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A Closer Look at Long-term Returns
In the annual Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (CCSF; the "Study") data was collected on longer-term returns for the first...
Higher Education Price Index Forecast August 2025
According to Commonfund Institute's latest update, the HEPI forecasts a 3.7 percent inflation rate for U.S. colleges and universities in fiscal year 2025. The latest forecast, based on data through... Learn More
Foundations' Endowed Portfolios Produced Double-Digit Investment Returns in 2024
Long-Term Return Data Also Positive Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study finds Outsourcing on the rise; gifts to community foundations increased Wilton, Conn. (August 27, 2025) — In the volatile...
Aligning Mission and Impact
Join hosts George Suttles, Executive Director, and Amanda Novello, Sr. Policy and Research Analyst, in this episode of "Espresso Chats," a series by the Commonfund Institute serving up strong, short...
Benchmarks for Boards
This paper attempts to serve as a guide for trustees and boards that aspire to excel, with particular emphasis on the board’s fiduciary role.
Striking the Balance: A Fiduciary Approach to Risk and Investment Policy
Discover how to effectively balance risk and return as a fiduciary in your investment portfolios.
Essential Not Optional: A Strategic Approach to Fundraising
Fundraising for endowments has become an essential strategic capability that endowed institutions will have to build or acquire in order to thrive.
The Investment Policy Statement - A Commonfund Whitepaper
Successful investing for long-term funds requires a strategic investment policy statement. The plan must be specific, yet it also needs to be flexible.
Mind the Gap: The Strategic Risk of Skipping a Vintage in Private Equity
Private equity (inclusive of buyouts, growth equity, and venture capital) remains a compelling long-term asset class, but recent periods of muted distributions and below-average returns have created...
Understanding Private Equity Investing in Environmental Sustainability
Investing in environmental sustainability can target sustainability-themed investments across a range of transaction types, from the early-stage opportunities in venture capital to growth equity &...
2025 Policy Landscape: Implications for Higher Education Endowments
Commonfund Institute hosted a timely and insightful conversation with leading policy experts in higher education. Panelists discussed the key impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill including revised...
Commonfund Benchmarks Study - Independent Schools
Access the Commonfund Benchmarks Study® for independent schools, featuring insights on investment strategies, governance, and responsible investing.
The Commonfund-FGA Benchmarking Study of Governance
This Commonfund-FGA Benchmarking Study of Governance in Higher Education assesses organizational governance structure and provides peer benchmarking analysis.
Tariff Worries Are Likely Here to Stay