Authored by: William Prout

Spending Policies and Practices: Fiscal Year 2022

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 endowment clients. Also included are analyses on the endowment’s support of operations and effective spending rate.

Annual Review of Endowments: Fiscal Year 2022

In fiscal year 2022, endowments faced a challenging market environment one year after they had seen the best investment returns in decades. Our annual report based on a survey administered to our endowment clients summarizes returns, asset allocation, and other investment-related data for 316 institutions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. We also review peer data on topics such as investment policy, portfolio manager structures, spending, and investment office staffing and governance.

College and University Investment Pool Returns: Fiscal Year 2022

Just one year after the best investment returns endowments had seen in decades, fiscal year 2022 brought about the most challenging market environment since the Global Financial Crisis of the late 2000s. Our annual survey-based report of 158 US colleges and universities includes commentary and analysis of investment performance, asset allocation, and related trends. We also review peer data on topics such as investment policy, portfolio manager structures, spending, and investment office staffing and governance.

College and University Flash Statistics Report: Fiscal Year 2022

The College and University Flash Statistics Report provides a first look at the results of our 2022 College and University Investment Pool Returns survey. Included in the report are investment pool returns and asset allocation for 158 colleges and universities. Look for our full annual analysis in the upcoming College and University Investment Pool Returns report to be published later this winter.

Endowments Quarterly: Second Quarter 2022

Most endowments and foundations are on pace for their lowest fiscal year (June 30) returns since 2009. The various methods for reporting private investments play a significant role in the range of returns we have seen across our preliminary universe thus far. Our quarterly report investigates this topic and summarizes preliminary June 30 asset allocation and total investment performance for 378 of Cambridge Associates’ US endowment and foundation clients.

Foundation Annual Investment Pool Returns: Calendar Year 2021

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.