POPULAR ARTICLES


Investment Strategy | Articles

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...

Perspectives | Press Releases

FY25 NACUBO-Commonfund Study Released

U.S. Higher Education Endowments Report Stable Returns, Increase Spending to $33.4 Billion in FY25 The NACUBO-Commonfund Study of 657 colleges and universities reports a 10-year average return of...

Investment Strategy | Videos

Understanding the Private Equity Secondaries Market

This Commonfund Institute Online video explores the evolving landscape of the private equity secondaries market, focusing on both Limited Partner (LP)- and General Partner (GP)-led transactions.

Stay connected with the Insights Blog



Market Commentary | Insights Blog

From Rate Cuts to Hikes: Supply-Driven Inflation’s Resurgence

Coming into 2026, investors had been positioned for an interest rate easing cycle. Markets are now pricing in multiple rate hikes into 2027, and Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller has said...
Mission-aligned Investing | Articles

Impact Investing: Putting the Whole Endowment to Work for the Mission

Drawn from the 2025 Council on Foundations–Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (CCSF) | Calendar Year 2025
Mission-aligned Investing | Podcasts

Making Sense of Mission-Aligned Investing for Endowments and Foundations

In this first episode of our new mission-aligned investing series, Amanda Novello, Associate Director at Commonfund Institute, sits down with guest Caroline Greer, Managing Director, Commonfund OCIO....
Perspectives | Press Releases

Commonfund Appoints Liz Clark as Executive Director of Commonfund Institute

Recognized higher education leader joins from NACUBO, bringing decades of experience in research, policy and institutional leadership Norwalk, CT, October 20, 2026 – Commonfund, a prominent...
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Community College Foundation Data Matters: CASE Takeaways

Takeaways from the CASE Conference for Community College Advancement
Investment Strategy | Insights Blog

Family Foundations Return 14.0%; Alternatives Allocations Shrink

The 2025 Council on Foundations–Commonfund Study shows double-digit returns across the board and a notable swing in how family foundations are positioned relative to their peers. The 2025 Council on...
Outsourced Cio | Press Releases

Commonfund OCIO Appoints Paula Robinson to Lead Public Equity Investment Programs

Appointment strengthens Commonfund OCIO's public equity investment capabilities and leadership team Norwalk, CT, October 14, 2026 – Commonfund OCIO, Commonfund’s Outsourced CIO solution for...
Mission-aligned Investing | Insights Blog

Climate Resilience Investing: Takeaways from Nest Climate Campus 2026

Climate resilience investing has moved from the margins to the center of the conversation. Climate Week discussions used to focus almost entirely on decarbonization pledges and green finance targets,...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Governing Through Complexity: Takeaways from the FAOG Annual Conference

The Finance, Administration and Operations Group for Community Foundations (FAOG) 2026 Annual Conference, held in Salt Lake City from September 20-23, highlighted a fundamental shift in community...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Investment Committee Governance: How to Steer, Not Manage

Process | Principle III | Principles of Investment Stewardship The word "governance" comes from a Greek term meaning "to steer." It's a fitting origin for investment committees, whose core...
Market Commentary | Articles

Beyond the Primary Commitment: Considering Private Market Secondaries

As private markets mature and liquidity needs evolve, secondaries have moved from an opportunistic trade to a standing allocation and an important portfolio construction tool for many institutional...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Impact Investing vs. ESG: Defining Mission-Aligned Investing

Ask ten investment professionals what "mission-aligned investing" means and you are likely to get ten different answers. Some will say environmental, social and governance (ESG). Others will say...