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Investment Committee Governance: How to Steer, Not Manage
Process | Principle III | Principles of Investment Stewardship The word "governance" comes from a Greek term meaning "to steer." It's a fitting origin for investment committees, whose core...
The Endowment Model - Building Resilient Portfolios for an Enduring Mission
Drawn from the 2025 Council on Foundations–Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (CCSF) | Calendar Year 2025 Learn More
Is There Method in the Madness of Today’s Crypto Market Chaos?
In recent months crypto markets have experienced extreme volatility and drawdowns, and it is self-evident that the next “crypto winter,” or prolonged bearish period, is upon us. However, these price...
Melissa Madzel, Managing Partner of Axis Talent Partners and Board Member of Stonewall Community Foundation
In celebration of Pride Month, Commonfund Institute Executive Director, George Suttles, interviews Melissa Madzel, Managing Partner of Axis Talent Partners and Board Member of Stonewall Community...
Aligning Spending Policy with Your Institution’s Long-Term Goals
Commonfund has designed a set of questions to help guide a committee—and staff—toward selecting the most appropriate spending policy. We have used these questions as a guideline for conversations...
Endowment Management: The Business of Independent Schools
Commonfund is proud to contribute a chapter to NBOA’s new book “The Business of Independent Schools – A Leader’s Guide” – a new edition of “By the Numbers and Beyond.” This publication provides...
Don’t Let Inflation be a One-Two Punch for Your Endowment
Investment committees overseeing the endowments of higher ed institutions need to think about inflation for two fundamental reasons.
Private Equity: Responding Tactically, Changing Strategically
The current year has seen an enormous amount of change packed into a few months: breakout inflation, rising interest rates, war in Ukraine, COVID mutations and stubborn supply chain problems. We know...
Measuring Success with Private Equity
In early May, Commonfund had the opportunity to participate in the NACUBO Endowment Leadership Series by delivering a virtual learning session entitled, “Measuring Success with Private Equity”. The...
Diversity and Diversification: The People Edge in Portfolios
Can diverse people managing investment portfolios deliver an edge in performance? A growing body of research shows that diverse managers—defined by gender, race, ethnicity or other...
The “Divorcification” of Stocks and Bonds
It has been a difficult start for traditional portfolios of stocks and bonds in 2022 as the usual diversification benefits of these asset classes have failed to materialize. As high inflation remains...
21st CASE Commonfund College and University Foundation Award
Since 2001, the CASE Commonfund College and University Foundation Award has recognized individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the college and university foundation field.
In Remembrance: Laurance (Laurie) R. Hoagland, Jr.
The Commonfund community was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Laurie Hoagland. Laurie served as a member of the Commonfund Board from 2000-2012 and was Board Chair from 2010-2012.
Accessing Sustainable Opportunities Through Private Equity Strategies
Institutional investors around the world have appropriately turned their attention to the sustainability of their investment portfolios. Investors have pivoted from discussion to action as generally...
Beyond the Primary Commitment: Considering Private Market Secondaries