Endowment and foundation 2021 annual survey

March 2022

In the fourth quarter of 2021, Meketa Investment Group surveyed a group of endowments and foundations to understand what changes were made during 2021, with a particular focus on what impact COVID – 19 had on operations and investment decision-making.

  • Responses came from a broad range of institutions: private foundations, community foundations, higher education endowments and other non-profits.
  • Donations were up in 2021 versus 2020.
  • Most investment staff have returned to the office, but Investment Committee meetings are often still virtual. Most organizations are allowing visitors to the office and not requiring staff to get vaccinated.
  • Most institutions have a spending rate between 4-5%.
  • Most organizations have not made meaningful changes to their investment approach.