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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
Real Estate Today … and the Trends Likely To Shape Tomorrow
As it burst onto the world scene in 2020, COVID-19 impacted asset classes and investment strategies across the board. While real estate was no exception, the industry managed a generally strong...
Diversifying Your Fixed Income Portfolio With a Private Credit Allocation
Inflation, rising interest rates, inversion in the yield curve and the war in Ukraine combined to make 1Q22 a challenge for many asset classes and strategies. While there was the isolated shelter...
The Great Reset: The Emerging Age of Re-imagination, Reconnection and Renewal – and Generation RE
A great reset is now upon us. Less obvious is the reality that the world was quietly being reset prior to the pandemic. The rules of business were being rewritten by an extraordinary cadre of...
Are Stagflation Fears Justified?
Stagflation fears are growing among investors as inflation recently accelerated at the same time 2022 GDP growth projections declined due to weaker consumer sentiment and increased risk aversion. A...
Is your Spending Policy Getting the Attention it Needs?
Spending policy is the most overlooked aspect of endowment management and many are likely not employing the optimal calculation for their institution. Many investment committees review "strategic...
CIO Roundtable
Fiduciaries are entrusted with fulfilling their organization’s mission largely through effective stewardship of financial assets. In the 50+ years since Commonfund was founded, perpetual investing...
Commonfund Survey Finds Institutional Investors Increasingly Cautious Amid Heightened Economic Risks
Institutional investors representing $170 billion in total assets cite inflation and geopolitical tensions as top economic concerns for 2022 Majority of investors expect lower-than-average U.S. stock...
Viewpoint: The Move in Marketable Alternative Strategies
In the 2021 Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Independent schools we continue to see the allocation to marketable alternative strategies decline, raising questions about why and whether it will...
Forum 2022 Key Statistics [Infographic]
Commonfund recently hosted its 24th annual Commonfund Forum, March 16-18th, in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together institutional investors to engage in a three-day conference to explore...
Teresa C. Younger, CEO, Ms. Foundation for Women
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Allison Kaspriske, Director, Commonfund Institute and Nicole Melwood, Director, Commonfund, interview Teresa Younger, President and CEO of the Ms. Foundation...
Viewpoint: The Short and Long of It
There’s a lot to consider in each annual Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Independent Schools, e.g., asset allocation, spending, gifts and donations, responsible investing and more. This year is no...
Is this Time Different? Risk Assets and Real Rate Moves
February ended in the same fashion as January, with elevated volatility across a wide spectrum of asset classes. Equities, fixed income, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies all swung...
Beyond the Primary Commitment: Considering Private Market Secondaries