CASE Conference for College and University Foundations 2026

Insight, perspective, and practical ideas for today’s foundation leaders

The CASE Conference for College and University Foundations brings foundation executives and senior leaders together for three days of practical conversation around the issues shaping college and university foundations today — from governance and foundation–institution relationships to donor engagement, investment oversight, risk management, reporting, and data privacy.

Attendees can expect sessions that balance big‑picture perspective with real‑world application, along with peer discussions that surface how other institutions are handling similar challenges.

A featured session from CLA — Demystifying Alternative Investments — offers a timely deep dive into private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and other alternatives from both audit and tax angles.

Wednesday, April 8 | 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Demystifying Alternative Investments

CLA speakers: Lacey Quatsoe, Liezl Malabanan, Jaclyne Hawley

Participants will gain clarity on risks, compliance requirements, and reporting challenges presented by alternative investments, and hear examples of financial opportunities these investments can provide.

Understanding alternative investments: Explore what constitutes an alternative investment and why these assets are increasingly part of university foundation portfolios. Learn about the role of alternatives in diversification and long-term growth.

Audit considerations: Discover leading practices for confirming the existence and valuation of alternative investments, including the use of third-party confirmations, risk assessments based on audited financial statements, and procedures for addressing valuation challenges.

Tax implications: Demystify the tax treatment of alternative investments, focusing on unrelated business taxable income, debt-financed investments, and flow-through entities. Understand how borrowing by the foundation or investee impacts tax liability, and what information should be collected for accurate reporting.

Operational guidance: Learn how proactive tax planning, continuous communication, and collaboration with audit teams can streamline compliance and enhance ability to respond to new tax issues and opportunities. The session will also address multi-state and international considerations.