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Governance And Policy | Insights Blog
5 Takeaways from the 2026 NACUBO Annual Meeting
If you've already read Inside Higher Ed's recap of the NACUBO Annual Meeting (held in Anaheim from July 18-21), "A Call to Meet the Moment at NACUBO,” you know federal policy uncertainty dominated...
Featured
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog
Philanthropy and Fundraising: Trends & Leadership Insights
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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
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.
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Featured
Governance and Policy | Insights Blog
Endowment Purpose and UPMIFA: What Nonprofit Boards Must Ask
Purpose | Principle I | Principles of Investment Stewardship The Question Every Endowment Fiduciary Should Be Asking For many nonprofit organizations, the endowment is the difference between... Learn More
Perspectives | Insights Blog
In Memoriam: Mamak Shahbazi
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Commonfund Board Member, Mamak Shahbazi. Mamak was a dedicated and talented board member and a great friend to the firm, its clients, and...
educational-endowments
Market Commentary | Insights Blog
Fiscal Year-End and Mid-Year 2025 Market and Investment Review
Institutional investors aim to construct long-term asset allocations to withstand bouts of short-term volatility and periods of market uncertainty. This concept was certainly tested in fiscal year...
Private Equity | Private Equity Insights
Understanding Buyouts and Growth Equity Investments
Buyouts and growth equity are two investment strategies within private equity that offer investors exposure to companies of differing scale. Buyouts often involve more complex restructuring and...
Perspectives | Insights Blog
Summer Literary Journeys: A Pathway of Pages into Growth, Grit, and Collective Imagination
Commonfund Institute is excited to share our annual summer reading list, thoughtfully curated with recommendations from our Commonfund colleagues. Inspired by the spirit of the summer solstice –...
Perspectives | Insights Blog
Investment Stewardship Academy: Takeaways for Navigating an Evolving Landscape
For over 30 years, Commonfund Institute has hosted the Investment Stewardship Academy (ISA) to bring institutional investors together to learn, collaborate, and better support the missions they...
Private Equity | Private Equity Insights
CF Private Equity Announces Leadership Changes
Ethan Levine appointed Head of Secondaries | Dan Connell elevated to Co-Head of Real Assets and Sustainability Wilton, CT, June 24, 2025: CF Private Equity, Inc. (CFPE) today announced that Ethan...
educational-endowments
Market Commentary | Podcasts
Is U.S. Exceptionalism Over? Tariffs, Deficits & Growth
Episode 7 Is U.S. exceptionalism over? In this episode, Julia Mord, the new Chief Investment Officer of Commonfund OCIO, takes over as host and welcomes Kris Kwait for one final conversation before...
educational-endowments
Governance And Policy | Podcasts
Navigating Governance and Leadership in Higher Education
Join hosts George Suttles, Executive Director, and Amanda Novello, Sr. Policy and Research Analyst, in the inaugural episode of "Espresso Chats," a series by the Commonfund Institute serving up...
Outsourced Cio | White Papers
Commonfund's Guide to Writing an OCIO RFP
Download our guide to writing an OCIO RFP and receive essential questions to effectively evaluate outsourcing your CIO for improved strategic focus.
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog
Tax Regime of Higher Education and Nonprofits Set to Change
On May 12th 2025, the House Ways and Means Committee released its budget proposal that includes major tax changes that, if passed, would apply to many endowments and foundations as described below....
Governance And Policy | White Papers
Endowment Spending - A Look Back
Gain a better understanding of how educational institutions evaluate spending policies today.
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Outsourced Cio | Insights Blog
Nonprofit-Dedicated OCIO
Providing nonprofits with customized investment strategies and specialized expertise, a nonprofit-dedicated OCIO can ensure mission-aligned financial stewardship. By concentrating on the nonprofit...
Mission-Aligned Investing for Endowments & Foundations