Foundation Portfolios Fell Modestly in the Fourth Quarter The Grantmaker Investment Value Index (“GIV”) was essentially flat in the fourth quarter, bringing year-to-date performance to 13.4%. Foundation investment performance annualized at 6.9% per year for the ten years ended December 31, 2024, ahead of the required 5% payout ratio, though well below the 60/40 mix […]

FoundationMark models indicate that U.S. foundations’ assets rose by nearly $170 billion, or about 11.5%, in 2024 pushing assets to $1.64 trillion.  Foundation asset levels are a function of three variables: incoming contributions, outgoing grants and expenses, and investment performance. The Grantmaker Investment Value (“GIV”) Index gained 13.4% year-to-date, correspondingly investment performance accounted for most […]

Disbursements Projected to Increase 6.6% in 2024 Disbursement projections are a function of two variables; 1) asset level, and 2) payout ratio.  Estimated September 2024 foundation assets reached a record $1.64 trillion, up $170 billion from 2023. Based on the two important caveats (see box) regarding asset levels and payout ratios that we highlight, we […]