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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

FY24 NACUBO-Commonfund Study Released

U.S. Higher Education Endowments Report 6.8% 10-Year Average Annual Return, Increase Spending to a Collective $30.0 Billion Annual NACUBO-Commonfund Study shows participating institutions spent...

Investment Strategy | Videos

Chief Investment Officers Share Their Thoughts at Forum 2025

Commonfund hosted its annual Commonfund Forum 2025, March 9-11th, in Orlando, Florida. The agenda included a range of sessions on relevant topics for institutional investors. This Forum Spotlight...

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Governance And Policy | Podcasts

Insights on Private Equity and Market Trends

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...
Private Equity | Private Equity Insights

Understanding the Venture Capital Investment Opportunity

Venture capital (VC) has long been a powerful engine for innovation, fueling the growth of transformative companies and shaping entire industries. From prior technology platform shifts – such as the...
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

AI and the Productivity Paradox: Are We Finally Seeing the Payoff?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) remains the most compelling theme in global markets today. With OpenAI and Anthropic recently valued at $300 billion and $183 billion, respectively, and tech giants, like...
Outsourced Cio | Insights Blog

Growing Use of OCIO by Private and Community Foundations

In the annual Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (CCSF; the "Study") data show concerns are rising regarding the ability to...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Themes from the 2025 FAOG Conference for Community Foundations

Last week in Oklahoma City the 2025 FAOG (Finance, Administration & Operations Group) Conference convened experts and over 300 delegates from community foundations around the country to explore the...
Perspectives | Insights Blog

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...
Investor Spotlight | Spotlight

Innovative Community Health in Southeast Idaho

Portneuf Health Trust is forging a new path that serves as an example of the power of aligning mission and money for the greater good.
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Study of Foundations - Key Highlights [Infographic] 2024

In this infographic, we report the key highlights from the 2024 Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Foundations. For the year ended December 31, 2024, participating foundations produced...
Perspectives | Index

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...
Perspectives | Press Releases

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...
Governance And Policy | Podcasts

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...
Investment Strategy | White Papers

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.