UU Common Endowment Fund: 2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities
2025 was a strong and formative year for the UU Common Endowment Fund (UUCEF). With the oversight of the Investment Committee, the diligence of NEPC, and the work of UUA Finance and the UUA Investment Office, the Fund advanced both competitive performance and deep values alignment.
2025 at a Glance
- Performance: Through November 2025, UUCEF returned +12.9% net of fees, competitive with a blended 60/40 benchmark and reflecting improved portfolio discipline.
- Portfolio Strengthening: We upgraded and diversified investment managers, expanded impact-oriented strategies, and enhanced alignment with UU values.
- Infrastructure: The new UUCEF.org website and investor reporting portal launched, creating a foundation for improved transparency and future automation.
- Values in Action: UUCEF played a meaningful role in the President’s Climate Justice Working Group, participated prominently at General Assembly, and expanded leadership through new subcommittees focused on Community Investments, Faith Investing, and Private Investments.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Priorities
For 2026, the UUA Investment Office and UUCEF Investment Committee have identified three clear priorities:
- Continue to improve values-aligned investment performance
- Retain and grow UU congregational investors
- Enhance stewardship, including shareholder advocacy and corporate engagement
Today, UUCEF serves approximately 400 congregations and $180 million in assets out of a total of nearly $300 million, representing a significant opportunity to expand UU values in action across the remaining estimated $1+ billion of UU endowment assets nationwide.
Planned initiatives include refreshing stewardship policies, strengthening company advocacy infrastructure, advancing Community Investments, completing faith-based peer research, and progressing new fund offerings designed to serve additional congregations.
We enter 2026 grateful for your partnership and confidence and are energized by the opportunities ahead.