A new study released jointly by the Council on Foundations and Commonfund Institute found that a third of U.S. private, public and community foundations have implemented or are actively considering mission-related investing practices in managing their endowed assets. However, impediments to adoption remain. Concern over returns was the single most commonly reported barrier, with 23% of foundations considering it a significant one and 48% a moderate one. The study was conducted during this past winter among 52 U.S. private and public/community foundations, 49 private/family foundations, eight public foundations and 77 community foundations. Together, these institutions represented $39.7 billion in endowment assets as of Dec. 31, 2014. The study is intended, the two groups said in a statement, as a tool for investment committees, board members and investment staffers who are exploring new strategy options.