Empowering Community Colleges Through NCSE Participation

Recorded On: 09/17/2025

Community colleges educate more than 4 million students—more than one quarter of all undergraduates in the U.S. Yet, the vital role that community college endowments and foundations play in supporting these students is often ignored. NACUBO and Commonfund’s 2025 Endowment Study Webinar Series explores findings from the 2024 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE) and shares valuable insights and benchmarking data that focus on the unique roles and challenges facing these institutions as they leverage endowment funds to support their mission and students.

Speakers:

  • Gretchen Wood, Oswego University Foundation, Inc., Monroe Community College
  • Allison Kaspriske, Managing Director, Commonfund Institute
  • Ken Redd, Senior Director, Research and Policy Analysis, NACUBO

Ken Redd

Senior Director, Research and Policy Analysis

NACUBO

Kenneth E. Redd is senior director, research and policy analysis for NACUBO. At NACUBO, Redd directs the annual NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments, the NACUBO Tuition Discounting Study, and other studies on higher education finance issues.

In addition to his work at NACUBO, Redd also serves on the board of trustees for the Meadville Lombard School of Theology in Chicago, IL, and is a member of the board of directors for the Unitarian Universalist Common Endowment Fund (UUCEF) and the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE).

Redd has a master’s degree in public affairs from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. 

Allison Kaspriske

Managing Director

Commonfund Institute

Allison Kaspriske leads the development and management of key research initiatives, including the Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Independent Schools (CSIS), the Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Foundations® (CCSF) and the NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE). She is responsible for expanding and deepening strategic partnerships to strengthen the firm’s visibility and deliver valuable insights to the broader investment and nonprofit segments. Allison also oversees the Institute’s educational offerings, including Commonfund Institute Online and the Investment Stewardship Academy, and plays a central role in creating new tools and resources that leverage benchmark data and thought leadership. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Gretchen D. Wood

Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Executive Director, MCC Foundation

Monroe Community College

Gretchen Wood, CFRE, is Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Monroe Community College and Executive Director of the MCC Foundation. She leads strategic fundraising efforts and oversees key institutional departments supporting college effectiveness and accountability. With over 20 years in nonprofit advancement, Gretchen holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management from SUNY Brockport and a BA from Syracuse University. She serves on national committees for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and the Association of Governing Boards (AGB), and is a frequent conference presenter. Her accolades include the CASE Commonfund College and University Foundation Award (2025), AFP’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award (2023), and the Rochester Business Journal Women of Excellence Award (2019).

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2025 Endowment Study Affinity Groups Webinar Series: Empowering Community Colleges Through NCSE Participation
09/17/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 09/17/2025
09/17/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 09/17/2025 The Zoom room will open 15 minutes before the start time. To enter the room, click "Enter Webinar"
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