Research Publications Archive

Foundation Annual Investment Pool Returns: Calendar Year 2021

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Our annual survey-based report summarizes returns, asset allocation, and other investment-related data for 112 foundations for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021. Included in this year’s report are commentary and exhibits across six sections: Investment Portfolio Returns, Investment Policy, Portfolio Asset Allocation, Investment Manager Structures, Payout from the Long-Term Investment Portfolio, and Investment Office Staffing and Governance.

Review of Market Performance: Fiscal Year 2022

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Fiscal year 2022 was a challenging one for public market investments. Rising levels of inflation across most developed and emerging markets saw central banks become more aggressive in their monetary tightening plans. This in turn saw correlations between bonds and equities become positive; bonds declined as a direct result of higher inflation and tighter policy, while equities weakened in response to the higher cost of capital. This chart book presents returns and other market metrics for fiscal year 2022.

Implementing a Sustainable and Impact Investing Strategy – A Family Perspective

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In the second piece of our two-part series on philanthropy and impact investing, we take a closer look at portfolio implementation best practices for families. In doing so, we outline how families may wish to identify opportunities within sustainable and impact investing (SII) themes. We discuss the broad opportunity set, how to construct and then actively manage an investment portfolio of these strategies, and why families are well-positioned to deploy capital in this space.

Unblurring the Boundary Between Philanthropy and Impact Investing for Families

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In engaging with our family clients around the world, we are often asked for views on how to think about philanthropy versus impact investing and how to best implement a socially and/or environmentally impactful investment strategy. Common themes transcend these topics, but each is distinct, and we will outline our perspective in a two-part series. In this first piece, we discuss some of the motivations behind philanthropy and we review how philanthropy relates to impact investing.

Spending Policies and Practices: Fiscal Year 2021

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Annual distributions from the endowment are a source of supplemental operating revenue for most endowed institutions. An institution’s endowment spending policy provides a basis for the calculation of the annual distribution, serving as a bridge that links the long-term investment portfolio and the enterprise. The data and analysis in this report review the various spending rule types used among our endowed clients. Also included are analyses on the endowment’s support of operations and effective spending rate.

Healthcare System Investments: Play Defense Before Offense

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The COVID-19 pandemic financially shocked healthcare system enterprises and investment portfolios, but those shocks were short lived and the recovery was swift. However, challenges still exist as revenue and expense pressures weigh upon healthcare margins in 2022, and many elements of delivering healthcare have changed the way hospitals plan and prepare for the future. To implement a successful long-term investment program, the investment playbook may call for building a solid defense before playing offense in the implementation of a long-term investment strategy.

Foundation Annual Flash Statistics: Calendar Year 2021

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The Foundation Annual Flash Statistics Report provides a first look at the results of our 2021 Foundation Annual Investment Pool Returns survey. Included in the analysis are a summary of investment pool returns, asset allocation, and returns after spending for 111 foundations. Additionally, the report provides detailed data by institution on asset allocation. Look for our full annual analysis in the upcoming Foundation Annual Investment Pool Returns report.