COMMONFUND AND THE COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS JOIN FORCES TO CREATE A NEW STUDY ON THE INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RETURNS OF PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS

The Council on Foundations and Commonfund Institute today announced that they are combining resources to create a new study of private U.S. foundations. The 2012 Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Investments for Private Foundations (to be known by the abbreviation CCSF) will set a new standard for investment research in the private foundation sector, covering a broad range of topics including investment returns, portfolio management, asset allocation, spending rate and policy, debt, fees and expenses, liquidity, investment office staffing, consultant use and investment committees. Private foundations of all sizes from across the U.S. will be included in the study. Findings will be gathered using an online survey instrument and will cover calendar year 2012 (ended December 31, 2012).

The CCSF will replace the private foundations edition of the annual Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Foundations; the annual Council on Foundations Management Surveys will remain unchanged.

“We are very excited by our partnership with the Council on Foundations and the inaugural 2012 CCSF” said John S. Griswold, Executive Director, Commonfund Institute. “This is an historic opportunity for us to combine resources with the authoritative voice in the private foundation community and to offer trustees and staff a comprehensive analysis of private foundation investment policies and practices.”

“Our partnership with Commonfund will provide our private foundation members with access to valuable data that will help them better manage their assets,” said Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO, Council on Foundations. “We see this partnership as an excellent opportunity to provide our private foundation members with the opportunity to benefit from understanding the investment practices and returns of their peers.  Our overall goal is to help our membership to advance their missions.”

The initial Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investments for Private Foundations(CCSF) report will be made available to all participants. The data will be segmented by foundation size.  The report will also include a comprehensive written analysis setting the data in the context of the current financial environment and recent trends.

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About Commonfund Institute
Commonfund Institute houses the education and research activities of Commonfund and provides the entire community of long-term investors with investment information and professional development programs. Commonfund Institute is dedicated to the advancement of investment knowledge and the promotion of best practices in financial management. In addition to teaming with the Council on Foundations to produce the CCSF, Commonfund also produces the NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE) and the Commonfund Benchmarks Study series of research reports.  Commonfund Institute also provides a wide variety of resources, including conferences, seminars and roundtables on topics such as endowments and treasury management; proprietary and third-party research and publications, including the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI); and events such as the annual Commonfund Forum and Commonfund Endowment Institute.

About Commonfund
Founded in 1971, Commonfund is devoted to enhancing the financial resources of long-term investors including nonprofit institutions, pension plans and family offices through superior fund management, investment advice and treasury operations. Directly or through its subsidiaries—Commonfund Capital and Commonfund Asset Management Company—Commonfund manages nearly $25 billion for about 1,500 clients. Commonfund, together with its subsidiary companion organizations, offers more than 30 different investment programs. All securities are distributed through Commonfund
Securities, Inc. For additional information about Commonfund, please visit www.commonfund.org.

About The Council on Foundations
The Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), formed in 1949, is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. Members of the Council include more than 1,700 independent, operating, community, public and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and abroad. The Council’s mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.