Custom Benchmarks In a previous article, Who Controls The Money?, we explored the case that a large part of investment performance is controlled by creating and implementing an investment policy statement (IPS). One factor we highlighted is the use of custom benchmarks. Custom benchmarks are largely the result of the increase in alternative assets. In effect the argument … [Read more...] about Benchmark Limbo. How Low Can You Go?
US Foundations Assets Hit $1 Trillion for the First Time!
The Trillion Dollar Milestone Over the past several years, US foundation assets have been steadily climbing. The combination of strong financial markets and substantial gifts over the past five years propelled total assets of US foundations to just over $1 trillion in fiscal 2017, breaking the trillion dollar mark for the first time ever. More importantly, grant … [Read more...] about US Foundations Assets Hit $1 Trillion for the First Time!
Risk & Return = Volatility and Performance
Risk & Return: Yale's Long Term Expectations By Asset Class Yale's endowment report is an incredible resource for investors. One reason it should be required reading for trustees is the excellent discussion on asset classes. In the report, Yale discloses it's long term real-return expectations by asset class. The purpose of including it in this article is to showcase … [Read more...] about Risk & Return = Volatility and Performance
Bird’s Eye View: Michigan
Every month, FoundationAdvocate ("FA") highlights a state by providing a brief overview of its foundations in terms of performance, fees, and asset allocation. Data on Pennsylvania foundations and other states can also be found at Top Ten. The opinions expressed are FA's. Michigan HighlightsPerformance In-Line with National MedianInvestment Expenses Middle of the … [Read more...] about Bird’s Eye View: Michigan
How Are Foundation’s Doing? May 2019 Topic: International a Drag
Every month, Foundation Advocate chooses one topic relating to foundation investment performance to highlight. This month we took a look at how international stock allocations have likely held back foundation performance. Why Haven't Foundations Done Better in this 10 Year Bull Market? Following the financial crisis, the US stock market has been on a pretty great … [Read more...] about How Are Foundation’s Doing? May 2019 Topic: International a Drag