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Diversity | Articles

Affirmative Action: Implications for Endowments, Foundations, and the Broader Industry

Affirmative action, a practice used since the 1960s to edge toward equity and address historical and ongoing injustice through higher education attainment, was struck down last month by the Supreme...
Perspectives | Press Releases

2023 HEPI Report Released

Inflation for U.S. Higher Education Institutions Rises 4.0% in Fiscal 2023, Down from Fiscal 2022 Rate WILTON, Conn., December 13, 2023 – Data from the annual Commonfund Higher Education Price Index®...
Perspectives | Videos

FY2022 Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Foundations Highlights

In a recent webinar, Commonfund Institute and the Council on Foundations reviewed the highlights from the 2022 Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Foundations.

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Investment Strategy | Insights Blog

Viewpoint | Top Concerns for Independent Schools

For the first time since the inception of the Study, the FY2023 Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Independent Schools (CSIS) report asked respondents to identify the top concerns for their... Learn More
Private Equity | Private Equity Insights

Not Your Grandfather’s Farm: Emerging Opportunities in an Often-Overlooked Sector

The Rationale for Investing in Agriculture: Growth, Diversification, Sustainability, Inflation Hedge Commonfund Forum 2024 convened a panel to examine emerging trends and opportunities for private...
Investment Strategy | Private Equity Insights

CF Private Equity Closes its 4th Secondaries Fund at $1.1 BN

Commonfund Capital Secondary Partners IV, L.P. significantly exceeded its $750 million target.
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

The Economic Equation: Solving for the Unknowns

2 + 2 = ? In the world of economics—a lot of variables may mess with the answer. Two sessions early in the agenda at Commonfund Forum 2024 brought into focus the range of scenarios in play for...
Perspectives | Press Releases

Commonfund Survey Finds Investors Remain Optimistic in 2024

Institutional Investors Remain Optimistic in 2024 Despite Macroeconomic Headwinds, Commonfund’s Annual Market Sentiment Survey Finds Seventy seven percent of institutional investors surveyed...
Investment Strategy | Insights Blog

Viewpoint | The Main Purpose of Independent School Endowments

The FY2023 Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Independent Schools (CSIS) prompted survey respondents to select the main purpose of their school’s endowment for the first time.
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Commonfund Forum 2024: 5 Key Takeaways

Commonfund Forum 2024 brought together 500+ attendees representing institutions with $890 billion in endowed assets in a 2.5-day conference. The event, themed “With Intention”, featured a...
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Forum 2024 Key Statistics [Infographic]

Commonfund recently hosted its 26th annual Commonfund Forum, March 10th-12th, in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together institutional investors to engage in a three-day conference to explore...
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Study of Independent Schools - Key Highlights [Infographic] 2023

For fiscal year 2023, independent schools reported an average return (net of fees) on their endowment assets of 9.2 percent. In this infographic, we report the key highlights from the 2023 Commonfund...
Market Commentary | Private Equity Insights

Opportunities in Sustainability Private Investing

Global macroeconomic trends signal an increased level of investment in the climate and energy transition sectors, despite broader market volatility over the past few years, as investors aim to seize...
Market Commentary | Private Equity Insights

Cash is Queen

2023 was the lowest year in 10 years for U.S. private equity distributions.1 Without the cash from exits, private equity investors are struggling to commit to new private equity funds. Lessons...
Diversity | Spotlight

Grain Management: Three Questions with David Grain

Commonfund OCIO Managing Director, Paul Von Steenburg, interviews David Grain, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Grain Management in this Commonfund Manager Spotlight.
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Study of Endowments - Key Highlights [Infographic] 2023

For fiscal year 2023, U.S. higher education endowments reported an average return (net of fees) on their endowment assets of 7.7 percent. In this infographic, we report the key highlights from the...