The National Association of College and University Business Officers' (NACUBO's) "Guide to Unitizing Investment Pools" addresses the principles and concepts for administering a consolidated investment pool. Unitization is the mechanism by which investment funds are pooled to maximize investment efficiencies and provide information for donors,…

To many honors administrators, fundraising is alien and frightening. This monograph is directed primarily to honors deans and directors, who have widely varying experience with fundraising. It may also be useful reading for those staff members, faculty, and development officers who have some responsibility for honors fundraising. It focuses on…

"A Guide to Fundraising at Historically Black Colleges and Universities" is a comprehensive, research-based work that brings the best practices and expertise of seminal professionals to the larger Black college environment and beyond. Drawing on data-driven advice from interviews with successful Black college fundraisers and private sector…

Alternative investments (those that exhibit risk and return properties not easily attainable from traditional asset classes) constitute an investment option that no modern college or university investment strategist can ignore. Colleges and universities with larger allocations to alternatives outperformed institutions with smaller allocations in…

Higher education institutions can break away from conventional treatment of endowment funds and manage growth by (1) careful investment with a balance of shrewd audacity and protection from economic downturns; (2) clarifying their aims for endowment management; and (3) developing a comprehensive plan of endowment growth to match institutional…

Discusses why volatile markets and new donor expectations make now a good time to rework payout rates and gift agreements to bolster financial and strategic performance. Suggests seven options for action. (EV)

Advice on college and university endowment investing includes a general recommendation for caution and restraint and specific suggestions for approaching popular economic forecasts and assumptions, incentive fees, risk diversification, foreign options, especially in Europe, and energy investment. (MSE)

Identifies various roles of a college or university's endowment fund, such as serving as a rainy day fund, funding one-time capital requirements, and enhancing program quality. Considers implications of various roles for asset allocation and endowment spending. (DB)

This guide is intended to assist directors and board members of foundations affiliated with public institutions as they manage investments and assets of their institution. Introductory information notes duties of foundation directors and legal criteria for prudent investing under the Uniform Prudent Investor Act. Suggestions for developing…

In part one of a two-part series, a mathematician and former college president looks at how best to utilize and invest endowments. Consideration of the needed and desirable percentage return on investments is discussed. (MSE)

Discusses why current economic pressures intensify the long-standing need for active orientation and education programs for incoming investment committee members. Describes knowledge necessary for such members. (EV)

College and university business officers are encouraged to implement an endowment distribution method that increases the amount distributed by a fixed annual percentage based on asset mix, inflation, and expected return. Such a payout system provides a predictable, steadily increasing level of endowment income yet maintains the purchasing power of…

Based on an annual endowment study, experts at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Endowment Forum examine today's uncertain financial picture and discuss the pros and cons of hedge funds, private equity, and fund of funds. (EV)

A stewardship report, a well-done report sent regularly to give a donor information on the use of a gift, assures the donor that the institution appreciates the gift and the giver. Some techniques are given for making stewardship reports as effective as possible. (MLW)

A guide for individuals with fiduciary responsibility for investments offers both general and specific recommendations for assessing and making financial decisions, including steps to take and questions to ask concerning quantitative analyses. Focus is on the role of the college or university trustees in managing endowment funds. (MSE)