Amidst the surge of headlines and market chatter, it can be challenging to cut through the noise and grasp what’s really happening in private markets — and what it means specifically for higher education portfolios. 

Mercer’s Matt Vokes, Cori Trautvetter, and Texas Hemmaplardh will explore the investment asset classes that are currently capturing the attention of colleges and universities. Together, they will analyze the key challenges, emerging opportunities, and strategic insights across alternative asset classes such as private equity, private debt, and real estate.

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This event is provided for general informational purposes only. The views expressed in the event are those of the event sponsor and/or individual speakers and not NACUBO. NACUBO does not necessarily endorse any information, views, products, or services discussed in the event.

January 28-30, 2026

CPE Available: Estimated 10 Credits in Accounting and Accounting Governmental

This program is a fantastic introduction for new professionals moving into higher education accounting as well as those individuals seeking to learn more about nonprofit and governmental accounting. This accounting and financial reporting workshop covers net asset classes, restrictions, endowments, investment pool unitization, grants and contributions, capital assets, debt, revenue recognition, expense reporting, and operating activities.

Attendees receive a thorough explanation of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidance relevant to higher education institutions. There is emphasis placed on preparing and understanding the financial statements as well as all external higher education reporting requirements. Concurrent operating and campus process panels allow faculty and attendees to focus on the public and not-for-profit/private sectors of higher education.

February 17-March 12, 2026

In conjunction with the release of the highly influential 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments, NACUBO will again offer a robust, online series diving deep into key endowment topics. Over the course of nine webinars, thought leaders from leading investment companies and higher education will share their expertise on current trends and challenging topics. This series is designed to be all-encompassing endowment education—from the basics to advanced, nuanced management questions. Participants will leave with insights into how to effectively manage their institution’s portfolio—and ideas for where to go next. 

Peruse the schedule for details about each webinar. Sessions are available à la carte or at a discount if you register for the full series. 

CPE Available: 9 Credits in Specialized Knowledge, Finance, and Information Technology

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Specialized Knowledge

Experts will cover how endowments are managed to provide a steady and reliable source of funding over the long term. This session will also explain the basic structure of endowment funds; laws governing endowments, donor restrictions and governance; investment management; and current economic and political pressures that impact endowments.  

After this webinar, you will be able to– 

• Understand why endowments are important for scholarships and student aid, university research, public service, and campus infrastructure 
• Recognize the long-term objectives of investment practices and policies 
• Compare the differences between in-house versus outsourced investment management 
• Explore current issues impacting endowments

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You may register for this webinar on its own, or register for the series.

Over the past quarter century, the endowment model has undergone a structural evolution shaped as much by the contraction of public markets as by the expansion of private ones. The last calendar year, 2025, in particular has tested the resilience of many endowment portfolios and higher education institutions. Governments have reduced their direct and indirect support; public capital markets have weathered substantial uncertainty; and private market distributions have remained subdued, creating pressure on cash flows. Endowment fiduciaries are reassessing asset allocation with fresh urgency. Join us to examine the longer-term evolution of both markets and endowment portfolios.  

 
After this webinar, you will be able to— 

• Explain the evolution of markets since the endowment model became widely adopted  

• Develop a deliberate diversification approach for endowment portfolios  

• Evaluate liquidity tiering for long-term portfolios and operating reserves  

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Finance

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You can register for this webinar on its own or register for the series.

Higher education is undergoing a period of transformation that will be shaped by evolving student expectations, the rise of hybrid learning formats, and accelerating technological change. As universities adapt, their endowments will continue to play a vital role in providing stability, fostering innovation, and sustaining long-term priorities. Drawing on BlackRock’s research paper, Meeting the Challenge of the New Regime in Endowment Portfolios, this session explores how institutions can reorganize their investment strategies while remaining aligned with the changing priorities of the universities they support. Attendees will learn how to implement dynamic portfolio construction, rethink diversification, leverage active management and alternatives, and align governance and risk frameworks to meet their long-term objectives. Endowment leaders will be given the practical tools and advice they need to manage through these structural shifts in global markets.    

After this webinar, you will be able to— 

• Explain Identify key characteristics of the new endowment investment regime 

• Apply dynamic asset allocation principles to institutional portfolios 

• Evaluate the role of active management and alternatives in enhancing investment performance 

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Finance

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You can register for this webinar on its own or register for the series.

With yields starting to come down, “safe” assets may no longer be safe for your endowment’s long-term health. The endowment can be better source of support for schools if liquidity is managed properly and with an eye toward long-term growth. This session challenges CFOs to rethink the role of cash and bonds, quantify the opportunity cost of excess liquidity, and explore the value of incorporating illiquid assets strategically. Participants will leave with actionable tools to assess how much liquidity is too much—and how to strike the right balance between stability today and sustainability tomorrow.   

After this webinar, you will be able to— 

• Understand how a lower interest rate environment will likely impact endowment liquidity, spending capacity, and long-term financial sustainability.  

• Use analytical tools to measure the opportunity cost of holding excess liquidity and its impact on endowment returns.  

• Comprehend strategies to align liquidity management with institutional risk tolerance, operational needs, and long-term growth objectives.  

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Finance

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You can register for this webinar on its own or register for the series.

Strong governance is essential for endowments navigating today’s uncertain environment. This session will help investment committees, boards, and senior staff assess their current governance structures, clarify fiduciary roles, and evaluate management models to ensure alignment with mission and long-term sustainability. Drawing on real-world examples from colleges and universities, speakers will explore how high-performing committees balance oversight and delegation, strengthen decision-making, and adapt policies for evolving needs. Attendees will gain practical insights and tools to refresh their governance approach—enhancing clarity, performance, and accountability across their endowment and investment programs.   

After this webinar, you will be able to— 

• Identify organizational fiduciary roles and responsibilities 

• Organize governance roles and structures that support endowment objectives 

• Detect what high performing oversight looks like 

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Business Management and Organization 

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You can register for this webinar on its own or register for the series.

With a new U.S. administration in office, continued geopolitical volatility, higher interest rates, sticky inflation, and pricey equity markets, many higher education endowments are facing a more complicated investment landscape. This session is designed to help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters most for your portfolio today. Speakers will explore emerging strategies, highlight how approaches may differ depending on endowment size, and offer practical ways to evaluate and explain portfolio shifts. The session will also help you consider how to evaluate whether your investments align with your institution’s spending needs, risk tolerance, and time horizon.   

After this webinar, you will be able to— 

• Identify new or evolving investment strategies 
  
• Determine strategies by endowment size 
• Evaluate portfolio changes 
• Communicate the merits of portfolio changes to key stakeholders 

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Finance

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You can register for this webinar on its own or register for the series.

In an evolving financial landscape where institutions find themselves with little financial flexibility, how can advancement teams collaborate with business officers and legal counsel to maximize the use of restricted resources? Panelists will share practical approaches for both loosening fund restrictions and leveraging restricted and internally committed balances to address financial needs. They will also cover effective strategies to engage stakeholders in deploying underutilized funds, developing contingency plans, and lessening the financial impact of recent federal directives. This session will conclude with a discussion on innovative uses of AI that can help ensure fund deployment aligns with donor intent and enhances institutional financial resilience.  

After this webinar, you will be able to— 

• Identify the root causes for underutilization of restricted funds 

• Apply best practices for managing restricted funds to ensure compliance, optimize financial resources, and build long-term institutional resilience 

• Determine how AI tools can assist the efficient deployment of restricted funds 

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Finance

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You can register for this webinar on its own or register for the series.

In an evolving financial landscape where institutions find themselves with little financial flexibility, how can advancement teams collaborate with business officers and legal counsel to maximize the use of restricted resources? Panelists will share practical approaches for both loosening fund restrictions and leveraging restricted and internally committed balances to address financial needs. They will also cover effective strategies to engage stakeholders in deploying underutilized funds, developing contingency plans, and lessening the financial impact of recent federal directives. This session will conclude with a discussion on innovative uses of AI that can help ensure fund deployment aligns with donor intent and enhances institutional financial resilience.  

After this webinar, you will be able to— 

• Identify the root causes for underutilization of restricted funds 

• Apply best practices for managing restricted funds to ensure compliance, optimize financial resources, and build long-term institutional resilience 

• Determine how AI tools can assist the efficient deployment of restricted funds 

CPE Available: 1 Credit in Finance

This webinar is part of the 2026 Endowment Leadership Series. You can register for this webinar on its own or register for the series.