Research Center
Select a Topic:
.svg){kind=icon}
The Other Side of the Liquidity Equation: What Semi-Liquid Funds Cost You on Day One
The focus on how capital can come back from a semi-liquid fund often overshadows an equally important question: the impact on liquidity the moment capital goes in. That asymmetry leads to an...
How do Endowments Work? Common Misconceptions
In recent months, institutional endowments, particularly those within higher education, have been subject to heightened scrutiny. This attention has, at times, created tension and contributed to the... Learn More
The Case for the Seventh P: Progression in Nonprofit Investment Stewardship
At Commonfund Institute, we’ve long adhered to the six guiding principles of nonprofit investment stewardship, often referred to as the "6 Ps": Purpose, Policy, Process, Portfolio, People, and...
Key Takeaways: 2026 Investment Stewardship Academy
The 2026 Investment Stewardship Academy, hosted by Commonfund Institute from June 7–10 on Yale University’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut, brought together institutional investors, foundation...
Higher Education Price Index Forecast June 2026
According to Commonfund Institute's latest update, HEPI forecasts a 3.4 percent inflation rate for U.S. colleges and universities in fiscal year 2026. The latest forecast, based on data through June...
AI's Productivity Payoff Is Here
When ChatGPT launched in late 2022 and the AI revolution took off, the central question was about whether the staggering sums being invested would ever fulfill the promise of boosting productivity.
Higher Education Endowment Return Assumptions in a Changing Environment
Many colleges, universities, and nonprofit institutions built long-term endowment portfolios on assumptions about investment returns, donor giving, and federal support that once enabled confident...
Interval Funds and Semi-Liquid Structures: How Liquid Are They Really?
The case for interval funds and other semi-liquid vehicles is straightforward: access to private markets without a ten-year lockup, and the appeal of periodic liquidity. It's a compelling pitch. It...
Religious K-12 Schools: Endowment Trends and Performance
Earlier this year, Commonfund Institute released the 21st annual Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Independent Schools (“CSIS” or the “Study”), reporting on key investment governance trends and insights...
Endowment Performance & Practices of Carnegie-Classified Institutions
Earlier this year, Commonfund, in partnership with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), released the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE). The...
Principles of Investment Stewardship for Nonprofit Organizations
Explore essential investment stewardship principles for nonprofit organizations, focusing on the six principles for effective decision making.
Religious-Affiliated Higher Ed: Endowment Performance & Investment Practices
Earlier this year, Commonfund, in partnership with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), released the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE). The...
Performance and Practices of Smaller Institutions in the NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments
Earlier this year, Commonfund, in partnership with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), released the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE, or,...
AI in Venture Capital: Separating Hype from Opportunity
Join host Amanda Novello, Sr. Policy and Research Analyst, in this episode of "Espresso Chats," a series by the Commonfund Institute serving up strong, short shots of governance and leadership...
Why 30-Year Treasury Yields Are at 2007 Highs — And What It Means for Your Portfolio