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Investing in Real Assets and Sustainability
In a session hosted by the Commonfund Institute, Ethan Levine and Dan Connell, managing directors of CF Private Equity's real assets and sustainability team, discuss the importance of investing in...
Private Markets Year in Review and 2026 Outlook
As we enter our 38th year, we write to share with you our year-end letter and observations of what may be ahead in 2026 in the private equity investment environment. Learn More
Foundations' Endowed Portfolios Produced Double-Digit Investment Returns in 2024
Long-Term Return Data Also Positive Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study finds Outsourcing on the rise; gifts to community foundations increased Wilton, Conn. (August 27, 2025) — In the volatile...
Aligning Mission and Impact
Join hosts George Suttles, Executive Director, and Amanda Novello, Sr. Policy and Research Analyst, in this episode of "Espresso Chats," a series by the Commonfund Institute serving up strong, short...
Benchmarks for Boards
This paper attempts to serve as a guide for trustees and boards that aspire to excel, with particular emphasis on the board’s fiduciary role.
Striking the Balance: A Fiduciary Approach to Risk and Investment Policy
Discover how to effectively balance risk and return as a fiduciary in your investment portfolios.
Essential Not Optional: A Strategic Approach to Fundraising
Fundraising for endowments has become an essential strategic capability that endowed institutions will have to build or acquire in order to thrive.
The Investment Policy Statement - A Commonfund Whitepaper
Successful investing for long-term funds requires a strategic investment policy statement. The plan must be specific, yet it also needs to be flexible.
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...
Tariff Worries Are Likely Here to Stay
Over the last five months, tariffs have fluctuated as deadlines have come and gone. Deals have gotten done, the frameworks of deals have been announced and for countries less willing to negotiate,...
Understanding Private Equity Investing in Environmental Sustainability
Investing in environmental sustainability can target sustainability-themed investments across a range of transaction types, from the early-stage opportunities in venture capital to growth equity &...
2025 Policy Landscape: Implications for Higher Education Endowments
Commonfund Institute hosted a timely and insightful conversation with leading policy experts in higher education. Panelists discussed the key impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill including revised...
Commonfund Benchmarks Study - Independent Schools
Access the Commonfund Benchmarks Study® for independent schools, featuring insights on investment strategies, governance, and responsible investing.
The Commonfund-FGA Benchmarking Study of Governance
This Commonfund-FGA Benchmarking Study of Governance in Higher Education assesses organizational governance structure and provides peer benchmarking analysis.
The New Era of Market Concentration