About us
The Concordia University Inter-Generational Fund (CUiF) was established to support the university’s principal risk management objective: ensuring financial sustainability over the long term. This commitment to sustainability safeguards intergenerational wealth and fiscal capacity, enabling the university to thrive across economic and political cycles.
Last updated: April 22, 2025, 3:13 p.m.
Overview
At Concordia, financial sustainability is evaluated through the university’s financial position, a reflection of its long-term health. This position is guided by the Capital Asset Management, Funding and Financing Policy (CFO-4), which establishes frameworks for fiscal affordability, liquidity and capacity building. The CUiF serves as Concordia’s dedicated investment arm — outside of its pension plan — advancing its strategic goals and aligning with CFO-4 policies.
How is the CUiF structured and designed?
The CUiF supports Concordia’s financial needs by managing diverse investment programs in three key areas:
- Student support: ensuring funding for scholarships, bursaries and other financial aid initiatives
- Debt repayment: establishing reserves to address long-term liabilities
- Cash management: optimizing the use of restricted and designated funds
To address these varying capital requirements, the CUiF operates long- and mid-term investment pools, each with distinct asset allocation strategies designed to achieve specific risk-adjusted return targets.
Aligned with Concordia’s commitment to sustainability, the CUiF follows a 100/0/10 framework, aiming to achieve:
- 100% of investments aligned with purpose and intentionality
- 0: move beyond a net-zero economy toward a restorative one
- 10%: dedicated allocation to mission-related investments addressing both local and global challenges
This dual focus on wealth creation and action-oriented investments supports Concordia’s broader mission of fostering international equity and contributing to global sustainability.
How is the CUiF governed?
The CUiF operates as a separate but affiliated entity of Concordia, with a governance structure tailored to its unique objectives. Its board of directors includes subject matter experts in sustainability, supported by specialized committees for:
- Investment and Risk
- Audit
- Governance
In 2024, the CUiF completed a comprehensive governance modernization to align with global best practices and Concordia's sustainability goals.
How is the CUiF managed?
The Office of the Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer manages the CUiF's day-to-day operations. This team:
- Designs and implements strategies approved by the CUiF board
- Monitors portfolio performance to ensure alignment with Concordia's financial and sustainability objectives
In addition to overseeing the CUiF's investment portfolio, the Office of the Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer oversees and financially manages other key areas, including:
- University benefits and financial obligations such as the pension plan and its pension fund, as well as the group insurance plan
- University corporate risks, including enterprise risk management and risk financing programs
- University capital and financing portfolio, encompassing the institutional capital and cash budgets and the overall financing program
