Diversification Challenges
As investors prepare for the next equity market downturn, they should take a closer look at the benefits and limits of diversification.
September 2019
Behavioral Roadblocks
Bear markets often trigger emotional responses that can sometimes lead investors to act contrary to their long-term objectives; as such they need simple strategies to help overcome their worst instincts.
September 2019
Playing Offense
Investors should review existing policies regarding portfolio rebalancing and tactical asset allocation and ensure they have a strategy to play offense during the next downturn.
September 2019
Community Foundations: The Power of Aggregated Capital
Community foundation assets have grown steadily over the years, accumulating a mix of endowment funds and funds with more expedient spend-down expectations. With the right expertise and attention, the endowment model can be applied to these complex, dynamic assets to differentiate the foundation and deliver on its mission.
August 2019
Proposed Tax on Endowment Income Would Mean Difficult Choices for Many Schools
College and university leaders are paying close attention to the tax plans moving through the Senate and House. As currently written, both proposals would levy a 1.4% tax on net investment income earned during the tax year for private colleges and universities. The House version proposed the tax be applied to schools with assets of at […]
December 2017
Funding Development for Public Universities
Investing in revenue development and fundraising while simultaneously pursuing goals for asset growth is a balancing act. Public universities commonly draw from a combination of three funding sources—the university’s centralized operating budget, gift fees, and administrative fees charged against the endowment—to help pay for the growing costs of development efforts. However, determining the right mix […]
August 2017
Can College and University Endowments Do More?
Recent policy proposals assume endowments can do more to reduce the reliance on student revenue, and thus the cost of a college education. These proposals aim to shift more endowment wealth to current student beneficiaries. Our analysis shows that while well intentioned, these proposals will affect endowment and organizational stability and intergenerational equity. While endowments may be able to do more to support the enterprise and thus lower the cost of attendance, considering the implications of current policy proposals is critical, as is examining other strategies that could address current pricing concerns.
June 2017
Mission-Related Investing: Current Practices and Views of Non-Profit Investors
Investor approaches to mission-related investing (MRI) are as varied as the social and environmental outcomes they seek to achieve. This survey report explores trends in the structure and implementation of MRI programs, investor motivations and perceived challenges, and expectations for future growth in MRI investment activity, based on responses from 159 non-profit clients, 50 of which are actively making mission-related investments.
February 2017