Research Center
Select a Topic:
Featured
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...
Featured
Investment Strategy | Articles
The Endowment Model - Building Resilient Portfolios for an Enduring Mission
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
Featured
Governance and Policy | Podcasts
AI Considerations in Portfolio Management: A CIO’s View
In this episode of Espresso Chats, Commonfund Institute's Amanda Novello, Associate Director, sits down with Julia Mord, Chief Investment Officer at Commonfund OCIO, to close out our AI investment... Learn Moreeducational-endowments
Outsourced Cio | Press Releases
Commonfund OCIO Names Julia Mord Chief Investment Officer
Mord will also serve as Chair of Commonfund OCIO’s Investment and Asset Allocation Committees and as a member of the Commonfund OCIO Executive Group WILTON, CT, February 5, 2025 – Commonfund OCIO,...
Investment Strategy | Insights Blog
Determinants of Portfolio Returns – It Depends…
Asset allocation decisions have traditionally been associated with being the major determinant of portfolio returns. The Brinson, Hood, Beebower study of 19861 estimated that nearly 90 percent of...
Market Commentary | Insights Blog
The Housing Market Paradox
The U.S. housing market stands at a critical juncture as sectors adjust to the anticipated Trump administration. While various industries are pricing in different expectations, housing faces unique...
Diversity | Insights Blog
Commonfund’s Investments with Diverse Managers Continue to Grow
Commonfund continues to build exposure to diverse managers1 as a source of return and diversification for our clients. In 2024, we closed the year with allocations to 50 different diverse managers,...
Perspectives | Insights Blog
Winter Wonders: Warming Reads for the Season
Commonfund Institute is excited to share our annual winter reading list, curated by our colleagues. These selections explore themes of personal transformation, resilience, and identity with stories...
Mission-aligned Investing | Insights Blog
Responsible Investing: Terminology and Background
In recent years there has been a rise in available investment strategies and governance considerations to help investors adapt to evolving challenges in the responsible investing space. Norms and...
Private Equity | Private Equity Insights
Edging Out the Competition – The Sector Specialist Advantage
Unlike the early days of private equity, when generalist private equity firms predominately relied on financial engineering to generate returns, today’s competitive markets require a much deeper...
foundations
Investment Strategy | Videos
Investing in the Creative Economy - Commonfund Coffee Talk
Investing in the Creative Economy In this Commonfund Coffee Talk, the Institute’s executive director, George Suttles, is joined by Upstart Co-Lab founding partner, Laura Callanan, to discuss impact...
educational-endowments
Market Commentary | Insights Blog
U.S. Trade Deficit Reaches Record High Amid Global Trade Shifts
As of September 2024, the U.S. trade deficit stands at $84.4 billion, marking the highest level since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. During that period in the conflict, the deficit...
educational-endowments
Outsourced Cio | Insights Blog
Understanding OCIO Partnerships: Key Insights and Best Practices
A Chief Investment Office “down the hall.” That’s what we aim to be at Commonfund. Our Mission As an OCIO, our goals are aligned with the institutions we work with and focused on how we can best...
educational-endowments
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog
Three Things You Should Know About Inflation and the Higher Education Price Index
The Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), produced annually by Commonfund Institute, is an inflation measure designed specifically for educational institutions. It is comprised of eight key components...
Investment Strategy | Private Equity Insights
Approach to Sustainability Assessment and Reporting
In recent years, sustainability-focused investing has taken on many names and has been at the center of polarizing political conversations. CF Private Equity’s approach to mandates surrounding...
The State as a Shareholder: Government Equity Stakes