COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
485APOS, 2000-12-14
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<PAGE>   1

   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 14, 2000


                                                              FILE NO. 333-85415
                                                              FILE NO. 811-9555

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-1A


                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                       POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 /X/
                         ------------------------------


                                       and


                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                             INVESTMENT ACT OF 1940
                               AMENDMENT NO. 4 /X/
                                 ---------------


                         COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


                          THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY
                               1209 ORANGE STREET
                WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801, COUNTY OF NEW CASTLE
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                                   Copies to:


       ARTHUR GARDINER, ESQUIRE               JOHN H. GRADY, Jr., ESQUIRE
           8 Sargent Street                   Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
           Hanover, NH 03755                      1701 Market Street
                                                Philadelphia, PA 19103

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is proposed that this filing become effective (check appropriate box):


     immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
---
 X   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
---
     on December 13, 2000 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
---
     75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
---



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   2
COMMONFUND
INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS


PROSPECTUS
December __, 2000



                                                                      COMMONFUND


                                    --------------------------------------------


                                    CIF INFLATION-INDEXED BOND FUND
                                    CIF SHORT DURATION FUND
                                    CIF LOW DURATION BOND FUND
                                    CIF CORE PLUS BOND FUND



                                    INVESTMENT MANAGER
                                    Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc.

                                    DISTRIBUTOR
                                    Commonfund Securities, Inc.




The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the
Fund's shares or determined whether this prospectus is accurate or complete. It
is a crime for anyone to tell you otherwise.
<PAGE>   3

COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Commonfund Institutional Funds (the "Company") is a no-load, open-end management
investment company that seeks to improve the net investment returns of its
shareholders by making available to them a series of investment funds, each with
its own investment objectives and policies. The investment funds are sold
primarily to institutional investors, including colleges, universities, private
secondary schools, hospitals, foundations, pension funds, museums, libraries,
performing arts groups and centers, public secondary school districts,
charitable service organizations and others. The investment funds are not
available to individuals, except current and former directors, officers and
employees of Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc. (the "Investment
Manager"), its affiliates, consultants, and members of Commonfund advisory
groups ("Eligible Individuals").


HOW TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The Company offers a number of separate investment portfolios (each a "Fund"
and, collectively, the "Funds"). Each Fund has individual investment goals and
strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the CIF
Inflation-Indexed Bond, CIF Short Duration, CIF Low Duration Bond and CIF Core
Plus Bond Funds that you should know before investing. This prospectus has been
arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important
information. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference.



THE FIXED INCOME FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fixed income funds are subject to the risks of investing in bonds and other
fixed income securities. The prices of bonds and other fixed income securities
respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as
to changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of individual issuers,
including governments. Generally, fixed income securities decrease in value if
interest rates rise and vice versa. Also, longer term securities are generally
more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects
risk. Fixed income funds offer shares and accept redemptions every day at
current net asset value and they generally do not hold securities until
maturity. Gains and losses from price fluctuations in fixed income securities
can affect investment returns. Some of these gains and losses could be avoided
by purchasing fixed income securities directly and holding them until maturity.
Lower rated securities are also more volatile, since the prospects for repayment
of principal and interest are more speculative. Moreover, fixed income funds may
substantially underperform funds that invest primarily in other asset classes,
including equity-oriented funds.


CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund..............................................
CIF Short Duration Fund......................................................
CIF Low Duration Bond Fund...................................................
CIF Core Plus Bond Fund......................................................
Portfolio Management.........................................................
Purchasing and Redeeming Shares..............................................
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes...........................................


To obtain more information about the Company please refer to the Back Cover of
the Prospectus.
<PAGE>   4

CIF INFLATION-INDEXED BOND FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



INVESTMENT GOAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Maximize real return to the extent consistent with preservation of capital and
liquidity


INVESTMENT FOCUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A portfolio of investment grade U.S. government securities that are linked to
general measures of inflation


PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its
total assets, under normal market conditions, in U.S. Treasury Securities whose
principal value is periodically adjusted to the U.S. Consumer Price Index. Up to
25% of the Fund may be invested in investment grade securities that are not
indexed to inflation. Investment grade securities are those rated in one of the
four highest categories at the time of investment, or determined by a
Sub-Adviser to be of equivalent quality. The benchmark for the Fund is the
Lehman U.S. TIPS Index. The Fund will normally maintain effective duration
within (+/-) 1.5 years of the Lehman Brothers U.S. TIPS Index.


The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among selected Sub-Advisers,
who in turn manage the assets on a day-to-day basis, subject to oversight by the
Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are Pacific Investment Management
Company ("PIMCO") and Western Asset Management Company ("WAMCO"). Each
Sub-Adviser selects investments for its portion of the Fund based on its own
investment style and strategy. PIMCO attempts to identify secular trends
affecting real and nominal interest rates and short term economic imbalances and
relies on value measures to guide sector and issue selection. PIMCO also
measures various types of risk by focusing on yield curve and duration
management. WAMCO applies a value-oriented approach to managing assets for the
Fund, with an emphasis on multiple strategies, including duration, term
structure and sector allocation. WAMCO implements its strategy through an
assessment of real interest rates, expected inflation rates and the relative
volatility of real yield to nominal yields.

The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and will not limit transactions to avoid tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio
turnover rate may be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result
in higher transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through
to taxable shareholders.


OTHER INVESTMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in
other investment practices, which are not principal investments and/or
strategies. These other investments and strategies, as well as those described
in this prospectus, are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information (SAI).

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, repurchase agreements and
short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may not achieve its
investment objective.


PRINCIPAL RISKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other
events that affect particular companies and other issuers, including
governments. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger
or smaller depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in
which they trade. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in
value if interest rates rise and vice versa. The prices of fixed income
securities also may fluctuate in response to changes in credit risk. Also,
prices of longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average
maturity of the Fund's portfolio affects risk.

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance,
and may affect the Fund's return. In fact, you can lose money on your investment
in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund share is not a
bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government
agency.


RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities are considered to be
those with the least credit risk, but U.S. Government securities are subject to
price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S.
Government
<PAGE>   5
agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the
ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own
resources, and are subject to slightly greater credit risks.

Inflation-Indexed Securities. The value of inflation-indexed bonds generally
will fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn
tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of
inflation. As a result, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate
than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value
of inflation-indexed bonds. In contrast, if inflation were to rise at a faster
rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to
an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds.

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are fixed income securities
representing an interest in a pool of loans or receivables of an entity, such as
a bank or credit card company. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash
flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Prepayments on underlying
assets generally alter the cash flow from asset-backed securities and as a
result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying lower
interest rates. It may not be possible to predict with certainty the actual
maturity date or average life of an asset-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.


Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income
securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans.
Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may
respond to these changes differently than other fixed income securities due to
the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. Declining
interest rates tend to encourage the prepayment of mortgage-backed securities.
As a result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying
lower interest rates. It may not be possible to determine in advance the actual
maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.


Corporate Securities. Corporate securities are fixed income securities issued by
private businesses. Corporate securities respond to economic developments,
especially changes in interest rates, as well as to perceptions of the
creditworthiness of individual issuers.

PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations,
and did not have a performance history.

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
Investment Advisory Fees*                 0.35%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                 None
Other Expenses**                          0.20%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES      0.55%

 Fee waivers and expense reimbursements   0.10%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES        0.45%***
</TABLE>


*        THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES VARY WITH FUND PERFORMANCE. THE TOTAL
         ADVISORY FEE PAYABLE BY THE FUND WILL BE 0.25% (25 BASIS POINTS) PER
         ANNUM OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT IF THE RETURN ON THE
         FUND IS 50 BASIS POINTS ABOVE THE LEHMAN U.S. TIPS INDEX FOR THE PRIOR
         12 MONTHS ("FULCRUM POINT"), AND WILL VARY UPWARDS OR DOWNWARDS BY AN
         AMOUNT EQUAL TO 20% OF ANY PERFORMANCE ABOVE OR BELOW THE FULCRUM
         POINT. IN NO EVENT WILL THE FEE EXCEED 35 BASIS POINTS OR DECLINE BELOW
         15 BASIS POINTS.


**       OTHER EXPENSES WERE ESTIMATED ASSUMING AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE
         FUND OF $100 MILLION.


***      THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
         REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE
         FUND, IN ORDER TO KEEP OTHER EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING BY 10 BASIS POINTS
         OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR
         TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FOR
         PURPOSES OF THIS TABLE, INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES ARE ASSUMED TO BE 35
         BASIS POINTS.

<PAGE>   6

EXAMPLE



This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:



<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 46*
         3 Years           $144*
</TABLE>



*        EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
         AFTER THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
         (0.45%). EXPENSES MAY VARY FROM 0.25% TO 0.45%.

<PAGE>   7

CIF SHORT DURATION FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



INVESTMENT GOAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Current interest income with some price appreciation, each consistent with
liquidity and safety of principal



INVESTMENT FOCUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



A portfolio of U.S. Government securities and other high quality debt securities



PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The CIF Short Duration Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its total
assets, under normal market conditions, in a diversified portfolio of securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and
instrumentalities, obligations of U.S. and foreign commercial banks, corporate
debt securities, including commercial paper, and fully-collateralized repurchase
agreements with highly rated counterparties. The fixed income securities
acquired by the Fund may include mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
The Fund will invest only in fixed income securities rated at the time of
investment in one of the three highest rating categories by a major rating
agency, or determined by a Sub-Adviser to be of equivalent quality. The
benchmark for the Fund is the Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index.



The Fund's investment strategies are designed to produce a total rate of return
that exceeds the total return on 90 day U.S. Treasury bills. The Fund seeks to
minimize fluctuations in net asset value by maintaining high credit quality
standards and employing a relatively short effective duration. Duration is a
measure of a security's price volatility or risk associated with changes in
interest rates. The Fund's effective duration generally will not exceed one (1)
year, and the maximum remaining maturity of any individual security will be five
and one-half (5 1/2) years, except for certain mortgage-related and asset-backed
securities.



The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among selected Sub-Advisers,
who in turn manage the Fund's assets on a day-to-day basis, subject to oversight
by the Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are Wellington Management
Company, LLP ("Wellington Management") and Western Asset Management Company
("WAMCO"). Each Sub-Adviser selects investments for its portion of the Fund
based on its own investment style and strategy. Wellington Management's
investment philosophy is to maximize total return while limiting the level of
risk appropriate for the Fund by combining a top-down strategy which directs
portfolio structure including duration and sector weights, and a bottom-up
securities selection process. WAMCO applies a team approach to portfolio
management that revolves around their investment outlook, focusing on duration
weighting, term structure position, sector and issue selection. While duration
and yield curve structure decisions underlie WAMCO's investment process, the
company concentrates primarily on sector and issue selection for adding value.



The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and without regard to tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate may
be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result in higher
transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through to
taxable shareholders.




OTHER INVESTMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in
other investment practices, which are not principal investments and strategies.
These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus,
are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information (SAI).



During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or
liquidity purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash,
repurchase agreements and short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may
not achieve its investment objective.



PRINCIPAL RISKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other
events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price
movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger or smaller depending on
the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade.
Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest
rates rise and vice versa. The price of fixed income securities also may
fluctuate in response to changes in credit risk. Also, prices of longer-term
securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity of the Fund's
portfolio affects risk.

<PAGE>   8

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance,
and these judgments may affect the Fund's return. In fact, you can lose money on
your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund
share is not a bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or
any government agency.



RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES



U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities are considered to be
those with the least credit risk, but U.S. Government securities are subject to
price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S.
Government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed
solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the
agency's own resources, and are subject to slightly greater credit risks.



Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are fixed income securities
representing an interest in a pool of loans or receivables of an entity, such as
a bank or credit card company. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash
flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Prepayments on underlying
assets generally alter the cash flow from asset-backed securities and as a
result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying lower
interest rates. It may not be possible to predict with certainty the actual
maturity date or average life of an asset-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.



Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income
securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans.
Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may
respond to these changes differently than other fixed income securities due to
the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. Declining
interest rates tend to encourage the prepayment of mortgage-backed securities.
As a result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying
lower interest rates. It may not be possible to determine in advance the actual
maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.



PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION



The CIF Short Duration Fund commenced operations on May 1, 2000. Since the Fund
does not have a full calendar year of performance, performance results have not
been provided.



FUND FEES AND EXPENSES



This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.



ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)



<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
Investment Advisory Fees                        0.19%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                       None
Other Expenses*                                 0.30%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES            0.49%

  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements        0.24%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES              0.25%**
</TABLE>




*        OTHER EXPENSES ARE ESTIMATED ASSUMING THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF
         THE FUND WILL BE $100 MILLION.



**       THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
         REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE
         FUND, IN ORDER TO KEEP TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING 0.25% OF
         AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS PER YEAR. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR
         TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.


EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:


<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 26*
         3 Years           $ 80*
</TABLE>



*        EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
         AFTER THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
         (0.25%).

<PAGE>   9

CIF LOW DURATION BOND FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



INVESTMENT GOAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Preservation of capital with higher total return than is generally obtainable
from money market instruments


INVESTMENT FOCUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A diversified portfolio of investment grade bonds and other fixed income
securities with maturities between one and three years


PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The CIF Low Duration Bond Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its total
assets, under normal market conditions, in a diversified portfolio of dollar
denominated investment grade bonds, including obligations issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as
corporate, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. Investment grade
securities are those rated in one of the four highest categories at the time of
investment, or determined by a Sub-Adviser to be of equivalent quality. The Fund
also may invest up to 20% of its assets in other fixed income securities,
including non-dollar denominated securities and securities rated below
investment grade at the time of purchase. The benchmark for the Fund is the
Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year Treasury Index. The Fund will maintain an average
portfolio duration of between one and three years.


The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among selected Sub-Advisers,
who in turn manage the assets on a day-to-day basis subject to oversight by the
Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are Seix Investment Advisors
("SEIX") and Metropolitan West Asset Management ("MetWest"). Each Sub-Adviser
selects investments for its portion of the Fund based on its own investment
style and strategy. SEIX manages the Fund's assets using a duration neutral,
sector rotation approach coupled with bottom-up security selection. MetWest
invests opportunistically in all fixed income sectors and adjusts portfolio
duration based on its market views. Each Sub-Adviser may use futures, options
and other fixed income derivatives as part of its investment strategy.

The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and will not limit transactions to avoid tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio
turnover rate may be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result
in higher transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through
to taxable shareholders.


OTHER INVESTMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in
other investment practices, which are not principal investments and strategies.
These other investments and strategies, as well as those described in this
prospectus, are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information (SAI).

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, repurchase agreements and
short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may not achieve its
investment objective.



PRINCIPAL RISKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other
events that affect particular companies and other issuers, including
governments. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger
or smaller depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in
which they trade. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in
value if interest rates rise and vice versa. The price of fixed income
securities also may fluctuate in response to changes in credit risk. Also,
prices of longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average
maturity of the Fund's portfolio affects risk.

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance,
and may affect the Fund's return. In fact, you can lose money on your investment
in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund share is not a
bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government
agency.


RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities are considered to be
those with the least credit risk, but U.S. Government securities are subject to
price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S.
Government
<PAGE>   10
agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the
ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own
resources, and are subject to slightly greater credit risks.

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are fixed income securities
representing an interest in a pool of loans or receivables of an entity, such as
a bank or credit card company. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash
flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Prepayments on underlying
assets generally alter the cash flow from asset-backed securities and as a
result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying lower
interest rates. It may not be possible to predict with certainty the actual
maturity date or average life of an asset-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.


Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income
securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans.
Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may
respond to these changes differently than other fixed income securities due to
the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. Declining
interest rates tend to encourage the prepayment of mortgage-backed securities.
As a result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying
lower interest rates. It may not be possible to determine in advance the actual
maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.


Corporate Securities. Corporate securities are fixed income securities issued by
private businesses. Corporate securities respond to economic developments,
especially changes in interest rates, as well as to perceptions of the
creditworthiness of individual issuers.

Foreign Securities. Investing in foreign countries entails the risk that news
and events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their
issuers. These same events will not necessarily have an effect on the U.S.
economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, the Fund's
investments in foreign countries generally will be denominated in foreign
currencies. As a result, changes in the value of a country's currency compared
in the U.S. dollar may affect the value of the Fund's investments. These changes
may occur separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect
the value of the security in the issuer's home country.

Derivatives. Derivatives are instruments which derive their value from an
underlying security, financial asset or an index. One category of derivatives
("Derivative Instruments") are instruments such as futures contracts, options,
forward contracts, and swaps. Derivative Instruments are used to establish
market positions without transacting in the securities by which their value is
measured. Derivative Instruments often are used to adjust the risk
characteristics of a portfolio of securities investments. A second category of
derivatives ("Derivative Securities") are securities that carry rights to other
securities, such as, for example, a security convertible into some other
security. The primary risks of Derivative Instruments are that changes in the
market value of securities held by the Fund, and of derivatives relating to
those securities, may not be proportionate, there may not be a liquid market for
the Fund to sell a derivative which could result in difficulty closing the
position and certain derivatives can magnify the extent of losses incurred due
to changes in market value of the securities to which they relate. In addition,
some Derivative Instruments are subject to counterparty risk. See the SAI for
more about the risks of different types of derivatives.


PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations,
and did not have a performance history.

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Investment Advisory Fees                    0.30%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                   None
Other Expenses*                             0.20%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES        0.50%

  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements    0.10%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES          0.40%**
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   11

*        OTHER EXPENSES ARE ESTIMATED ASSUMING AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE
         FUND OF $100 MILLION.


**       THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
         REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE
         FUND, IN ORDER TO KEEP TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING 0.40% OF
         AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS PER YEAR. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR
         TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.


EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:


<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 41*
         3 Years           $128*
</TABLE>



*        EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
         AFTER THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
         (0.40%).

<PAGE>   12

CIF CORE PLUS BOND FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



INVESTMENT GOAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


High current income and price appreciation


INVESTMENT FOCUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A diversified portfolio of investment grade bonds and other fixed income
securities


PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The CIF Core Plus Bond Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its total
assets, under normal market conditions, in investment grade bonds and other
fixed income securities in an attempt to outperform the broad U.S. bond market.
Investment grade securities are those rated in one of the four highest
categories at the time of investment, or determined by a Sub-Adviser to be of
equivalent quality. The Fund also may invest up to 10% of its assets in
securities rated below investment grade, but in one of the six highest rating
categories, and up to 20% of its assets in non-dollar denominated issuers. The
Sub-Advisers may invest in certain derivatives and may use certain techniques,
such as currency hedging in order to outperform the broad market. The benchmark
for the Fund is the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. The Fund will maintain
an average portfolio duration of between three and six years.


The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by maintaining a core
portfolio of securities that is aligned with the composition and duration of the
Fund's benchmark index, which tracks the overall U.S. bond market. The
Sub-Advisers then seek to add value by investing a portion of the Fund's assets
in fixed income securities that are not represented in the benchmark and using
investment techniques designed to overweight or underweight the Fund's portfolio
relative to benchmark characteristics.

The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among selected Sub-Advisers,
who in turn manage the Fund's assets on a day-to-day basis, subject to oversight
by the Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are Pacific Investments
Management Company ("PIMCO") and Western Asset Management Company ("WAMCO").
Each Sub-Adviser selects investments for its portion of the Fund based on its
own investment style and strategy. PIMCO utilizes a top-down portfolio
management strategy, based on its forecasts of secular and cyclical shifts in
the economy. In managing assets for the Fund, WAMCO employs a top-down sector
and duration management strategy, coupled with active security selection and
trading.

The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and will not limit transactions to avoid tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio
turnover rate may be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result
in higher transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through
to taxable shareholders.


OTHER INVESTMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in
other investment practices, which are not principal investments and strategies.
These other investments and strategies, as well as those described in this
prospectus are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information (SAI).

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, repurchase agreements and
short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may not achieve its
investment objective.


PRINCIPAL RISKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other
events that affect particular companies and other issuers, including
governments. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger
or smaller depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in
which they trade. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in
value if interest rates rise and vice versa. The price of fixed income
securities also may fluctuate in response to changes in credit risk. Also,
prices of longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average
duration of the Fund's investment portfolio affects risk.

The Fund is permitted to invest in fixed income securities that are not included
in the Fund's benchmark index. As a result, the Fund's duration, credit quality
and price volatility may deviate from that of the index and there is an
increased risk that the Fund may underperform the benchmark index.

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements,
<PAGE>   13
economic conditions or company performance, and may affect the Fund's return.
The Sub-Advisers' use of derivatives also may increase the possibility that the
Fund will underperform the broad U.S. bond market. In fact, you can lose money
on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund
share is not a bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or
any government agency.


RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities are considered to be
those with the least credit risk, but U.S. Government securities are subject to
price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S.
Government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed
solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the
agency's own resources, and are subject to slightly greater credit risks.

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are fixed income securities
representing an interest in a pool of loans or receivables of an entity, such as
a bank or credit card company. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash
flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Prepayments on underlying
assets generally alter the cash flow from asset-backed securities and as a
result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying lower
interest rates. It may not be possible to predict with certainty the actual
maturity date or average life of an asset-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.


Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income
securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans.
Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may
respond to these changes differently than other fixed income securities due to
the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. Declining
interest rates tend to encourage the prepayment of mortgage-backed securities.
As a result, the Fund may have to reinvest prepaid amounts in securities paying
lower interest rates. It may not be possible to determine in advance the actual
maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security and, therefore, to
assess the volatility risk of the Fund.


Corporate Securities. Corporate securities are fixed income securities issued by
private businesses. Corporate securities respond to economic developments,
especially changes in interest rates, as well as to perceptions of the
creditworthiness of individual issuers.


Foreign Securities. Investing in foreign countries entails the risk that news
and events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their
issuers. These same events will not necessarily have an effect on the U.S.
economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, the Fund's
investments in foreign countries generally will be denominated in foreign
currencies. As a result, changes in the value of a country's currency compared
in the U.S. dollar may affect the value of the Fund's investments. These changes
may occur separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect
the value of the security in the issuer's home country.


Derivative Securities. Derivative Securities are securities which derive their
value from an underlying security, financial asset or an index. One category of
derivatives ("Derivative Instruments") are instruments such as futures
contracts, options, forward contracts, and swaps. Derivative Instruments are
used to establish market positions without transacting in the securities by
which their value is measured. Derivative Instruments often are used to adjust
the risk characteristics of a portfolio of securities investments. A second
category of derivatives ("Derivative Securities") are securities that carry
rights to other securities, such as, for example, a security convertible into
some other security. The primary risks of Derivative Instruments are that
changes in the market value of securities held by the Fund, and of derivatives
relating to those securities, may not be proportionate, there may not be a
liquid market for the Fund to sell a derivative which could result in difficulty
closing the position and certain derivatives can magnify the extent of losses
incurred due to changes in market value of the securities to which they relate.
In addition, some Derivative Instruments are subject to counterparty risk. See
the SAI for more about the risks of derivatives.

PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations,
and did not have a performance history.
<PAGE>   14
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Investment Advisory Fees                    0.35%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                   None
Other Expenses*                             0.20%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES        0.55%

  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements    0.10%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES          0.45%**
</TABLE>

*        OTHER EXPENSES ARE ESTIMATED ASSUMING THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF
         THE FUND WILL BE $100 MILLION.


**       THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
         REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE
         FUND, IN ORDER TO KEEP TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING 0.45% OF
         AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS PER YEAR. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR
         TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.


EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:


<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 46*
         3 Years           $144*
</TABLE>



*        EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
         AFTER THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
         (0.45%).

<PAGE>   15
INVESTMENT MANAGER

COMMONFUND ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC. is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations ("CommonFund").
Employees of the Investment Manager also are responsible for CommonFund's
investment program, which is comprised of more than 40 funds with more than $22
billion in assets and is conducted in a "manager of managers" format. For its
advisory services, the Company will pay the Investment Manager an annual fee
shown as a percentage of average net assets of each Fund:


<TABLE>
    <S>                                <C>
    CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund*   0.15-0.35%
    CIF Short Duration Fund                 0.19%
    CIF Low Duration Bond Fund              0.30%
    CIF Core Plus Bond Fund                 0.35%
</TABLE>



*The Investment Advisory Fees vary with Fund performance. The total advisory fee
payable by the Fund will be 0.25% (25 basis points) per annum of assets under
management if the return on the Fund is 50 basis points above the Lehman U.S.
TIPS Index for the prior 12 months ("fulcrum point"), and will vary upwards or
downwards by an amount equal to 20% of any performance above or below the
fulcrum point. In no event will the fee exceed 35 basis points or decline below
15 basis points.



The Investment Manager acts as a "manager of managers" for the Fund, and
supervises adherence by the Sub-Advisers within each Fund's investment policies
and guidelines. The Investment Manager can also recommend the appointment of
additional or replacement Sub-Advisers to the Company's Board of Directors. The
Funds and the Investment Manager have applied for exemptive relief from the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to permit the Investment Manager
and the Company to add or terminate Sub-Advisers without shareholder approval.


The Investment Manager employs a team to supervise the Sub-Advisers, which
includes the following members:


Todd E. Petzel, President and Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Petzel assumed the
position of President and Chief Investment Officer of Commonfund Asset
Management Company, Inc. as of August 1999. From January 1996 until July 1999,
he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for
CommonFund. Prior to that, Mr. Petzel was Executive Vice President, Business
Development of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME"), and prior to 1994,
Senior Vice President, Research and Chief Economist of the CME. Mr. Petzel
received his A.B., A.M., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago.



MaryEllen Beaudreault, Senior Vice President, Head of the Fixed Income Team. Ms.
Beaudreault assumed the position of Senior Vice President, Head of the Fixed
Income Team of Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc., as of August 1999.
From July 1993 until July 1999 she served as Senior Vice President, Head of the
Fixed Income Team for Commonfund. She is responsible for the oversight of all
fixed income funds. Those funds implement cash management, domestic, global and
international fixed income strategies. Ms. Beaudreault has over 15 years of
professional experience. Ms. Beaudreault received her B.S. from Central
Connecticut State University.



Sarah E. Clark, Managing Director. As a member of the Fixed Income Team, Ms.
Clark helps manage the team and is a generalist for all the products. Prior to
joining Commonfund in 2000, Ms. Clark was a Vice President at Schroder
Investment Management North America, where she was a member of the fixed income
Investment Strategy Group. She has over 16 years investment experience. Ms.
Clark received her A.B. from Lafayette College.



INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

CIF INFLATION-INDEXED BOND FUND


-        Pacific Investment Management Company ("PIMCO") serves as Sub-Adviser
         to the CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund. PIMCO, located at 840 Newport
         Beach, Newport Beach, CA 92658, provides investment advisory services
         to individuals, investment companies and other institutions.
         Established in 1980, PIMCO has $207.3 billion in assets under
         management as of September 30, 2000.



         John Brynjolfsson, CFA, serves as portfolio manager to the CIF
         Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund. Mr. Brynjolfsson is Executive Vice
         President of PIMCO and joined PIMCO in 1989. He has 14 years of
         investment experience.


-        Western Asset Management Company ("WAMCO") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
         CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund. WAMCO, located
<PAGE>   16

         at 117 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105 provides investment
         advisory services to corporations, public funds and other institutional
         investors. Established in 1971, WAMCO has $71.1 billion in assets under
         management as of September 30, 2000.



         Alan R. McClymonds serves as portfolio manager to the Inflation-Indexed
         Bond Fund. Mr. McClymonds joined WAMCO in 1999. Prior to joining WAMCO,
         Mr. McClymonds was a Senior Vice President of Proprietary Trading at
         Nationsbank from 1996-1999, and a Director of Trading at CS First
         Boston from 1994-1996. Mr. McClymonds has 17 years of fixed income
         experience.



CIF SHORT DURATION FUND



-        Wellington Management Company, LLP ("Wellington Management") serves as
         sub-adviser to the CIF Short Duration Fund. Wellington Management,
         located at 75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, provides investment
         advisory services to individuals, investment companies, and other
         institutions. Established in 1928, Wellington Management has
         $266.8 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



         John C. Keogh and Timothy E. Smith serve as portfolio managers to the
         CIF Short Duration Fund. Mr. Keogh is a Partner and Senior Vice
         President of Wellington Management, and has been with the firm since
         1983. He has 21 years of investment experience. Mr. Smith is a Vice
         President of Wellington Management and has been with the firm since
         1992. He has 15 years of investment experience.



-        Western Asset Management Company ("WAMCO") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
         CIF Short Duration Fund. Information about WAMCO is included under the
         CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund listed above.



         Stephen A. Walsh and Carl E. Eichstaedt serve as portfolio managers to
         the CIF Short Duration Fund. Mr Walsh, is a Managing Director and has
         been with WAMCO since 1991. He has 19 years of professional experience.
         Mr. Eichstaedt has been with WAMCO since 1994. He has 14 years of
         investment experience.



CIF LOW DURATION BOND FUND



-        Seix Investment Advisors ("SEIX") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Low
         Duration Bond Fund. SEIX, located at 300 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff
         Lake, NJ 07675, provides investment advisory services to corporations,
         public funds and other institutional investors. Established in 1992,
         SEIX has $7.23 billion in assets under management as of September 30,
         2000.



         An investment team provides investment advice to the CIF Low Duration
         Bond Fund.



-        Metropolitan West Asset Management ("MetWest") serves as Sub-Adviser to
         the CIF Low Duration Bond Fund. MetWest, located at 11766 Wilshire
         Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, provides investment advisory services to
         individual, investment companies and other institutions. Established in
         1996, MetWest has $9.23 billion in assets under management as of
         September 30, 2000.



         Tad Rivelle, CIO, serves as portfolio manager to the CIF Low Duration
         Bond Fund. Prior to founding MetWest in 1996, he was a Principal and
         co-director of fixed income at Hotchkis and Wiley. Mr. Rivelle has 15
         years of investment experience.


CIF CORE PLUS BOND FUND

-        Pacific Investment Management Company ("PIMCO") serves as Sub-Adviser
         to the CIF Core Plus Bond Fund. Information about PIMCO is included
         under the CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund listed above.


         William Gross serves as portfolio manager to the CIF Core Plus Bond
         Fund. He is the Founder and Managing Director of PIMCO and has been
         associated with the firm for 29 years.


-        Western Asset Management Company ("WAMCO") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
         CIF Core Plus Bond Fund. Information about WAMCO is included under the
         CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund listed above.


         S. Kenneth Leech, CIO serves as portfolio manager to the CIF Core Plus
         Bond Fund. Mr. Leech has 23 years of investment experience, including
         10 years with WAMCO. Prior to joining WAMCO, he was a portfolio manager

<PAGE>   17
         with Greenwich Capital Markets and the First Boston Corporation.

PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF SUB-ADVISERS


The following tables present composite investment returns of all relevant
discretionary accounts and investment companies managed by each Sub-Adviser that
have investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially
similar to the Funds' in all material respects. The Sub-Advisers have provided
this information and have informed the Funds that it is calculated in accordance
with AIMR Performance Presentation Standards. This table does not indicate how a
Fund may perform in the future. The extent to which the performance of a
particular Sub-Adviser affects a Fund's performance will be limited to the
portion of the Fund's assets allocated to that Sub-Adviser by the Investment
Manager.



Performance results below reflect the deduction of net annual fund operating
expenses after the Investment Manager's fee waivers.


To the extent that these accounts are not registered investment companies, they
are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements
and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
Internal Revenue Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected
performance results.

CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund


Neither Sub-Adviser has a performance history for accounts managed in accordance
with investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially
similar to the Funds in all material respects.



CIF Short Duration Fund



Historical Performance for Periods ended September 30, 2000


Average Annual Total Return


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Past   Past    Past    Past
                one    three   five    ten
                year   years   years   years
--------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
Wellington
Management      6.20%   5.62%   N/A    N/A
--------------------------------------------
WAMCO           6.02%   5.56%   5.48%  5.13%
--------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch
90 day U.S.
Treasury Bill
Index           5.79%   5.28%   5.35%  5.11%
--------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




CIF Low Duration Bond Fund



Historical Performance for Periods Ended September 30, 2000



Average Annual Total Return




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Past    Past    Past    Past
                  one     three   five    ten
                  year    years   years   years
-----------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Seix Investment   6.39%   5.59%   5.94%   N/A
-----------------------------------------------
MetWest           6.40%   6.32%   N/A     N/A
-----------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch     5.79%   5.64%   5.89%   6.48%
1-3 Year
Treasury Index
-----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


CIF Core Plus Bond Fund


Historical Performance for Periods Ended September 30, 2000


Average Annual Total Return


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Past      Past    Past    Past
             one       three   five    ten
             year      years   years   year
--------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
PIMCO        -0.74%    5.99%   8.17%   8.36%
--------------------------------------------
WAMCO         7.19%    5.96%   6.86%   8.89%
--------------------------------------------
Lehman        6.99%    5.92%   6.47%   8.04%
Brothers
Aggregate
Bond Index
--------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING IN THE COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS - A SUMMARY:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In order to open a new account, you must complete and mail the New Account
Application that you receive with this prospectus to:

        Commonfund Institutional Funds
        15 Old Danbury Road
        P.O. Box 812
        Wilton, CT 06897-0812


The minimum initial investment for each Fund is $1,000,000 for institutions
(except for the CIF Short Duration Fund, which is $100,000) and $1,000 for
Eligible Individuals. The minimum subsequent investment is $1,000, except that
no minimum applies to reinvestments from dividends and distributions. The
minimum initial investment may be waived by the Investment Manager.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once you are a shareholder of the Commonfund Institutional Funds you can do the
following:



*        Via Internet - Shareholders can request a transaction by logging on to
         WWW.COMMONFUND.ORG



*        Purchase or redeem Fund shares by phone:



         Call 1-888-404-1454 to place a trade.



*        Purchase Fund shares by wiring federal funds or by electronically
         transferring funds through ACH to:



         Bancorp
         ABA #031101114
         Account #0011001338
         Further Credit: TA2 Bancorp, the fund name, shareholder name and
         shareholder account number must be specified
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PURCHASING AND REDEEMING COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS SHARES

This section tells you how to purchase and redeem shares of the Funds.

PURCHASING SHARES

WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES?

You may purchase shares of a Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") and the Federal Reserve System are both open for business (a "Business
Day").


To open an account: Please send your completed New Account Application to
Commonfund Institutional Funds, 15 Old Danbury Rd., P.O. Box 812, Wilton, CT
06897-0812. All investments by institutions must be made by wire or ACH.



Please call the Funds at 1-888-404-1454 to let us know that you intend to make
an investment. You will need to instruct your bank to wire federal funds or to
electronically transfer funds through ACH to: Bancorp, ABA #031101114; Account
#0011001338; Further Credit: TA2Bancorp. The fund name, shareholder name and
shareholder account number must be specified.






HOW ARE FUND SHARE PRICES CALCULATED?



The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value (NAV) per
share next determined after a Fund receives your purchase order in good order
(defined below). Each Fund's NAV is calculated once each Business Day at the
regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(normally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).


NET ASSET VALUE

NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of all of the net
assets in the Fund. In calculating NAV, a Fund generally values its portfolio at
market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Investment Manager thinks
that they are unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith
using methods approved by the Board of Directors.

ACCEPTANCE OF SUBSCRIPTIONS


In order for your purchase to be processed on the trade date, your order must be
received in good order prior to the time the Fund determines its NAV. To be in
good order, the Fund must receive funds by 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. We may reject
any purchase order

<PAGE>   19

if we determine that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of
the Fund or its shareholders.


PURCHASING ADDITIONAL SHARES


Current shareholders are eligible to purchase shares by phone by calling
1-888-404-1454 if they have requested that privilege by checking the appropriate
box on the New Account Application.


PURCHASES BY ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

Eligible Individuals may purchase shares by mail at the address of Commonfund
Institutional Funds. The purchase price may be tendered by personal check. We do
not accept third party checks or cash.

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

Purchasing or redeeming Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient,
but not without risk. Although we have certain safeguards and procedures to
confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, we are not
responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions
we reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution
transact with us over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any
loss.

REDEEMING SHARES

You may redeem your shares on any Business Day by contacting us directly by mail
or telephone. The redemption price of each share will be the NAV next determined
after a Fund receives your request.

In the case of institutions and Eligible Individuals, payments in redemption
will be made by wire transfer to the account designated in your New Account
Application or another account that has properly been designated with a
signature guarantee.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEES

A signature guarantee is a widely accepted way to protect shareholders by
verifying signatures. The signature(s) must be guaranteed by an acceptable
financial institution such as a national or state bank, a trust company, a
federal savings and loan association, a credit union or a broker-dealer that is
a member of a national securities exchange. Notarization is not acceptable.
Financial institutions which participate in one of the medallion signature
programs must use the specific "Medallion Guaranteed" stamp.

METHODS FOR REDEEMING SHARES


*Via Internet -- Shareholders can request a transaction by logging on to
WWW.COMMONFUND.ORG



*By Mail -- If you wish to redeem shares of a Fund by mail, you should send us a
letter with your name, Fund and account number and the amount of your request.
All letters must be signed by the owner(s) of the account. In certain
circumstances, additional documentation may be required. You may obtain
additional details by phoning 1-888-404-1454.


*By Phone -- When filling out your New Account Application, you are given the
opportunity to establish telephone redemption privileges.

*Systematic Withdrawal Plan -- Under the plan you may arrange monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals.

REDEMPTIONS IN KIND -- The Funds generally pay redemption proceeds in cash.
However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for
the protection of a Fund's remaining shareholders), a Fund might pay all or part
of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to
the redemption price (redemption in kind). In the highly unlikely event that
your shares are redeemed in kind, you will have to pay brokerage costs to sell
the securities distributed to you.

SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO REDEEM SHARES -- A Fund may suspend your right to
redeem your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency
or for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit.


INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES -- If your account balance drops below the
required minimum of $1,000,000 for institutions ($100,000 in the CIF Short
Duration Fund), or $1,000 for Eligible Individuals as a result of shareholder
redemptions, the Fund may redeem your shares. You will always be given at least
60 days' written notice to give you time to add to your account and avoid
redemption of your shares.

<PAGE>   20
RECEIVING YOUR MONEY

Normally, the Fund will send your sale proceeds the next Business Day after it
receives your request. In unusual circumstances, it may take up to seven days.
Proceeds will be wired to your properly designated account at a financial
institution.

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

Commonfund Securities, Inc. is the distributor of the Funds and receives no
compensation from the Funds for that service.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Funds declare and pay dividends monthly. The Funds make distributions of
capital gains, if any, at least annually.

Shareholders will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional
shares. Dividends generally are not paid in cash.

TAXES

Each Fund is managed without regard to tax consequences to shareholders.
Shareholders seeking to finance tax obligations may need to redeem shares.


Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and
realized capital gains, if any. Each Fund expects that its distribution will
primarily consist of ordinary income. The dividends and distributions you
receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your
tax situation. This is true whether or not such dividends or distributions are
received in additional shares of a Fund. Capital gains distributions may be
taxable at different rates depending on the length of time a Fund holds its
portfolio securities. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES IS A TAXABLE EVENT.


This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE SAI.
<PAGE>   21



COMMONFUND
INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS


INVESTMENT MANAGER

Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc.

DISTRIBUTOR

Commonfund Securities, Inc.

LEGAL COUNSEL
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

More information about Commonfund Institutional Funds is available without
charge through the following:

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")


The SAI dated December __, 2000, includes more detailed information about
Commonfund Institutional Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for
legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus.

<PAGE>   22
TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS:




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-888-404-1454
BY MAIL: Write to
Commonfund Institutional Funds
15 Old Danbury Road
P.O. Box 812
Wilton, CT 06897-0812
BY INTERNET: HTTP://WWW.COMMONFUND.ORG


FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual or Semi-Annual Reports,
as well as other information about Commonfund Institutional Funds, from the
EDGAR Database on the SEC's website ("HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV"). You may review and
copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090).
You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating
fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference
Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon
payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at the following address:
[email protected].

The Company's Investment Company Act registration number is 811-9555.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   23
COMMONFUND
INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS



PROSPECTUS
December __, 2000
                                                                 COMMON FUND
                                    --------------------------------------------


                                    CIF CORE EQUITY FUND
                                    CIF SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
                                    CIF SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
                                    CIF INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND


                                    INVESTMENT MANAGER
                                    Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc.

                                    DISTRIBUTOR
                                    Commonfund Securities, Inc.


The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the
Fund's shares or determined whether this prospectus is accurate or complete. It
is a crime for anyone to tell you otherwise.
<PAGE>   24
COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

Commonfund Institutional Funds (the "Company") is a no-load, open-end management
investment company that seeks to improve the net investment returns of its
shareholders by making available to them a series of investment funds, each with
its own investment objectives and policies. The investment funds are sold
primarily to institutional investors, including colleges, universities, private
secondary schools, hospitals, foundations, pension funds, museums, libraries,
performing arts groups and centers, public secondary school districts,
charitable service organizations and others. The investment funds are not
available to individuals, except current and former directors, officers and
employees of Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc. (the "Investment
Manager"), its affiliates, consultants, and members of Commonfund advisory
groups ("Eligible Individuals").

HOW TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS

The Company offers a number of separate investment portfolios (each a "Fund"
and, collectively, the "Funds"). Each Fund has individual investment goals and
strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the CIF Core
Equity, CIF Small Cap Growth, CIF Small Cap Value and CIF International Equity
Funds that you should know before investing. This prospectus has been arranged
into different sections so that you can easily review this important
information. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference.

THE EQUITY FUNDS


The Equity Funds invest in a portfolio of common stocks and other equity
securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. Investments in equity securities are
subject to market risks, such as the risk that stock prices will fall over short
or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in
cycles. In addition, investment in equity securities is subject to company
specific risk. Individual portfolio companies may report poor results or be
negatively affected by industry or economic trends and developments, and the
prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.
Investments in securities in foreign countries may be more volatile than
investments in U.S. companies since events unique to a country or region will
affect those markets and their issuers. As a result of changes in the prices of
a Fund's portfolio securities, the value of shares in a Fund may fluctuate
drastically from day-to-day over a particular period. Equity funds may
underperform funds that invest primarily in other asset classes, such as fixed
income funds.




<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                     <C>
CIF Core Equity Fund............................................................................................
CIF Small Cap Growth Fund.......................................................................................
CIF Small Cap Value Fund........................................................................................
CIF International Equity Fund...................................................................................
Portfolio Management............................................................................................
Purchasing and Redeeming Shares.................................................................................
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes..............................................................................
</TABLE>


To obtain more information about the Company please refer to the Back Cover of
the Prospectus.
<PAGE>   25
CIF CORE EQUITY FUND

INVESTMENT GOAL

Long-term capital appreciation

INVESTMENT FOCUS


A portfolio of common stocks of large and medium capitalization U.S. companies


PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY



The CIF Core Equity Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its total assets,
under normal market conditions, in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks of large and medium capitalization
U.S. companies. Generally, these issuers will have a market capitalization in
the range of the companies in the S&P 500 Composite Index which is the benchmark
index for the Fund. The Fund is designed to add value over its benchmark
primarily through stock selection, rather than sector or style variance, with
volatility similar to that of its benchmark index.



The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective through the construction of
"core" and "satellite" portfolios that emphasize stock selection rather than
sector or style variance. The "core" portfolio, which ordinarily will comprise
approximately 40% of the Fund, utilizes a single Sub-Adviser to track the S&P
500 Composite Index in terms of sector, industry and capitalization, while
adding value through stock selection. The remainder of the Fund is comprised of
several "satellite" portfolios whose Sub-Advisers apply specific investment
strategies, such as growth or value, which may deviate from the benchmark in
terms of volatility and sector selection. The Fund may use derivative
instruments for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.



The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among selected Sub-Advisers,
who in turn manage the assets on a day-to-day basis, subject to oversight by the
Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are Advanced Investment Technology,
Inc. ("AIT"), Iridian Asset Management LLC ("Iridian"), John A. Levin & Co.,
Inc. ("John A. Levin"), Marsico Capital Management LLC ("Marsico Capital") and
State Street Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA"). Each Sub-Adviser selects
investments for its portion of the Fund based on its own investment style and
strategy. AIT, subject to the supervision of SSgA manages a portion of the Fund
that focuses on very large capitalization companies included in the benchmark
index. Iridian employs a value strategy in selecting stocks of medium
capitalization companies based on in-depth company analysis. John A. Levin
selects stocks of large capitalization companies based on fundamental analysis
with attention to defensive factors designed to provide protection in value
driven environments. Marsico Capital employs a growth strategy designed to
succeed in growth driven environments. SSgA manages the "core" portfolio in a
style that emphasizes individual stock selection, but is neutral to the Fund's
benchmark in style, sector and capitalization. For liquidity purposes, SSgA
manages a portion of the Fund in an indexing strategy.


The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and will not limit transactions to avoid tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio
turnover rate may be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result
in higher transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through
to taxable shareholders.

OTHER INVESTMENTS

The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in
other investment practices, which are not principal investments and/or
strategies. These other investments and strategies, as well as those described
in this prospectus, are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information (SAI).

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, repurchase agreements and
short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may not achieve its
investment objective.


PRINCIPAL RISKS

The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily in response to a number of
different factors. In particular, prices of equity securities will respond to
events that affect entire financial markets or industries (changes in inflation
or consumer demand, for example) and to events that affect particular issues
(news about the success or failure of a new product, for example). These price
movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger or smaller depending on
the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade.
Generally, the prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed
income securities.
<PAGE>   26
In addition, at times the Fund's market sector, securities of large
capitalization U.S. companies, may underperform relative to other sectors.

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance,
and may affect the Fund's return. In fact, you can lose money on your investment
in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund share is not a
bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government
agency.

RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES

Equity Securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company
or corporation, and include common stock, preferred stock, and warrants and
other rights to acquire such instruments. Investments in equity securities are
subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The
value of convertible equity securities is also affected by prevailing interest
rates, the credit quantity of the issuer and any call provisions. Fluctuations
in the value of equity securities will not necessarily affect cash income
derived from these securities, but will affect the Fund's net asset value.


Derivatives. Derivatives are instruments which derive their value from an
underlying security, financial asset or an index. One category of derivatives
("Derivative Instruments") are instruments such as futures contracts, options,
forward contracts, and swaps. Derivative Instruments are used to establish
market positions without transacting in the securities by which their value is
measured. Derivative Instruments often are used to adjust the risk
characteristics of a portfolio of securities investments. A second category of
derivatives ("Derivative Securities") are securities that carry rights to other
securities, such as, for example, a security convertible into some other
security. The primary risks of Derivative Instruments are that changes in the
market value of securities held by the Fund, and of derivatives relating to
those securities, may not be proportionate, there may not be a liquid market for
the Fund to sell a derivative which could result in difficulty closing the
position and certain derivatives can magnify the extent of losses incurred due
to changes in market value of the securities to which they relate. In addition,
some Derivative Instruments are subject to counterparty risk. See the SAI for
more about the risks of different types of derivatives.


PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations,
and did not have a performance history.

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Investment Advisory Fees                    0.45%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                   None
Other Expenses*                             0.20%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES        0.65%

  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements    0.10%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES          0.55%**
</TABLE>

*      OTHER EXPENSES WERE ESTIMATED ASSUMING AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE
       FUND OF $100 MILLION.

**     THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
       REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE
       FUND, IN ORDER TO KEEP TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING 0.55% OF
       AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS PER YEAR. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR
       TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.


EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:

<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 56*
         3 Years           $ 176*
</TABLE>


*      EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
       AFTER THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
       (0.55%).

<PAGE>   27
CIF SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

INVESTMENT GOAL

Long-term capital appreciation

INVESTMENT FOCUS

A portfolio of growth oriented common stocks of smaller capitalization U.S.
companies

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY


The CIF Small Cap Growth Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its total
assets, under normal conditions, in growth oriented equity securities of small
U.S. companies. Generally, these issuers will have a market capitalization in
the range of the companies in the Russell 2000 Growth Index which is the
benchmark index for the Fund. The Fund is designed to add value primarily
through stock selection, rather than sector or style variance, with volatility
similar to that of its benchmark index.



The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by emphasizing investment in companies
that the Sub-Advisers believe have strong earnings momentum, dominant market
share in growing industries, and positive changes in analysts' expectations or
better than anticipated earnings reports. The Fund is constructed around three
principal strategies: aggressive, core and defensive. The aggressive strategy
generally is more volatile and provides for greater sector variances than the
Russell 2000 Growth Index. The defensive strategy is designed to have lower
volatility and add value primarily during down markets. The core strategy
generally will have risk and portfolio characteristics similar to the Russell
2000 Growth Index. The Fund may use derivative instruments for both hedging and
non-hedging purposes.


The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among Sub-Advisers, who in
turn manage the Fund's assets on a day-to-day basis, subject to oversight by the
Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are Artisan Partners, L.P.
("Artisan"), CapitalWorks Investment Partners ("CapitalWorks Investment"),
Constitution Research & Management, Inc. ("Constitution Research"), GlobeFlex
Capital, L.P. ("GlobeFlex Capital"), Veredus Asset Management, LLC ("Veredus")
and State Street Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA"). Each Sub-Adviser selects
investments for its portion of the Fund based on its own investment style and
strategy. Artisan manages the defensive portion of the Fund to provide downside
protection in value driven environments. CapitalWorks Investment manages the
aggressive portion of the Fund. Constitution Research and Veredus manage
combination aggressive-core portions of the Fund. For liquidity purposes, SSgA
manages its portion of the Fund in a small company growth indexing strategy.


The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and will not limit transactions to avoid tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio
turnover rate may be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result
in higher transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through
to taxable shareholders.



OTHER INVESTMENTS

The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and/or engage
in other investment practices, which are not principal investments and
strategies. These other investments and strategies, as well as those described
in this prospectus, are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information (SAI).

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, repurchase agreements and
short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may not achieve its
investment objective.


PRINCIPAL RISKS

The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily in response to a number of
different factors. In particular, prices of equity securities will respond to
events that affect entire financial markets or industries (changes in inflation
or consumer demand, for example) and to events that affect particular issues
(news about the success or failure of a new product, for example). These price
movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger or smaller depending on
the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade.
Generally, the prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed
income securities.

The risk of investing in equity securities is intensified in the case of the
small companies in which the Fund
<PAGE>   28
will invest. Market prices for such companies' equity securities tend to be more
volatile than those of larger, more established companies and such companies may
themselves be more vulnerable to economic or company specific problems. Because
of high valuations placed on companies with growth prospects within certain
sectors, such as technology, biotechnology and internet, the Fund may own
securities of companies that have significant market capitalizations despite a
general lack of operating history and/or positive earnings.

In addition, at times the Fund's market sector, growth-oriented equity
securities of small companies, may underperform relative to other sectors.

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance,
and may affect the Fund's return. In fact, you can lose money on your investment
in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund share is not a
bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government
agency.


RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES

Equity Securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company
or corporation, and include common stock, preferred stock, and warrants and
other rights to acquire such instruments. Investments in equity securities are
subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time.
Fluctuations in the value of equity securities will not necessarily affect cash
income derived from these securities, but will affect the Fund's net asset
value.

Derivatives. Derivatives are instruments which derive their value from an
underlying security, financial asset or an index. One category of derivatives
("Derivative Instruments") are instruments such as futures contracts, options,
forward contracts, and swaps. Derivative Instruments are used to establish
market positions without transacting in the securities by which their value is
measured. Derivative Instruments often are used to adjust the risk
characteristics of a portfolio of securities investments. A second category of
derivatives ("Derivative Securities") are securities that carry rights to other
securities, such as, for example, a security convertible into some other
security. The primary risks of Derivative Instruments are that changes in the
market value of securities held by the Fund, and of derivatives relating to
those securities, may not be proportionate, there may not be a liquid market for
the Fund to sell a derivative which could result in difficulty closing the
position and certain derivatives can magnify the extent of losses incurred due
to changes in market value of the securities to which they relate. In addition,
some Derivative Instruments are subject to counterparty risk. See the SAI for
more about the risks of different types of derivatives.


PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations,
and did not have a performance history.


FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.


ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Investment Advisory Fees                    0.90%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                   None
Other Expenses*                             0.20%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES        1.10%

  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements    0.10%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES          1.00%**
</TABLE>

*      OTHER EXPENSES WERE ESTIMATED ASSUMING AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE
       FUND OF $100 MILLION.


**     THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
       REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE
       FUND, IN ORDER TO KEEP TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING 1.00% OF
       AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS PER YEAR. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR
       TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

<PAGE>   29
EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:


<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 102*
         3 Years           $ 318*
</TABLE>



*    EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER
     THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS (1.00%).

<PAGE>   30
CIF SMALL CAP VALUE FUND


INVESTMENT GOAL

Long-term capital appreciation


INVESTMENT FOCUS
A portfolio of value oriented common stocks of smaller capitalization U.S.
companies


PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY


The CIF Small Cap Value Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its total
assets, under normal market conditions, in value oriented securities of small
U.S. companies. Generally, these issuers will have a market capitalization in
the range of companies in the Russell 2000 Value Index which is the benchmark
index for the Fund. The Fund is designed to add value primarily through stock
selection, rather than sector or style rotation, and to exhibit volatility
similar to that of its benchmark index.



The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by emphasizing investment in companies
that exhibit traditional value characteristics, such as below average
price-to-earnings, price-to-book value and price-to-cash flow ratios. The Fund
is constructed using multiple strategies designed to select different types of
companies in the benchmark index. The Fund may use derivative instruments for
both hedging and non-hedging purposes.



The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among selected Sub-Advisers,
who in turn manage the Fund's assets on a day-to-day basis, subject to oversight
by the Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are High Rock Capital LLC
("High Rock Capital"), Martingale Asset Management, L.P. ("Martingale"),
NorthPointe Capital LLC ("NorthPointe"), Shapiro Capital Management Company,
Inc. ("Shapiro Capital"), Skyline Asset Management, L.P. ("Skyline"), and State
Street Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA"). Each Sub-Adviser selects investments for
its portion of the Fund based on its own investment style and strategy. High
Rock Capital's investment strategy emphasizes research of issuers' business
quality, business valuation and business catalysts. Martingale utilizes a
quantitative strategy designed to minimize the impact of the Fund's largest
holdings and reduce tracking error against the benchmark. NorthPointe invests in
securities that it believes are undervalued and have good earnings growth
potential. Shapiro Capital concentrates on a portfolio of securities selling at
a substantial discount to normalized earnings power. Skyline focuses on
attractively priced securities, such as those with below average
price-to-earnings ratios, with increasing earnings. For liquidity purposes, SSgA
manages its portion of the Fund in a small company value indexing strategy.


The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and will not limit transactions to avoid tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio
turnover rate may be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result
in higher transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through
to taxable shareholders.


OTHER INVESTMENTS

The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in
other investment practices, which are not principal investments and/or
strategies. These other investments and strategies, as well as those described
in this prospectus, are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information (SAI).

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, repurchase agreements and
short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may not achieve its
investment objective.


PRINCIPAL RISKS

The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily in response to a number of
different factors. In particular, prices of equity securities will respond to
events that affect entire financial markets or industries (changes in inflation
or consumer demand, for example) and to events that affect particular issues
(news about the success or failure of a new product, for example). These price
movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger or smaller depending on
the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade.
Generally, the prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed
income securities.

The risk of investing in equity securities is intensified in the case of the
small companies in which the Fund will invest. Market prices for such companies'
equity
<PAGE>   31
securities tend to be more volatile than those of larger, more established
companies. Such companies may themselves be more vulnerable to economic or
company specific problems.

In addition, at times the Fund's market sector, value-oriented equity securities
of small companies, may underperform relative to other sectors.

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance,
and may affect the Fund's return. In fact, you can lose money on your investment
in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund share is not a
bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government
agency.


RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES

Equity Securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company
or corporation, and include common stock, preferred stock, and warrants and
other rights to acquire such instruments. Investments in equity securities are
subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time.
Fluctuations in the value of equity securities will not necessarily affect cash
income derived from these securities, but will affect the Fund's net asset
value.

Derivatives. Derivatives are instruments which derive their value from an
underlying security, financial asset or an index. One category of derivatives
("Derivative Instruments") are instruments such as futures contracts, options,
forward contracts, and swaps. Derivative Instruments are used to establish
market positions without transacting in the securities by which their value is
measured. Derivative Instruments often are used to adjust the risk
characteristics of a portfolio of securities investments. A second category of
derivatives ("Derivative Securities") are securities that carry rights to other
securities, such as, for example, a security convertible into some other
security. The primary risks of Derivative Instruments are that changes in the
market value of securities held by the Fund, and of derivatives relating to
those securities, may not be proportionate, there may not be a liquid market for
the Fund to sell a derivative which could result in difficulty closing the
position and certain derivatives can magnify the extent of losses incurred due
to changes in market value of the securities to which they relate. In addition,
some Derivative Instruments are subject to counterparty risk. See the SAI for
more about the risks of different types of derivatives.


PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations,
and did not have a performance history.


FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.


ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)


<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Investment Advisory Fees                    0.90%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                   None
Other Expenses*                             0.20%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES        1.10%

  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements    0.10%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES          1.00%**
</TABLE>


*    OTHER EXPENSES WERE ESTIMATED ASSUMING AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE FUND
     OF $100 MILLION.

**   THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
     REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE FUND,
     IN ORDER TO KEEP TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING 1.00% OF NET
     ASSETS PER YEAR. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE
     CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
<PAGE>   32
EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:


<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 102*
         3 Years           $ 318*
</TABLE>



*    EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER
     THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS (1.00%).

<PAGE>   33
CIF INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND


INVESTMENT GOAL

Long-term capital appreciation


INVESTMENT FOCUS

A portfolio of equity securities of non-U.S. issuers


PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY


The CIF International Equity Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its total
assets, under normal market conditions, in common stocks and other equity
securities of foreign companies. The Fund generally invests in equity securities
of non-U.S. issuers represented in the MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East)
Index, which is the benchmark of the Fund and which includes most developed
countries in those regions. The Fund also may invest up to 10% of its assets in
equity securities of issuers located in emerging markets. The Fund may also
enter into forward and futures contracts to hedge currency exposure.


The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective through the construction of
"core" and "satellite" portfolios. The "core" portfolio, which ordinarily will
comprise approximately 50% of the Fund, utilizes a market-oriented Sub-Adviser
with a strong bottom-up stock selection and sector allocation style that favors
both value and growth stocks. Up to 50% of the Fund will be comprised of
"satellite" portfolios whose Sub-Advisers apply a more targeted investment
strategy, such as growth or value, and which may deviate more from the benchmark
in terms of volatility and stock selection. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its
assets in a passively managed international equity index strategy.

The Investment Manager allocates the Fund's assets among selected Sub-Advisers,
who in turn manage the Fund's assets on a day-to-day basis, subject to oversight
by the Investment Manager. The initial Sub-Advisers are Capital Guardian Trust
Company ("Capital Guardian"), Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co., LLC ("GMO"),
TT International Investment Management ("TT International") and State Street
Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA"). Each Sub-Adviser selects investments for its
portion of the Fund's assets based on its own investment style and strategy.
Capital Guardian manages the "core" portfolio by applying a market-oriented
approach that includes bottom up stock selection and sector allocation. Country
allocation is a by-product of the stock selection process. GMO applies a value
oriented approach to selecting investments. TT International uses a growth
oriented approach to stock selection coupled with geo-political country
analysis. For liquidity purposes, SSgA manages its portion of the Fund in an
international equity indexing strategy.

The Sub-Advisers seek to achieve the Fund's objectives on a total return basis
and will not limit transactions to avoid tax consequences. The Fund's portfolio
turnover rate may be higher as a result. Higher portfolio turnover will result
in higher transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through
to taxable shareholders.


OTHER INVESTMENTS

The Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and/or engage
in other investment practices, which are not principal investments and
strategies. These other investments and strategies, as well as those described
in this prospectus, are described in greater detail in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information (SAI).

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, repurchase agreements and
short-term obligations. When so invested, the Fund may not achieve its
investment objective.


PRINCIPAL RISKS

The value of an investment in the Fund is based on the market value of the
securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily in response to a number of
different factors. In particular, prices of equity securities will respond to
events that affect entire financial markets or industries (changes in inflation
or consumer demand, for example) and to events that affect particular issues
(news about the success or failure of a new product, for example). These price
movements, sometimes called volatility, may be larger or smaller depending on
the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade.
Generally, the prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed
income securities.

The Investment Manager's allocation of Fund assets to the Sub-Advisers and the
Sub-Advisers' judgments about the markets, the economy and/or companies may not
anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance,
and
<PAGE>   34
may affect the Fund's return. In fact, you can lose money on your investment
in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund share is not a
bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government
agency.


RISKS OF HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES

Equity Securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company
or corporation, and include common stock, preferred stock, and warrants and
other rights to acquire such instruments. Investments in equity securities are
subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The
value of convertible equity securities is also affected by prevailing interest
rates, the credit quantity of the issuer and any call provisions. Fluctuations
in the value of equity securities will not necessarily affect cash income
derived from these securities, but will affect the Fund's net asset value.

Foreign Securities. Investing in foreign countries entails the risk that news
and events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their
issuers. These same events will not necessarily have an effect on the U.S.
economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, the Fund's
investments in foreign countries generally will be denominated in foreign
currencies. As a result, changes in the value of a country's currency compared
to the U.S. dollar may affect the value of the Fund's investments. These changes
may occur separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect
the value of the security in the issuer's home country.

Emerging Market Risks. The Fund may invest in emerging market countries, which
are countries that major international financial institutions, such as the World
Bank, generally consider to be less economically mature than developed nations,
such as the United States or most nations in Western Europe. Emerging market
countries can include every nation in the world except the United States,
Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and most countries located in Western
Europe. Emerging market countries may be more likely to experience political
turmoil or rapid changes in economic conditions than more developed countries,
and the financial condition of issuers in emerging market countries may be more
precarious than in other countries. These characteristics result in greater risk
of price volatility in emerging market countries, which may be heightened by
currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar.

Derivatives. Derivatives are instruments which derive their value from an
underlying security, financial asset or an index. One category of derivatives
("Derivative Instruments") are instruments such as futures contracts, options,
forward contracts, and swaps. Derivative Instruments are used to establish
market positions without transacting in the securities by which their value is
measured. Derivative Instruments often are used to adjust the risk
characteristics of a portfolio of securities investments. A second category of
derivatives ("Derivative Securities") are securities that carry rights to other
securities, such as, for example, a security convertible into some other
security. The primary risks of Derivative Instruments are that changes in the
market value of securities held by the Fund, and of derivatives relating to
those securities, may not be proportionate, there may not be a liquid market for
the Fund to sell a derivative which could result in difficulty closing the
position and certain derivatives can magnify the extent of losses incurred due
to changes in market value of the securities to which they relate. In addition,
some Derivative Instruments are subject to counterparty risk. See the SAI for
more about the risks of different types of derivatives.


PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations,
and did not have a performance history.


FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you will pay if you buy
and hold shares of the Fund.


ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from Fund assets)


<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Investment Advisory Fees                    0.70%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees                   None
Other Expenses*                             0.20%

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES        0.90%

 Fee waivers and expense reimbursements     0.10%

NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES          0.80%**
</TABLE>


*    OTHER EXPENSES WERE ESTIMATED ASSUMING AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE FUND
     OF $100 MILLION.
<PAGE>   35

 **     THE INVESTMENT MANAGER HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE FEES AND TO
        REIMBURSE EXPENSES, SO LONG AS IT SERVES AS INVESTMENT MANAGER TO THE
        FUND, IN ORDER TO KEEP TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FROM EXCEEDING 0.80%
        OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS PER YEAR. THIS FEE WAIVER MAY BE AMENDED OR
        TERMINATED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.



EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also
assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your
approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:


<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
         1 Year            $ 82*
         3 Years           $255*
</TABLE>



*      EXPENSES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER
       THE INVESTMENT MANAGER'S FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS (0.80%).

<PAGE>   36
INVESTMENT MANAGER

COMMONFUND ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC. is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations ("CommonFund").
Employees of the Investment Manager also are responsible for CommonFund's
investment program, which is comprised of more than 40 funds with more than $22
billion in assets and is conducted in a "manager of managers" format. The Fund
will pay the Investment Manager an annual fee based on the average net assets
for its services, as follows:


<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
CIF Core Equity Fund                0.45%
CIF Small Cap Growth Fund           0.90%
CIF Small Cap Value Fund            0.90%
CIF International Equity Fund       0.70%
</TABLE>


The Investment Manager acts as a "manager of managers" for the Fund, and
supervises adherence by the Sub-Advisers with each Fund's investment policies
and guidelines. The Investment Manager can also recommend the appointment of
additional or replacement Sub-Advisers to the Company's Board of Directors. The
Fund and the Investment Manager applied for exemptive relief from the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to permit the Investment Manager and the
Company to add or terminate Sub-Advisers without shareholder approval.

The Investment Manager employs a team to supervise the Sub-Advisers, which
includes the following members:


Todd E. Petzel, President and Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Petzel assumed the
position of President and Chief Investment Officer of Commonfund Asset
Management Company, Inc. as of August 1999. From January 1996 until July 1999,
he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for
CommonFund. Prior to that, Mr. Petzel was Executive Vice President, Business
Development of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME"), and prior to 1994,
Senior Vice President, Research and Chief Economist of the CME. Mr. Petzel
received his A.B., A.M., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago.



Elizabeth E. Schaefer, Senior Vice President and Head of Domestic Equity. Ms.
Schaefer assumed the position of Senior Vice President, Head of Domestic
Equities of Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc. as of August 1999. From
February 1996 until July 1999 she served as Senior Vice President, Head of
Domestic Equities for CommonFund. Prior to joining Commonfund, Ms. Schaefer was
Vice President and Assistant Portfolio Manager/Analyst for the Multi-Manager
Equity fund at Evaluation Associates, Inc., where she was also responsible for
the day-to-day monitoring of client portfolios. Ms. Schaefer holds a B.A. from
the College of New Rochelle and an M.B.A. from Iona College.



Curt R. Tobey, Senior Vice President Head of International Equity. Mr. Tobey
assumed the position of Senior Vice President, Head of International Equities of
Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc. as of August 1999. From June 1983
until July 1999 he served as Senior Vice President, Head of International
Equities for Commonfund. Prior to joining CommonFund, Mr. Tobey served as
portfolio analyst at ITB Management Company in Boston and assistant investment
manager of Wellesley College's endowment. He has a B.A. from the University of
Vermont and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Northwestern University.



Lawrence M. Goldsmith, Managing Director/Fund Manager and a member of the
Domestic Equity Team. Mr. Goldsmith joined Commonfund Asset Management Company,
Inc. in 1999. Prior to joining CommonFund in 1999, he served as Director - Trust
Investments of Fluor Corporation. Prior to joining Fluor in 1994, Mr. Goldsmith
served as the manager of Toyota's U.S.A. headquarters-based retirement plans. He
has a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of
Business.



Safia Mehta, Managing Director and Fund Manager of Emerging and International
Markets. Ms. Mehta joined Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc. in 1999. She
joined Commonfund from Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan Investment Management
Limited (HOOPP). She has over 15 years of financial industry experience. Ms.
Mehta is a graduate of the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Accountant
(Canada).



INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

CIF CORE EQUITY FUND


-    Advanced Investment Technology, Inc. ("AIT"), subject to the supervision of
     State Street Global

<PAGE>   37

     Advisors, Inc., its majority owner, serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Core
     Equity Fund. AIT, located at 311 Park Place Boulevard, Suite 250,
     Clearwater, FL 33759, provides investment advisory services to individuals,
     public funds and other institutional investors. Established in 1996, AIT
     has $875 million in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     Douglas Case, CFA, serves as portfolio manager to the CIF Core Equity Fund.
     Mr. Case is President and Chief Investment Officer of AIT. Mr. Case has
     been with the firm since 1994 and has over 12 years of investment
     experience.



-    Iridian Asset Management LLC ("Iridian") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
     Core Equity Fund. Iridian, located at 276 Post Road West, Westport, CT
     06880, provides investment advisory services to individuals, investment
     companies, and other institutions. Established in 1995, Iridian has $9.48
     billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     David L. Cohen and Harold J. Levy serve as portfolio managers to the CIF
     Core Equity Fund. Both are a Principal/Portfolio Manager and have been with
     Iridian since its inception in November 1995. Mr. Cohen and Mr. Levy each
     have over 20 years of investment experience.



-    John A. Levin & Co., Inc. ("John A. Levin") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
     CIF Core Equity Fund. John A. Levin, located at One Rockefeller Plaza, 25th
     Floor, New York, NY 10020, provides investment advisory services to
     individuals, investment companies, and other institutions. Established in
     1982, John A. Levin has $10.5 billion in assets under management as of
     September 30, 2000.



     An investment team headed by John A. Levin provides investment advice for
     the CIF Core Equity Fund. Mr. Levin is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
     and has been with John A. Levin since its founding in 1982. Mr. Levin has
     over 37 years of investment experience.



-    Marsico Capital Management LLC ("Marsico Capital") serves as Sub-Adviser to
     the CIF Core Equity Fund. Marsico Capital, located at 1200 Seventeenth
     Street, Suite 1300, Denver, CO 80202, provides investment advisory services
     to individuals, investment companies, and other institutions. Established
     in 1997, Marsico Capital has $15.5 billion in assets under management as of
     September 30, 2000.



     An investment team headed by Thomas F. Marsico provides investment advice
     for the CIF Core Equity Fund. Mr. Marsico is Chairman, Chief Executive
     Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager and has been with Marsico Capital
     since its founding in 1997. Prior to joining Marsico Capital, Mr. Marsico
     was a portfolio manager with Janus Capital Corporation from 1986-1997. Mr.
     Marsico has over 14 years of investment experience.



-    State Street Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
     CIF Core Equity Fund. SSgA, located at One International Place, Boston, MA
     02110, provides investment advisory services to corporations, public funds
     and other institutional investors. Established in 1994, SSgA has $741.2
     billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     An investment team at SSgA's Enhanced Strategies division headed by Douglas
     Holmes provides investment advice for the index plus strategy of the CIF
     Core Equity Fund. Mr. Holmes is head of SSgA's Enhanced Strategies division
     and has been with the firm since 1984. Mr. Holmes has over 20 years of
     investment experience.



     The cash management strategy which will provide liquidity for the CIF Core
     Equity Fund is managed by an investment team at SSgA's Structured Products
     Division.



CIF SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND


-    Artisan Partners, L.P. ("Artisan") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small
     Cap Growth Fund. Artisan, located at 1000 North Water Street, Suite 1770,
     Milwaukee, WI 53202, provides investment advisory services to corporations,
     public funds and other institutional investors. Established in 1994,
     Artisan has $10.6 billion in assets under management as of September 30,
     2000.



     An investment team headed by Carlene M. Ziegler and Marina T. Carlson
     provides investment advice for the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Ms. Ziegler
     is a Managing Partner and has been with Artisan since its inception in
     January, 1995. Ms. Ziegler has over 20 years of

<PAGE>   38

     investment experience. Ms. Carlson has been with Artisan since April 1999
     and has over 14 years experience in the investment business. Prior to
     joining Artisan, Ms. Carlson was a portfolio manager with Strong Capital
     Management, Inc. from 1991-1999.



-    CapitalWorks Investment Partners ("CapitalWorks Investment") serves as
     Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. CapitalWorks, located at 401
     West A Street, Suite 1675, San Diego, CA 92101 provides investment advisory
     services to individuals, investment companies and other institutions.
     Established in 1998, CapitalWorks Investment has $1.18 billion in assets
     under management as of September 30, 2000.



     John C. Marshall, Jr. and John D. Wylie serve as portfolio managers to the
     CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Both are Managing Principals/Portfolio Managers
     and have been with CapitalWorks since its inception in March 1998. Prior to
     joining CapitalWorks, Mr. Marshall was a portfolio manager with
     Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management from 1989-1998 and Mr. Wylie was
     President of Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management from 1987-1996. Mr.
     Marshall and Mr. Wylie each has over 13 years investment experience.



-    Constitution Research & Management, LLC ("Constitution Research") serves as
     Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Constitution Research,
     located at One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, MA 02111, provides
     investment advisory services to individuals, investment companies and other
     institutions. Established in 1989, Constitution Research has $653 million
     in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     Wallace W. Wadman and Richard M. Drury serve as portfolio managers to the
     CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Mr. Wadman is Chairman of Constitution Research
     and has been with the firm since November 1989. He has over 35 years of
     investment experience. Mr. Drury is President of Constitution Research and
     has been with the firm since October 1992. He has over 28 years of
     investment experience.



-    GlobeFlex Capital, L.P. ("GlobeFlex Capital") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
     CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. GlobeFlex Capital, located at 4365 Executive
     Drive, Suite 720, San Diego, CA 92121, provides investment advisory
     services to individuals, investment companies, and other institutions.
     Established in 1994, GlobeFlex Capital has $1.02 billion in assets under
     management as of September 30, 2000.



     An investment team headed by Robert J. Anslow, Jr. provides investment
     advice for the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Mr. Anslow is Chief Investment
     Officer of GlobeFlex Capital, and has been with the firm since its
     inception in January 1994. Mr. Anslow has over 19 years of investment
     experience.


-    State Street Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
     CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Information about SSgA is included under the CIF
     Core Equity Fund listed above.


     The cash management strategy which will provide liquidity for the CIF Small
     Cap Growth Fund, is managed by an investment team at SSgA's Structured
     Products Division.



-    Veredus Asset Management, LLC ("Veredus") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
     Small Cap Growth Fund. Veredus, located at 6060 Dutchmans Lane, Suite 320,
     Louisville, KY 40205, provides investment advisory services to individuals,
     investment companies, and other institutions. Established in 1998, Veredus
     has $546 million in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     An investment team headed by B. Anthony Weber provides investment advice
     for the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Mr. Weber is Chief Investment Officer
     and has been with the firm since its inception in April 1998. Prior to
     joining Veredus, Mr. Weber was President of SMC Capital, Inc. from
     1993-1998. Mr. Weber has over 19 years of investment experience.



CIF SMALL CAP VALUE FUND


-    High Rock Capital LLC ("High Rock Capital") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
     CIF Small Cap Value Fund. High Rock Capital, located at 28 State Street,
     Boston, MA 02109 provides investment advisory services to individuals,
     investment companies, and other institutions. Established in 1997, High
     Rock Capital has $1.95 billion in assets under management as of September
     30, 2000.

<PAGE>   39

     An investment team headed by David L. Diamond provides investment advice
     for the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Mr. Diamond is Chief Investment Officer
     of High Rock Capital and has been with the firm since its inception in
     November 1997. Prior to joining High Rock Capital, Mr. Diamond was a
     portfolio manager with the Boston Company Asset Management, Inc. from
     1991-1997. Mr. Diamond has over 14 years of investment experience.



-    Martingale Asset Management, LLC ("Martingale") serves as Sub-Adviser to
     the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Martingale, located at 222 Berkely Street,
     Boston, MA 02116, provides investment advisory services to corporations,
     public funds and other institutional investors. Established in 1987,
     Martingale has $1.41 billion in assets under management as of September 30,
     2000.



     An investment team headed by William E. Jacques provides investment advice
     for the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Mr. Jacques is Chief Investment Officer
     of Martingale and has been with the firm since its inception in June 1987.
     Mr. Jacques has over 24 years of investment experience.



-    NorthPointe Capital LLC ("NorthPointe") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
     Small Cap Value Fund. NorthPointe, located at 201 West Big Beaver, Columbia
     Center One, 10th Floor, Suite 1000, Troy, MI provides investment advisory
     services to corporations, public funds and other institutional investors.
     Established in 1999, NorthPointe has $381 million in assets under
     management as of September 30, 2000.



     Jeffrey C. Petherick and Mary C. Champagne serve as portfolio managers to
     the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Both have been with NorthPointe since January
     2000. Prior to joining NorthPointe, Mr. Petherick and Ms. Champagne were
     portfolio managers with Loomis, Sayles & Company, LLP from 1990-2000 and
     1993-2000, respectively. Mr. Petherick and Ms. Champagne each has over 15
     years of investment experience.



-    Shapiro Capital Management Company, Inc. ("Shapiro Capital") serves as
     Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Shapiro Capital, located at
     One Buckhead Plaza Suite 650, 3060 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305,
     provides investment advisory services to individual investment companies
     and other institutions. Established in 1989, Shapiro Capital has $1.01
     billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     An investment team led by Samuel R. Shapiro provides investment advice for
     the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Mr. Shapiro is President and Chief Executive
     Officer of Shapiro Capital, and has been with the firm since its inception
     in December 1989. Mr. Shapiro has over 23 years of investment experience.



-    Skyline Asset Management, L.P. ("Skyline") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
     Small Cap Value Fund. Skyline, located at 311 South Wacker Dr., Suite
     4500, Chicago, IL 60606, provides investment advisory services to
     individuals, investment companies and other institutions. Established in
     1995, Skyline has $654 million in assets under management as of September
     30, 2000.



     An investment team led by William M. Dutton provides investment advice for
     the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Mr. Dutton is Chief Investment Officer of
     Skyline and has been with the firm since its inception in June 1995. Mr.
     Dutton has over 13 years of investment experience.


-    State Street Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA"), serves as Sub-Adviser to the
     CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Information about SSgA is included under the CIF
     Core Equity Fund listed above.


     The cash management strategy which will provide liquidity for the CIF Small
     Cap Value Fund, is managed by an investment team at SSgA's Structured
     Products Division.




CIF INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND



-    Capital Guardian Trust Company ("Capital Guardian") serves as Sub-Adviser
     to the CIF International Equity Fund. Capital Guardian, located at 630
     Fifth Ave., 36th Floor, New York, NY 10111, provides investment advisory
     services to institutional and private clients. Established in 1931, Capital
     Guardian has $125 billion in assets under management as of September 30,
     2000.



     An investment team at Capital Guardian's International Active Division
     headed by David I.

<PAGE>   40

     Fisher provides investment advice for the CIF International Equity Fund.
     Mr. Fisher has been with Capital Guardian since December 1971 and has over
     34 years of investment experience.



-    Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co., LLC ("GMO") serves as Sub-Adviser to
     the CIF International Equity Fund. GMO, located at 40 Rowes Wharf, Boston,
     MA 02110, provides investment advisory services to individuals, investment
     companies and other institutions. Established in 1977, GMO has $22.4
     billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     Ann M. Spruill and Jui L. Lai serve as portfolio managers to the CIF
     International Equity Fund. Ms. Spruill and Ms. Lai have been with GMO since
     1990 and 1998, respectively. Ms. Spruill and Ms. Lai each has over 12 years
     of investment experience.



-    TT International Investment Management ("TT International") serves as
     Sub-Adviser to the CIF International Equity Fund. TT International, located
     at Martin House, 5 Martin Lane, London, EC4R ODP, England, provides
     investment advisory services to corporations, public funds and other
     institutional clients. Established in 1993, TT International has $7.65
     billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2000.



     An investment team headed by Timothy A. Tacchi provides investment advice
     for the CIF International Equity Fund. Mr. Tacchi is Senior Partner and has
     been with the firm since its inception in July 1993. Mr. Tacchi has over 17
     years of investment experience.


-    State Street Global Advisors, Inc. ("SSgA") serves as Sub-Adviser to the
     CIF International Equity Fund. Information about SSgA is included under the
     CIF Core Equity Fund listed above.


     The cash management strategy which will provide liquidity for the CIF
     International Equity Fund, is managed by an investment team at SSgA's
     Structured Products Division.



PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF SUB-ADVISERS


The following tables present composite investment returns of all relevant
discretionary accounts and investment companies managed by each Sub-Adviser that
have investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially
similar to the Funds' in all material respects. The Sub-Advisers have provided
this information and have informed the Funds that it is calculated using a
methodology that is consistent with industry AIMR Performance Presentation
Standards. This table does not indicate how a Fund may perform in the future.
The extent to which the performance of a particular Sub-Adviser affects a Fund's
performance will be limited to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated to
that Sub-Adviser by the Investment Manager.



Performance results below reflect the deduction of net annual fund operating
expenses after the Investment Manager's fee waivers.


To the extent that these accounts are not registered investment companies, they
are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements
and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
Internal Revenue Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected
performance results.

CIF Core Equity Fund


Historical Performance for Periods Ended
September 30, 2000


Average Annual Total Return


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Past          Past
                   Past one      three         five          Past ten
                   year          years         years         years
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
AIT                17.58%        N/A           N/A           N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Iridian            7.63%         13.17%        19.07%        22.06%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
John A. Levin      24.37%        17.20%        20.24%        18.89%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Marsico
Capital            31.02%        N/A           N/A           N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SSgA               12.96%        16.52%        21.92%        N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500
Composite
Index              13.32%        16.47%        21.69%        19.44%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


CIF Small Cap Growth Fund


Historical Performance for Periods Ended
September 30, 2000


Average Annual Total Return
<PAGE>   41

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Past          Past
                      Past one      three         five          Past ten
                      year          years         years         years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Artisan               19.74%        8.82%         N/A           N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CapitalWorks
Investment            74.19%        N/A           N/A           N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Constitution
Research              94.71%        44.09%        35.76%        30.42%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
GlobeFlex Capital     31.85%        N/A           N/A           N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veredus               74.39%        36.90%        27.81%        27.32%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell 2000
Growth Index          29.66%         8.94%        12.40%        16.26%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


CIF Small Cap Value Fund


Historical Performance for Periods Ended
September 30, 2000


Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Past           Past
                      Past one       three          five           Past ten
                      year           years          years          years
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
High Rock
Capital               N/A            N/A            N/A            N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martingale            N/A            N/A            N/A            N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NorthPointe           34.05%         6.85%          17.10%         N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shapiro Capital       2.19%          -1.09%         11.94%         N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skyline               14.94%         -2.82%         11.64%         18.56%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell 2000
Value Index           15.35%          2.11%         11.49%         16.97%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


CIF International Equity Fund


Historical Performance for Periods Ended
September 30, 2000


Average Annual Total Return


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Past            Past
                       Past one        three           five            Past ten
                       year            years           years           years
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Capital Guardian       13.37%          16.07%          17.19%          15.37%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GMO                    2.11%           6.59%           10.78%          12.25%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TT International       28.87%          16.16%          21.03%          N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI EAFE Index         3.20%           7.39%           8.58%          9.63%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



INVESTING IN THE COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS - A SUMMARY:



In order to open a new account, you must complete and mail the New Account
Application that you receive with this prospectus to:


              Commonfund Institutional Funds
              15 Old Danbury Road
              P.O. Box 812
              Wilton, CT 06897-0812

The minimum initial investment for each Fund is $1,000,000 for institutions and
$1,000 for Eligible Individuals. The minimum subsequent investment is $1,000,
except that no minimum applies to reinvestments from dividends and
distributions. The minimum initial investment may be waived by the Investment
Manager.


Once you are a shareholder of the Commonfund
Institutional Funds you can do the following:



*             Via Internet - Shareholders can request
              a transaction by logging on to
              WWW.COMMONFUND.ORG



*             Purchase or redeem Fund shares by phone:



              Call 1-888-404-1454 to place a trade.



*             Purchase Fund shares by wiring federal
              funds or by electronically transferring
              funds through ACH to:



              Bancorp
              ABA #031101114
              Account #0011001338
              Further Credit: TA2 Bancorp, the fund name,
              shareholder name and shareholder account
              number must be specified

<PAGE>   42
PURCHASING AND REDEEMING COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS SHARES

This section tells you how to purchase and redeem shares of a Fund.


PURCHASING SHARES


WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES?

You may purchase shares of each Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") and the Federal Reserve System are both open for business (a "Business
Day").

To open an account:


Please send your completed New Account Application to Commonfund Institutional
Funds, 15 Old Danbury Rd., P.O. Box 812, Wilton, CT 06897-0812. All investments
by institutions must be made by wire or ACH.



Please call the Funds to let us know that you intend to make an investment. You
will need to instruct your bank to wire federal funds or to electronically
transfer funds through ACH to: Bancorp, ABA #031101114; Account #0011001338;
Further Credit: TA2Bancorp. The fund name, shareholder name and shareholder
account number must be specified in the wire.



HOW ARE FUND SHARE PRICES CALCULATED?


The price per share (the offering price) for the Fund will be determined after
the Fund receives your purchase order in good order (defined below). The Fund's
NAV is calculated once each Business Day at the regularly scheduled close of
normal trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally, 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time).



NET ASSET VALUE

NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of all of the net
assets in the Fund. In calculating NAV, a Fund generally values its portfolio at
market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Investment Manager thinks
that they are unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith
using methods approved by the Board of Directors.


ACCEPTANCE OF SUBSCRIPTIONS


In order for your purchase to be processed on the trade date, your order must be
in good order prior to the time the Fund determines its NAV. To be in good
order, a Fund must receive funds by 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. We may reject any
purchase order if we determine that accepting the order would not be in the best
interests of the Fund or its shareholders.



PURCHASING ADDITIONAL SHARES


Current shareholders are eligible to purchase shares by phone by calling
1-888-404-1454 if they have requested that privilege by checking the appropriate
box on the New Account Application.



PURCHASES BY ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

Eligible Individuals may purchase shares by mail at the address of Commonfund
Institutional Funds. The purchase price may be tendered by personal check. We do
not accept third party checks or cash.


TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

Purchasing or redeeming Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient,
but not without risk. Although we have certain safeguards and procedures to
confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, we are not
responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions
we reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution
transact with us over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any
loss.


REDEEMING SHARES

You may redeem your shares on any Business Day by contacting us directly by mail
or telephone. The redemption price of each share will be the NAV next determined
after a Fund receives your request.

In the case of institutions and Eligible Individuals, payments in redemption
will be made by wire transfer to the account designated in your New Account
Application or another account that has properly been designated with a
signature guarantee.


SIGNATURE GUARANTEES

A signature guarantee is a widely accepted way to protect shareholders by
verifying signatures. The signature(s) must be guaranteed by an acceptable
financial institution such as a national or state bank, a trust company, a
federal savings and loan association, a credit union or a broker-dealer that is
a member of a
<PAGE>   43
national securities exchange. Notarization is not acceptable. Financial
institutions which participate in one of the medallion signature programs must
use the specific "Medallion Guaranteed" stamp.


METHODS FOR REDEEMING SHARES


*Via Internet - Shareholders can request a transaction by logging on to
WWW.COMMONFUND.ORG



*By Mail -- If you wish to redeem shares of a Fund by mail, you should send us a
letter with your name, Fund and account number and the amount of your request.
All letters must be signed by the owner(s) of the account. In certain
circumstances, additional documentation may be required. You may obtain
additional details by phoning 1-888-404-1454.


*By Phone -- When filling out your New Account Application, you are given the
opportunity to establish telephone redemption privileges.

*Systematic Withdrawal Plan -- Under the plan you may arrange monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals.

REDEMPTIONS IN KIND -- The Funds generally pay redemption proceeds in cash.
However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for
the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders), a Fund might pay all or
part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal
to the redemption price (redemption in kind). In the highly unlikely event that
your shares are redeemed in kind, you will have to pay brokerage costs to sell
the securities distributed to you.

SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO REDEEM SHARES - A Fund may suspend your right to
redeem your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency
or for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit.

INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES -- If your account balance drops below the
required minimum of $1,000,000 for institutions or $1,000 for Eligible
Individuals as a result of shareholder redemptions, the Fund may redeem your
shares. You will always be given at least 60 days' written notice to give you
time to add to your account and avoid redemption of your shares.


RECEIVING YOUR MONEY

Normally, the Fund will send your sale proceeds the next Business Day after it
receives your request. In unusual circumstances, it may take up to seven days.
Proceeds will be wired to your properly designated account at a financial
institution.


DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

Commonfund Securities, Inc. is the distributor of the Funds and receives no
compensation from the Funds for that service.


DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES


DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Funds declare and pay dividends quarterly. The Funds make distributions of
capital gains, if any, at least annually.

Shareholders will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional
shares. Dividends generally are not paid in cash.


TAXES

The Funds are managed without regard to tax consequences to shareholders.
Shareholders seeking to finance tax obligations may need to redeem shares.


Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and
realized capital gains, if any. The dividends and distributions you receive may
be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax
situation. This is true whether or not such dividends or distributions are
received in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of a Fund. Capital gains
distributions may be taxable at different rates depending on the length of time
a Fund holds its portfolio securities. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES IS A
TAXABLE EVENT.


This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE SAI.
<PAGE>   44
COMMONFUND
INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS


INVESTMENT MANAGER

Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc.


DISTRIBUTOR

Commonfund Securities, Inc.


LEGAL COUNSEL
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103


More information about Commonfund Institutional Funds is available without
charge through the following:


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")



The SAI dated December ______, 2000, includes more detailed information about
Commonfund Institutional Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for
legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus.



TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND:



              BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-888-404-1454
              BY MAIL: Write to
              Commonfund Institutional Funds
              15 Old Danbury Road
              P.O. Box 812
              Wilton, CT 06897-0812
              BY INTERNET: HTTP://WWW.COMMONFUND.ORG



FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual or Semi-Annual Reports,
as well as other information about Commonfund Institutional Funds, from the
EDGAR Database on the SEC's website ("HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV"). You may review and
copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090).
You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating
fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference
Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon
payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at the following address:
[email protected].

The Company's Investment Company Act registration number is 811-9555.




<PAGE>   45
                         COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS


                         CIF INFLATION-INDEXED BOND FUND
                             CIF SHORT DURATION FUND
                           CIF LOW DURATION BOND FUND
                             CIF CORE PLUS BOND FUND
                              CIF CORE EQUITY FUND
                            CIF SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
                            CIF SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
                          CIF INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND


                               INVESTMENT MANAGER
                    COMMONFUND ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.

                             INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS


                      ADVANCED INVESTMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                             ARTISAN PARTNERS, L.P.
                         CAPITAL GUARDIAN TRUST COMPANY
                        CAPITAL WORKS INVESTMENT PARTNERS
                     CONSTITUTION RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT, LLC
                             GLOBEFLEX CAPITAL, L.P.
                     GRANTHAM, MAYO, VAN OTTERLOO & CO. LLC
                              HIGH ROCK CAPITAL LLC
                          IRIDIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
                            JOHN A. LEVIN & CO. INC.
                         MARSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
                        MARTINGALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
                       METROPOLITAN WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT
                             NORTHPOINTE CAPITAL LLC
                      PACIFIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY
                            SEIX INVESTMENT ADVISORS
                    SHAPIRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.
                         SKYLINE ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
                       STATE STREET GLOBAL ADVISORS, INC.
                     TT INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
                          VEREDUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
                       WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLP
                        WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY


                                   DISTRIBUTOR
                           COMMONFUND SECURITIES, INC.


This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus and relates
only to the CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond, CIF Short Duration, CIF Low Duration
Bond, CIF Core Plus Bond, CIF Core Equity Fund, CIF Small Cap Growth, CIF Small
Cap Value and CIF International Equity Funds (each a "Fund" and collectively the
"Funds"). The SAI is intended to provide additional information regarding the
activities and operations of the Commonfund Institutional Funds (the "Company")
and should be read in conjunction with the Funds' prospectuses dated ________,
2000. The prospectuses may be obtained without charge by calling 1-888-TCF-FUND.



_____________, 2000

<PAGE>   46

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
THE COMPANY..................................................................      3

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES...........................................      3

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS........................     10

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.......................................................     28

THE INVESTMENT MANAGER.......................................................     30

FUND ADMINISTRATION..........................................................     34

CUSTODIAN....................................................................     34

EXPERTS......................................................................     34

LEGAL COUNSEL................................................................     34

DISTRIBUTION.................................................................     35

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY........................................     35

COMPUTATION OF YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN........................................     39

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES............................................     39

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE.............................................     40

TAXES........................................................................     40

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS.......................................................     43

CODE OF ETHICS...............................................................     43

VOTING.......................................................................     44

5% SHAREHOLDERS..............................................................     44

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................................     46

APPENDIX.....................................................................    A-1
</TABLE>


                                                                               2
<PAGE>   47
THE COMPANY


This SAI is not a prospectus and relates only to the CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond
Fund, CIF Short Duration Fund, CIF Low Duration Bond Fund, CIF Core Plus Bond
Fund, CIF Core Equity Fund, CIF Small Cap Growth Fund, CIF Small Cap Value Fund,
and CIF International Equity Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds").
Each Fund is a separate series of Commonfund Institutional Funds (the
"Company"), an open-end management investment company established as a Delaware
business trust under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 7, 1999.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the Company to offer separate
series of units of beneficial interest ("shares"), and separate classes of
shares within the Funds. Each Fund share represents an equal proportionate
interest in its respective Fund.


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Each Fund may invest in various instruments or utilize varying strategies to
achieve its investment objective. The permissible instruments or strategies for
each Fund are described below. There can be no assurance that the Funds will
achieve their investment objective.



CIF INFLATION-INDEXED BOND FUND - The Fund seeks to maximize real return to the
extent consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity.


The CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury
Securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted to the U.S. Consumer
Price Index. Up to 25% of the Fund may be invested in investment grade
securities that are not indexed to inflation. Investment grade securities are
those rated in one of the four highest categories at the time of investment, or
determined by a Sub-Adviser to be of equivalent quality. The Fund will normally
maintain effective duration within(+/-) 1.5 years of the Lehman Brothers U.S.
TIPS Index.


Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund:


                                                                               3
<PAGE>   48

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                  <C>
Asset-Backed Securities                Bankers' Acceptances and Bank        Borrowing
                                       Obligations

Certificates of Deposit                Corporate Bonds                      Derivatives

Fixed Income Securities                Floaters and Inverse Floaters        Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
                                                                            Contracts

High Yield Securities                  Investment Company Securities        Loan Participation and Assignments

Money Market Instruments               Mortgage-Related Securities          Municipals

Options                                Portfolio Turnover Repurchase        Rights
                                       Agreements

Rule 144A Securities                   Securities Lending                   Temporary Investments

U.S. Government Securities             Variable and Floating Rate           When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
                                       Instruments                          Securities

Yankee Dollars                         Zero Coupons
</TABLE>



CIF SHORT DURATION FUND -- The Fund seeks to provide current interest income
with some price appreciation, each as consistent with liquidity and safety of
principal.



The CIF Short Duration Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and
instrumentalities, obligations of U.S. and foreign commercial banks, corporate
debt securities, including commercial paper, and fully-collateralized repurchase
agreements with highly rated counterparties. The fixed income securities
acquired by the Fund may include mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
The Fund's investment strategies are designed to produce a total rate of return
that exceeds the total return on 90 day U.S. Treasury bills. The net asset value
of the Fund is expected to fluctuate modestly in response to changes in interest
rates. The Fund seeks to minimize fluctuation in net asset value by maintaining
high credit quality standards and employing a relatively short effective
duration. This effective duration generally will not exceed one year, and the
maximum remaining maturity of any individual security will be five and one-half
years, except for certain mortgage-related and asset-backed securities.



The Fund will purchase the following types of securities if, at the time of
purchase, such securities either have been rated in one of the three highest
rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization
("NRSRO"), except as noted below, or are determined by Commonfund Asset
Management Company Inc. (the "Investment Manager") or a Sub-Adviser to be of
comparable quality, and are otherwise eligible for investment: (i) obligations
issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) corporate bonds and debentures of U.S. or
foreign issuers and denominated in U.S. dollars; (iii) private mortgage-backed
securities; (iv) asset-backed securities; (v) commercial paper rated in one of
the two highest rating categories; (vi) obligations of U.S. and foreign
commercial banks rated in one of the two highest rating sub-categories; and
(vii) fully collateralized repurchase agreements. If a security is downgraded to
below the minimum quality level specified above, the Investment Manager and the
Sub-Adviser(s) involved will review the situation and take appropriate action.



                                                                               4

<PAGE>   49

Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund.



<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>                                <C>
Asset-Backed Securities                  Bankers' Acceptances and Bank      Borrowing
                                         Obligations

Certificates of Deposit Corporate Bonds  Derivatives                        Fixed Income Securities

Futures Contracts and Options on         Illiquid Securities Money
                                         Market Instruments                 Mortgage-Related Securities
Futures Contracts
Options                                  Portfolio Turnover                 Repurchase Agreements

Rights                                   Rule 144A Securities               Securities Lending

Temporary Investments                    U.S. Government Securities         Variable and Floating Rate Instruments

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery         Yankee Dollars                     Zero Coupons
Securities
</TABLE>



CIF LOW DURATION BOND FUND -- The Fund seeks to preserve capital and provide
higher total return than is generally obtainable from money market instruments.


The CIF Low Duration Bond Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of
dollar denominated investment grade bonds, including obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well
as corporate, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. Investment grade
securities are those rated in one of the four highest categories at the time of
investment, or determined by a Sub-Adviser to be of equivalent quality. The Fund
also may invest up to 20% of its assets in non-dollar denominated and securities
rated below investment grade at the time of purchase. The Fund will maintain an
average portfolio duration of between one and three years.


Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund:



                                                                               5

<PAGE>   50

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                                    <C>
Asset-Backed Securities          Bankers' Acceptances and Bank          Borrowing
                                 Obligations

Certificates of Deposit          Corporate Bonds                        Derivatives

Eurodollar Obligations           Foreign Securities                     Fixed Income Securities

Floaters and Inverse Floaters    Futures Contracts and Options on       High Yield Securities
                                 Futures Contracts

Investment Company Securities    Investment Grade Securities            Money Market Instruments
                                 Loan Participation and Assignments

Mortgage-Related Securities      Municipals                             Options

Portfolio Turnover Repurchase    Rights                                 Rule 144A Securities
Agreements

Securities Lending               Temporary Investments                  U.S. Government Securities

Variable and Floating Rate       When-Issued and Delayed Delivery       Yankee Dollars
Instruments                      Securities
</TABLE>




CIF CORE PLUS BOND FUND -- The Fund seeks to provide high current income and
price appreciation.


The CIF Core Plus Bond Fund primarily invests in investment grade bonds and
other fixed income securities in an attempt to outperform the broad U.S. bond
market. Investment grade securities are those rated in one of the four highest
categories at the time of investment, or determined by a Sub-Adviser to be of
equivalent quality. The Fund also may invest up to 10% of its assets in
securities rated below investment grade, but in one of the six highest rating
categories, and up to 20% of its assets in non-dollar denominated issuers. The
Sub-Advisers may invest in certain derivatives and may use certain techniques,
such as currency hedging in order to outperform the broad market. The Fund will
maintain an average portfolio duration of between three and six years.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by maintaining a core
portfolio of securities that is aligned with the composition and duration of the
Fund's benchmark index, which tracks the overall U.S. bond market. The
Sub-Advisers then seek to add value by investing a portion of the Fund's assets
in fixed income securities that are not represented in the benchmark and using
investment techniques designed to overweight or underweight the Fund's portfolio
relative to benchmark characteristics.


Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund:



                                                                               6

<PAGE>   51

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                                         <C>
Asset-Backed Securities          Bankers' Acceptances and Bank Obligations   Borrowing

Certificates of Deposit          Corporate Bonds                             Derivatives

Eurodollar Obligations           Foreign Securities                          Fixed Income Securities

Floaters and Inverse Floaters    Futures Contracts and Options on Futures    High Yield Securities
                                 Contracts

Investment Company Securities    Investment Grade Securities                 Loan Participation and Assignments

Money Market Instruments         Mortgage-Related Securities                 Municipals

Options                          Portfolio Turnover Repurchase Agreements    Rights

Rule 144A Securities             Securities Lending                          Temporary Investments

U.S. Government Securities       Variable and Floating Rate Instruments      When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
                                                                             Securities

Yankee Dollars                   Zero Coupons, Pay-In-Kind Securities or
                                 Deferred Payment Securities
</TABLE>


CIF CORE EQUITY FUND - The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.


The CIF Core Equity Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of common
stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of large and medium
capitalization U.S. companies. Generally, these issuers will have a market
capitalization in the range of the companies in the S&P 500 Composite Index. The
Fund is designed to add value primarily through stock selection, rather than
sector or style variance, with volatility similar to that of its benchmark
index.



The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective through the construction of
"core" and "satellite" portfolios that emphasize stock selection rather than
sector or style variance. The "core" portfolio, which ordinarily will comprise
approximately 40% of the Fund, utilizes a single Sub-Adviser to track the S&P
500 Composite Index in terms of sector, industry and capitalization, while
adding value through stock selection. The remainder of the Fund is comprised of
multiple "satellite" portfolios whose Sub-Advisers apply a specific investment
strategy, such as growth or value, and may deviate from the benchmark in terms
of volatility and sector selection.



Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund:



                                                                               7

<PAGE>   52

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                                          <C>
                                 Common Stocks                                Convertible Securities

Corporate Bonds                  Depositary Receipts                          Derivatives

Foreign Securities               Fixed Income Securities                      Futures Contracts and Options on
                                                                              Futures Contracts

Investment Grade Securities      Money Market Instruments                     Options

Portfolio Turnover Preferred     Rights                                       Securities Lending
Stocks

U.S. Government Securities       Variable and Floating Rate Instruments
</TABLE>



CIF SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND - The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital
appreciation.

The CIF Small Cap Growth Fund invests primarily in growth oriented equity
securities of small U.S. companies. Generally, these issuers will have a market
capitalization in the range of the companies in the Russell 2000 Growth Index.
The Fund is designed to add value primarily through stock selection, rather than
sector or style variance, with volatility similar to that of its benchmark
index.

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by emphasizing investment in companies
that the Sub-Advisers believe have strong earnings momentum, dominant market
share in growing industries and positive changes in analysts' expectations or
better than anticipated earnings reports. The Fund is constructed around three
principal strategies: aggressive, core and defensive. The aggressive strategy
generally is more volatile and provides for greater sector variances as compared
to the Russell 2000 Growth Index. The defensive strategy is designed to have
lower volatility and add value primarily during down markets. The core strategy
generally will have similar risk and portfolio characteristics as compared to
the Russell 2000 Growth Index.


Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund:



                                                                               8

<PAGE>   53

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                          <C>
                                   Common Stocks                Convertible Securities

Corporate Bonds                    Depositary Receipts          Derivatives

                                   Fixed Income Securities      Futures Contracts and Options on
                                   Foreign Securities           Futures Contracts

Investment Grade Securities        Money Market Instruments     Options

Portfolio Turnover Preferred       Rights                       Securities Lending
Stocks

U.S. Government Securities         Variable and Floating Rate
                                   Instruments
</TABLE>



CIF SMALL CAP VALUE FUND - The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital
appreciation.

The CIF Small Cap Value Fund invests primarily in value oriented securities of
small U.S. companies. Generally, these issuers will have a market capitalization
in the range of companies in the Russell 2000 Value Index. The Fund is designed
to add value primarily through stock selection, rather than sector or style
variance, with volatility similar to that of its benchmark index.

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by emphasizing investments in companies
that exhibit traditional value characteristics, such as below average
price-to-earnings, price-to-book value and price-to-cashflow ratios. The Fund is
constructed using multiple strategies designed to select different types of
companies in the benchmark index.


Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund:



<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                          <C>
Agencies                           Common Stocks                Convertible Securities

Corporate Bonds                    Depositary Receipts          Derivatives

Foreign Securities                 Fixed Income Securities      Futures Contracts and Options on
                                                                Futures Contracts

Investment Grade Securities        Money Market Instruments     Options

Preferred Stocks                   Rights                       Securities Lending

U.S. Government Securities         Variable and Floating Rate
                                   Instruments
</TABLE>



                                                                               9

<PAGE>   54
CIF INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND - The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital
appreciation.


The CIF International Equity Fund invests primarily in common stocks and other
equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund generally invests in equity
securities of non-U.S. issuers represented in the MSCI EAFE (Europe,
Australasia, Far East) Index, which includes most developed countries in those
regions. The Fund also may invest up to 10% of its assets in equity securities
of issuers located in emerging markets. The Fund may also enter into forward and
futures contracts to hedge currency exposure.


The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective through the construction of
"core" and "satellite" portfolios. The "core" portfolio, which ordinarily will
comprise approximately 50% of the Fund, utilizes a market-oriented Sub-Adviser
with a strong bottom-up stock selection and sector allocation style that favors
both value and growth stocks. Up to 50% of the Fund will be comprised of
"satellite" portfolios whose Sub-Advisers apply more targeted investment
strategies, such as growth or value, and which may deviate more from the
benchmark in terms of volatility and stock selection.


Please consult the text under the following captions in the "Description of
Permitted Investments and Risk Factors" section to review features of various
instruments in which the Fund may invest and of various investment strategies
that may be used by the Fund:



<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                                      <C>
                                   Common Stocks                            Convertible Securities

Corporate Bonds                    Depositary Receipts                      Derivatives

Eurodollar Obligations                                                      Fixed Income Securities

Floaters                           Futures Contracts and Options on         Illiquid Securities
Foreign Securities                 Futures Contracts

Investment Company Securities      Investment Grade Securities              Limited Partnerships

Loan Participation and             Money Market Instruments                 Options
Assignments

Portfolio Turnover                 Repurchase Agreements                    Rights
Preferred Stocks

Rule 144A Securities               Variable and Floating Rate Instruments   When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
                                                                            Securities

Warrants                           Yankee Dollars                           Zero Coupons, Pay-In-Kind Securities or
                                                                            Deferred Payment Securities
</TABLE>



                                                                              10

<PAGE>   55
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES

Asset-backed securities are secured by non-mortgage assets such as company
receivables, truck and auto loans, leases and credit card receivables. Such
securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent
undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pools of assets.
Asset-backed securities also may be issued as debt instruments, which are also
known as collateralized obligations and are generally issued as the debt of a
special purpose entity, such as a trust, organized solely for the purpose of
owning such assets and issuing such debt.


Asset-backed securities are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities; however, the payment of principal and interest on
such obligations may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain
period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution (such as a bank
or insurance company) unaffiliated with the issuers of such securities. The
purchase of asset-backed securities presents risk considerations specific to the
financing of the instruments underlying such securities. For example, there is a
risk that another party could acquire an interest in the underlying assets
superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. There also is
the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some
cases, be available to support payments on those securities. Asset-backed
securities also entail prepayment risk, which may vary depending on the type of
asset, but is generally less than the prepayment risk associated with
mortgage-backed securities. Credit card receivables are unsecured obligations of
card holders.


BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES AND BANK OBLIGATIONS

Bankers' acceptances or notes are fixed income instruments evidencing a bank's
obligation to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments represent
the obligation of the bank and of the drawer to pay the full amount of the
instrument upon maturity. The Funds will only purchase obligations of banks that
are rated in the top two categories by a major rating agency.

BORROWING

Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of a Fund's shares and
in the return on that Fund's portfolio. Although the principal of any borrowing
will be fixed, a Fund's assets may change in value during the time the borrowing
is outstanding. A Fund may then be required to segregate liquid assets in an
amount sufficient to meet its obligations in connection with such borrowings. A
Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at a time when it would
be disadvantageous to do so in order to make payments with respect to any
borrowing.

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT

Certificates of deposit or time deposits are obligations issued against funds
deposited in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified
interest rate.


                                                                              11

<PAGE>   56
COMMON STOCKS

Common Stocks represent an ownership interest in a corporation, entitling the
stockholder to voting rights and receipt of dividends paid based on
proportionate ownership.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

Convertible securities are securities that may be exchanged under certain
circumstances for a fixed number of shares of common stock or other equity
securities. Convertible securities generally represent a feature of some other
type of security, such as a fixed income security or preferred stock, so that,
for example, a convertible fixed income security would be a fixed income
security that is convertible into common stock. Convertible securities may be
viewed as an investment in the current security or the security into which the
convertible securities may be exchanged and, therefore, are included in both the
definition of equity security and fixed income security.

CORPORATE BONDS

Corporates are fixed income securities issued by private businesses. Holders, as
creditors, have a prior legal claim over holders of equity securities of the
issuer as to both income and assets for the principal and interest due the
holder.

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS


Depositary Receipts represent an ownership interest in securities of foreign
companies (an "underlying issuer") that are deposited with a depositary.
Depositary Receipts are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the
underlying securities. Depositary Receipts include American Depositary Receipts
("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other types of Depositary
Receipts (which, together with ADRs and GDRs, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as "Depositary Receipts"). ADRs are dollar-denominated Depositary
Receipts typically issued by a U.S. financial institution which evidence an
ownership interest in a security or pool of securities issued by a foreign
issuer. ADRs are listed and traded in the United States. GDRs and other types of
Depositary Receipts are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies,
although they also may be issued by U.S. financial institutions, and evidence
ownership interests in a security or pool of securities issued by either a
foreign or a U.S. corporation. Generally, Depositary Receipts in registered form
are designed for use in the U.S. securities market and Depositary Receipts in
bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United
States.



Depositary Receipts may be "sponsored" or "unsponsored." Sponsored Depositary
Receipts are established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer,
whereas unsponsored Depositary Receipts may be established by a depositary
without participation by the underlying issuer. Holders of unsponsored
Depositary Receipts generally bear all the costs associated with establishing
unsponsored Depositary Receipts. In addition, the issuers of the securities
underlying unsponsored Depository Receipts are not obligated to disclose
material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less
information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation
between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. For
purposes of a Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments in Depositary
Receipts will be deemed to be an investment in the underlying securities, except
that ADRs may be deemed to be issued by a U.S. issuer.



                                                                              12

<PAGE>   57
DERIVATIVES


Derivatives are instruments that derive their value from other securities,
baskets of securities, financial instruments or indices (for each derivative
instrument, this is sometimes referred to as the "underlying"). One category of
derivatives ("Derivative Instruments") are instruments such as futures
contracts, options, forward contracts, and swaps. Derivative Instruments are
used to establish market positions without transacting in the securities by
which their value is measured. Derivative Instruments often are used to adjust
the risk characteristics of a portfolio of securities investments. A second
category of derivatives ("Derivative Securities") are securities that carry
rights to other securities, such as, for example, a security convertible into
some other security. The following are Derivative Instruments: financial
futures, options (e.g., puts and calls) on financial futures, options on
securities, and swap agreements. The following are Derivative Securities:
convertible securities, certain mortgage-backed securities (e.g., CMOs),
when-issued securities, floating and variable rate securities and "stripped"
U.S. Treasury securities (e.g., STRIPs). See elsewhere in the "Description of
Permitted Investments" for discussions of these various derivatives.


EURODOLLAR OBLIGATIONS


Eurodollar bank obligations are dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and
time deposits issued outside the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of
U.S. banks and by foreign banks. Eurodollar obligations are subject to the same
risks as domestic issues but Eurodollar obligations are also subject to certain
risks arising because they are issued in a foreign sovereign country. One such
risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital, in the
form of dollars, from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse
political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government
regulations of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign
withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.


FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

The market values of fixed income investments change in response to interest
rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the
values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Conversely, during
periods of rising interest rates, the values of such securities generally
decline. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce
higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to
greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Changes by
recognized agencies in the rating of any fixed income security and in the
ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal also affect the
value of these investments. Changes in the value of these securities will not
necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities, but will affect a
Fund's net asset value. Duration is a measure of a security"s expected price
volatility or risk associated with changes in the interest rate. Duration is not
static, and responds inversely to changes in interest rates, so that duration
shortens when rates rise and lengthens when rates fall. These changes may be
magnified in a low yield environment. For example, a 30 year, 10% coupon
non-callable bond has a 7.2 year duration in a 15% yield environment, a 9.9 year
duration in a 10% yield environment, and a 14 year duration in a 5% yield
environment. Effective duration is a measure of risk and sensitivity to interest
rate changes of bonds with implied call options, such as callable or putable
bonds and mortgage-backed securities. The calculation of the effective duration
of a security takes into consideration the possibility of early redemption or
extension of these options.


                                                                              13

<PAGE>   58
FLOATERS


Floaters are fixed income securities with a rate of interest that varies with
changes in specified market rates or indices, such as the prime rate, or at
specified intervals. Certain Floaters may carry a demand feature that permits
the holder to tender them back to the issuer of the underlying instrument, or to
a third party, at par value prior to maturity. When the demand feature of
certain Floaters represents an obligation of a foreign entity, the demand
feature will be subject to certain risks discussed under "Foreign Securities."


FOREIGN SECURITIES


Investing in foreign securities involves certain special considerations which
are not typically associated with investing in the equity securities or fixed
income securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign issuers are not generally subject to
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those
existing in the United States. As a result, there may be less information
available about foreign issuers than about domestic issuers. Securities of some
foreign issuers are often less liquid and more volatile than securities of
comparable domestic issuers. There is generally less government supervision and
regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed issuers than in the United
States. Foreign securities trading markets often offer less liquidity and
greater price volatility than United States markets and at times reflect the
consequences of government intervention. In addition, with respect to certain
foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, political and social instability, or diplomatic developments which
could affect U.S. investments in those countries. The costs of investing in
foreign countries frequently is higher than the costs of investing in the United
States. Although Sub-Advisers can be expected to seek favorable execution costs
in portfolio transactions, fixed commissions on many foreign stock exchanges are
generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges.


The foregoing types of risk are often accentuated in "emerging" or less
developed countries.

Investments in securities of foreign issuers generally are denominated in
foreign currencies. Accordingly, the value of a Fund's assets, as measured in
U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency
exchange rates and in exchange control regulations. A Fund may incur costs in
connection with conversions between various currencies. Certain foreign
governments levy withholding or other taxes on dividend and interest income.
Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the
non-recovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income
received from investments in such countries. The Funds may be able to claim a
credit for U.S. tax purposes with respect to any such foreign taxes.

The Investment Manager considers an issuer to be from a particular country if
(i) its principal securities trading market is in that country; (ii) alone or on
a consolidated basis it derives 50% or more of its annual revenue from either
goods produced, sales made or services performed in that country; or (iii) it is
organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in that country. By
applying these tests, it is possible that a particular company could be deemed
to be from more than one country.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS: The U.S. dollar value of the assets of the Funds,
to the extent they invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies, may
be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange
rates and exchange control regulations, and the Funds may incur costs in
connection with conversions between various currencies. The Funds may conduct
their


                                                                              14

<PAGE>   59
foreign currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot
rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market. The Funds also may
manage their foreign currency transactions by entering into foreign currency
forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies or by using other
instruments and techniques described under "Derivatives" above.

Under normal circumstances, consideration of the prospect for changes in the
values of currency will be incorporated into the long-term investment decisions
made with regard to overall diversification strategies. However, the Investment
Manager believes that it is important to have the flexibility to use such
derivative products when Sub-Advisers determine that it is in the best interests
of a Fund. It may not be practicable to hedge foreign currency risk in all
markets, particularly emerging markets.

Foreign currency warrants: Foreign currency warrants entitle the holder to
receive from the issuer an amount of cash (generally, for warrants issued in the
U.S., in U.S. dollars) which is calculated pursuant to a predetermined formula
and based on the exchange rate between a specified foreign currency and the U.S.
dollar as of the exercise date of the warrant. Foreign currency warrants
generally are exercisable upon their issuance and expire as of a specified date
and time.


Foreign currency warrants have been issued in connection with U.S.
dollar-denominated debt offerings by major corporate issuers in an attempt to
reduce the foreign currency exchange risk which, from the point of view of
prospective purchasers of the securities, is inherent in the international
fixed-income marketplace. Foreign currency warrants may tend to reduce the
foreign exchange risk assumed by purchasers of a security by, for example,
providing for a supplemental payment in the event that the U.S. dollar
depreciates against the value of a major foreign currency such as the Japanese
Yen or the Euro. The formula used to determine the amount payable upon exercise
of a foreign currency warrant may make the warrant worthless unless the
applicable foreign currency exchange rate moves in a particular direction (e.g.,
unless the U.S. dollar appreciates or depreciates against the particular foreign
currency to which the warrant is linked or indexed). Foreign currency warrants
are severable from the debt obligations with which they may be offered, and may
be listed on exchanges.


Foreign currency warrants may be exercisable only in certain minimum amounts,
and an investor wishing to exercise warrants who possesses less than the minimum
number required for exercise may be required either to sell the warrants or to
purchase additional warrants, thereby incurring additional transaction costs. In
the case of any exercise of warrants, there may be a delay between the time a
holder of warrants gives instructions to exercise and the time the exchange rate
relating to exercise is determined, during which time the exchange rate could
change significantly, thereby affecting both the market and cash settlement
values of the warrants being exercised. The expiration date of the warrants may
be accelerated if the warrants should be delisted from an exchange or if their
trading should be suspended permanently, which would result in the loss of any
remaining "time value" of the warrants (i.e., the difference between the current
market value and the exercise value of the warrants), and, in the case where the
warrants were "out-of-the-money," in a total loss of the purchase price of the
warrants.

Foreign currency warrants are generally unsecured obligations of their issuers
and are not standardized foreign currency options issued by the Options Clearing
Corporation ("OCC"). Unlike foreign currency options issued by the OCC, the
terms of foreign exchange warrants generally will not be amended in the event of
governmental or regulatory actions affecting exchange rates or in the event of
the imposition of other regulatory controls affecting the international currency
markets. The initial public offering price of foreign currency warrants is
generally considerably in excess of the


                                                                              15

<PAGE>   60
price that a commercial user of foreign currencies might pay in the interbank
market for a comparable option involving significantly larger amounts of foreign
currencies. Foreign currency warrants are subject to complex political or
economic factors.

Principal exchange rate linked securities. Principal exchange rate linked
securities are debt obligations the principal on which is payable at maturity in
an amount that may vary based on the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a
particular foreign currency at or about that time. The return on "standard"
principal exchange rate linked securities is enhanced if the foreign currency to
which the security is linked appreciates against the U.S. dollar, and is
adversely affected by increases in the foreign exchange value of the U.S.
dollar; "reverse" principal exchange rate linked securities are like the
"standard" securities, except that their return is enhanced by increases in the
value of the U.S. dollar and adversely impacted by increases in the value of
foreign currency. Interest payments on the securities are generally made in U.S.
dollars at rates that reflect the degree of foreign currency risk assumed or
given up by the purchaser of the notes (i.e., at relatively higher interest
rates if the purchaser has assumed some foreign currency risk).


BRADY BONDS: Brady Bonds are fixed income securities that are created through
the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new
obligations in connection with debt restructuring under a plan introduced by
Nicholas F. Brady when he was the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. They may be
collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies (although
most are U.S. dollar-denominated) and they are actively traded in the
over-the-counter secondary market. The Funds will invest in Brady Bonds only if
they are consistent with the Fund's quality specifications. However, Brady Bonds
should be viewed as speculative in light of the history of defaults with respect
to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing
Brady Bonds.



INVESTMENT FUNDS OR INTERMEDIARIES: Some emerging market countries have laws and
regulations that currently preclude direct investment or make it undesirable to
invest directly in the securities of their companies. However, indirect
investment in the securities of companies listed and traded on the stock
exchanges in these countries is permitted by certain emerging market countries
through Investment Funds or other intermediary companies that have been
specifically authorized. The Funds may invest in these Investment Funds subject
to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"), as applicable, and other applicable laws. An investment in an
intermediary is not an investment in the securities held by the intermediary and
is subject to the risks of the business of the intermediary.


FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS

Futures contracts provide for the future sale or purchase by a party of a
specified amount of a specific underlying at a specified future time and at a
specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right,
in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a
specified exercise price during the term of the option. A Fund may use futures
contracts and related options for bona fide hedging purposes, to offset changes
in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of, to
minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies, or to gain exposure to a particular
market or instrument. If a Fund does use futures contracts, it will seek to
minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only
entering into futures contracts which are traded on recognized futures
exchanges.


                                                                              16

<PAGE>   61
No price is paid upon entering into futures contracts. Instead, a Fund is
required to deposit an amount of cash or U.S. Treasury securities known as
"initial margin." Subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and from
the broker, would be made on a daily basis as the value of the futures position
varies (a process known as "marking to market"). The margin is in the nature of
a performance bond or good-faith deposit on a futures contract.

Futures and options on futures can be volatile instruments and involve certain
risks that could negatively impact the Fund's return. These risks include the
following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to
predict movements in the prices of the individual underlying securities,
fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an
imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the
underlying securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures and options on
futures; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract
or option; (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an
exchange; and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures
contracts and options on futures.

A Fund may enter into futures contracts and options on futures contracts traded
on an exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"),
as long as, to the extent that such transactions are not for "bona fide" hedging
purposes or risk management, the aggregate initial margin and premiums on such
positions (excluding the amount by which such options are in the money) do not
exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts
and related options to manage its exposure to changing interest rates and
securities prices. Some strategies reduce the Fund's exposure to price
fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.


HIGH YIELD SECURITIES


High Yield Securities are generally considered to include fixed income
securities rated below the four highest rating categories at the time of
purchase (e.g., Ba through C by Moody's or BB through D by S&P) and unrated
securities considered by the Investment Manager to be of equivalent quality.
High Yield Securities are not investment grade.

While High Yield Securities offer higher yields, they carry a high degree of
credit risk and are considered speculative by the major credit rating agencies.
High Yield Securities are often issued by smaller, less credit worthy issuers,
or by highly leveraged (indebted) issuers that are generally less able than more
established or less leveraged issuers to make scheduled payments of interest and
principal. In comparison to Investment Grade Securities, the price movement of
these securities is influenced less by changes in interest rates and more by the
financial and business position of the issuer. The values of High Yield
Securities are more volatile and may react with greater sensitivity to market
changes.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES

Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven
business days at approximately the price at which they are being carried on its
Fund's books. Illiquid securities include demand instruments with demand notice
periods exceeding seven days, securities for which there is no active secondary
market, and repurchase agreements with maturities over seven days in length.
Each Fund will limit its investments in illiquid securities to 15% of its net
assets.


                                                                              17

<PAGE>   62
INVERSE FLOATERS

Inverse floating rate obligations ("Inverse Floaters") are fixed income
securities that have coupon rates that vary inversely at a multiple of a
designated floating rate, such as LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate). Any
rise in the reference rate of an Inverse Floater (as a consequence of an
increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate while any drop in
the reference rate of an Inverse Floater causes an increase in the coupon rate.
Inverse Floaters may exhibit substantially greater price volatility than fixed
rate obligations having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and
maturity, and Inverse Floater CMOs exhibit greater price volatility than the
majority of other mortgage-related securities.

INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES


Investment Company Securities are securities of other open-end or closed-end
investment companies. The 1940 Act generally prohibits an investment company
from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of an investment
company and limits such investments to no more than 5% of the Fund's total
assets in any one investment company and no more than 10% in any combination of
investment companies. A Fund may invest in Investment Company Securities of
investment companies managed by the Investment Manager or its affiliates to the
extent permitted under the 1940 Act or as otherwise authorized by the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). To the extent a Fund invests a portion of its
assets in Investment Company Securities, those assets will be subject to the
risks of the purchased investment company's portfolio securities. The Fund also
will bear its proportionate share of the expenses of the purchased investment
company in addition to its own expenses.



INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES


Investment Grade Securities are fixed income securities rated by one or more of
the rating agencies in one of the four highest rating categories at the time of
purchase (e.g., AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or
Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"), or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")) or determined to be of equivalent quality
by the Investment Manager. Securities rated BBB or Baa represent the lowest of
four levels of Investment Grade Securities and are regarded as borderline
between sound obligations and those in which the speculative element begins to
predominate. Ratings assigned to fixed income securities represent only the
opinion of the rating agency assigning the rating and are not dispositive of the
credit risk associated with the purchase of a particular Fixed Income Security.
Moreover, market risk also will affect the prices of even the highest rated
fixed income securities so that their prices may rise or fall even if the
issuer's capacity to repay its obligations remains unchanged.

LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

A limited partnership interest entitles a Fund to participate in the investment
return of the partnership's assets as defined by the agreement among the
partners. As a limited partner, a Fund generally is not permitted to participate
in the management of the partnership. However, unlike a general partner whose
liability is not limited, a limited partner's liability generally is limited to
the amount of its commitment to the partnership.


                                                                              18

<PAGE>   63
LOAN PARTICIPATION AND ASSIGNMENTS

Loan Participations are interests in loans or other direct debt instruments
("Loans") relating to amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other
borrower to another party. Loans may represent amounts owed to lenders or
lending syndicates, to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or other
receivables), or to other parties ("Lenders") and may be fixed rate or floating
rate. Loans also may be arranged through private negotiations between an issuer
of sovereign debt obligations and Lenders.

A Fund's investments in Loans are expected in most instances to be in the form
of a participation in Loans ("Participations") and assignments of all or a
portion of Loans ("Assignments") from third parties. In the case of a
Participation, a Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal,
interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the
Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the
borrower. In the event of an insolvency of the Lender selling a Participation, a
Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and may not benefit from
any set-off between the Lender and the borrower. Certain Participations may be
structured in a manner designed to avoid purchasers of Participations being
subject to the credit risk of the Lender with respect to the Participation. Even
under such a structure, in the event of a Lender's insolvency, the Lender's
servicing of the Participation may be delayed and the assignability of the
Participation may be impaired. A Fund will acquire Participations only if the
Lender interpositioned between a Fund and the borrower is determined by the
Investment Manager to be creditworthy.


When a Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders it will acquire direct rights
against the borrower on the Loan. However, because Assignments are arranged
through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential
assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an
Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the
assigning Lender. Because there is no liquid market for such securities, it is
likely that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of
institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an
adverse impact on the value of such securities and a Fund's ability to dispose
of particular Assignments or Participations when necessary to meet a Fund's
liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a
deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid
secondary market for Assignments and Participations also may make it more
difficult for a Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of
valuing a Fund's securities and calculating its net asset value.


Loan Participations and Assignments involve a risk of loss in case of default or
insolvency of the borrower. In addition, they may offer less legal protection to
a Fund in the event of fraud or misrepresentation and may involve a risk of
insolvency of the Lender. Certain Loan Participations and Assignments may also
include standby financing commitments that obligate the investing Fund to supply
additional cash to the borrower on demand. Participations involving emerging
market country issuers may relate to Loans as to which there has been or
currently exists an event of default or other failure to make payment when due,
and may represent amounts owed to Lenders that are themselves subject to
political and economic risks, including the risk of currency devaluation,
expropriation, or failure. Such Loan Participations and Assignments present
additional risk of default or loss.


                                                                              19

<PAGE>   64
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS

Money Market Instruments are high quality short-term fixed income securities.
Money Market Instruments may include obligations of governments, government
agencies, banks, corporations and special purpose entities and Repurchase
Agreements relating to these obligations. Certain Money Market Instruments may
be denominated in a foreign currency.

MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES

A mortgage-related security is an interest in a pool of mortgage loans. Most
mortgage-related securities are pass-through securities, which means that
investors receive payments consisting of a pro rata share of both principal and
interest (less servicing and other fees), as well as unscheduled prepayments, as
mortgages in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by borrowers.

AGENCY-MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES: The dominant issuers or guarantors of
mortgage-related securities today are the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), Fannie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
("FHLMC"). GNMA creates pass-through securities from pools of U.S. government
guaranteed or insured (such as by the Federal Housing Authority or Veterans
Administration) mortgages originated by mortgage bankers, commercial banks and
savings associations. Fannie Mae and FHLMC issue pass-through securities from
pools of conventional and federally insured and/or guaranteed residential
mortgages obtained from various entities, including savings associations,
savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers.

Fannie Mae Securities: Fannie Mae is a federally chartered and privately owned
corporation established under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter
Act. Fannie Mae provides funds to the mortgage market primarily by purchasing
home mortgage loans from local lenders, thereby providing them with funds for
additional lending. Fannie Mae uses its funds to purchase loans from investors
that may not ordinarily invest in mortgage loans directly, thereby expanding the
total amount of funds available for housing.


Each Fannie Mae pass-through security represents a proportionate interest in one
or more pools of loans, including conventional mortgage loans (that is, mortgage
loans that are not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency). The
pools consist of one or more of the following types of loans: (1) fixed-rate
level payment mortgage loans; (2) fixed-rate growing equity mortgage loans; (3)
fixed-rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (4) variable rate mortgage loans;
(5) other adjustable rate mortgage loans; and (6) fixed-rate mortgage loans
secured by multifamily projects.


Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Securities: The operations of FHLMC
currently consist primarily of the purchase of first lien, conventional,
residential mortgage loans and participation interests in mortgage loans and the
resale of the mortgage loans in the form of mortgage-backed securities.

The mortgage loans underlying FHLMC securities typically consist of fixed-rate
or adjustable rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between 10
to 30 years, substantially all of which are secured by first liens on
one-to-four-family residential properties or multifamily projects. Each mortgage
loan must be whole loans, participation interests in whole loans and undivided
interests in whole loans or participation in another FHLMC security.



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<PAGE>   65
Government National Mortgage Association Securities: GNMA is a wholly-owned
corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government within the Department of
Housing and Urban Development. In order to meet its obligations under a
guarantee, GNMA is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury with no
limitations as to amount.

GNMA pass-through securities may represent a proportionate interest in one or
more pools of the following types of mortgage loans: (1) fixed-rate level
payment mortgage loans; (2) fixed-rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (3)
fixed-rate growing equity mortgage loans; (4) fixed-rate mortgage loans secured
by manufactured (mobile) homes; (5) mortgage loans on multifamily residential
properties under construction; (6) mortgage loans on completed multifamily
projects; (7) fixed-rate mortgage loans as to which escrowed funds are used to
reduce the borrower's monthly payments during the early years of the mortgage
loans ("buydown" mortgage loans); (8) mortgage loans that provide for
adjustments on payments based on periodic changes in interest rates or in other
payment terms of the mortgage loans; and (9) mortgage-backed serial notes.

The principal and interest on GNMA pass-through securities are guaranteed by
GNMA and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae
guarantees full and timely payment of all interest and principal, while FHLMC
guarantees timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, of
its pass-through securities. Fannie Mae and FHLMC securities are not backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States; however, they are generally
considered to present minimal credit risks. The yields provided by these
mortgage-related securities historically have exceeded the yields on other types
of U.S. government securities with comparable maturities in large measure due to
the risks associated with prepayment.


Adjustable rate mortgage securities ("ARMs") are a form of pass-through security
representing interests in pools of mortgage loans, the interest rates of which
are adjusted from time to time. The adjustments usually are determined in
accordance with a predetermined interest rate index and may be subject to
certain limits. The adjustment feature of ARMs tends to make their values less
sensitive to interest rate changes. As the interest rates on the mortgages
underlying ARMs are reset periodically, yields of such portfolio securities will
gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market rates. Unlike fixed-rate
mortgages, which generally decline in value during periods of rising interest
rates, ARMs allow the Funds to participate in increases in interest rates
through periodic adjustments in the coupons of the underlying mortgages,
resulting in both higher current yields and low price fluctuations. Furthermore,
if prepayments of principal are made on the underlying mortgages during periods
of rising interest rates, the Funds may be able to reinvest such amounts in
securities with a higher current rate of return. During periods of declining
interest rates, of course, the coupon rates may readjust downward, resulting in
lower yields to the Funds. Further, because of this feature, the values of ARMs
are unlikely to rise during periods of declining interest rates to the same
extent as fixed rate instruments.


Collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") are mortgage-related securities
that separate the cash flows of mortgage pools into different components called
classes or "tranches." Each class of a CMO is issued at a specific fixed or
floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date.
Principal prepayments on the collateral pool may cause the various classes of a
CMO to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final
distribution dates. The principal of, and interest on, the collateral pool may
be allocated among the several classes of a CMO in a number of different ways.
Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the
various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to some of the
individual tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a
general rule, the more predictable the cash


                                                                              21

<PAGE>   66
flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that
tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market yields on
mortgage-related securities. Certain classes of CMOs may have priority over
others with respect to the receipt of prepayments on the mortgages.

The Funds considers GNMA-, Fannie Mae-, and FHLMC-issued pass-through
certificates, CMOs, and other mortgage-related securities to be U.S. Government
securities for purposes of each Fund's investment policies.

PRIVATELY ISSUED MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES: Mortgage-related securities
offered by private issuers include pass-through securities for pools of
conventional residential mortgage loans; mortgage pay-through obligations and
mortgage-backed bonds, which are considered to be obligations of the institution
issuing the bonds and are collateralized by mortgage loans; and bonds and CMOs
which are collateralized by mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA, Fannie
Mae, FHLMC or by pools of conventional mortgages. The Funds limit their
investments in privately issued mortgage-related securities to "mortgage related
securities" within the meaning of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act
of 1984, as amended.

The Fund may invest in, among other things, "parallel pay" CMOs, Planned
Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bonds") and REMICs. A REMIC is a CMO that
qualifies for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code") and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in
real property. Investors may purchase beneficial interests in REMICS, which are
known as "regular" interests, or "residual" interests. The Funds will not invest
in residual REMICs. Guaranteed REMIC pass-through certificates (REMIC
Certificates) issued by Fannie Mae, FHLMC or GNMA represent beneficial ownership
interests in a REMIC trust consisting principally of mortgage loans or Fannie
Mae, FHLMC or GNMA-guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates. For FHLMC
REMIC Certificates, FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest, and also
guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the
underlying mortgage participation certificates. Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates
are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by
Fannie Mae. GNMA REMIC certificates are supported by the full faith and credit
of the U.S. Treasury.


Parallel pay CMOs, as well as REMICs, are structured to provide payments of
principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous
payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final
distribution date of each class, which like the other CMO structures, must be
retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date but may be
retired earlier. PAC Bonds are parallel pay CMOs that generally require payments
of a specified amount of principal on each payment date; the required principal
payment on PAC Bonds have the highest priority after interest has been paid to
all classes.


Mortgage-related securities created by private issuers generally offer a higher
rate of interest (and greater credit and interest rate risk) than U.S.
Government and U.S. Government mortgage-related securities because they offer no
direct or indirect government guarantees of payments. However, many issuers or
servicers of mortgage-related securities guarantee, or provide insurance for,
timely payment of interest and principal on such securities.

ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS: Due to the possibility of prepayments of the underlying
mortgage instruments, mortgage-backed securities generally do not have a known
maturity. In the absence of a known maturity, market participants generally
refer to an estimated average life. An average life estimate is a function of an
assumption regarding anticipated prepayment patterns, based upon


                                                                              22

<PAGE>   67

current interest rates, current conditions in the relevant housing markets and
other factors. The assumption is necessarily subjective, and thus different
market participants can produce different average life estimates with regard to
the same security. There can be no assurance that estimated average life will be
a security's actual average life. Like fixed income securities in general,
mortgage-related securities will generally decline in price when interest rates
rise. Rising interest rates also tend to discourage refinancing of home
mortgages, with the result that the average life of mortgage-related securities
held by a Fund may be lengthened. As average life extends, price volatility
generally increases. For that reason, extension of average life causes the
market price of the mortgage-related securities to decrease further when
interest rates rise than if the average lives were fixed. Conversely, when
interest rates fall, mortgages may not enjoy as large a gain in market value due
to prepayment risk. Prepayments in mortgages tend to increase, average life
tends to decline and increases in value are correspondingly moderated.


MUNICIPALS


Municipal securities ("Municipals") are debt obligations issued by local, state
and regional governments that provide interest income that is exempt from
Federal income taxes and in certain instances, from state and local taxes.
Municipals include both municipal bonds (those securities with maturities of
five years or more) and municipal notes (those securities with maturities of
less than five years). Municipal bonds are issued for a wide variety of reasons:
to construct public facilities, such as airports, highways, bridges, schools,
hospitals, mass transportation, streets, water and sewer works; to obtain funds
for operating expenses; to refund outstanding municipal obligations; and to loan
funds to various public institutions and facilities. Certain industrial
development bonds are also considered municipal bonds if their interest is
exempt from federal income taxes. Industrial development bonds are issued by or
on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds for various privately-operated
manufacturing facilities, housing, sports arenas, convention centers, airports,
mass transportation systems and water, gas or sewer works. Industrial
development bonds are ordinarily dependent on the credit quality of a private
user, not the public issuer. Because interest on Municipals is exempt from
Federal income tax, interest payments are lower than those otherwise paid. Of
course, tax exempt investors take the lower interest rate without a
corresponding income tax benefit.


OPTIONS

Options give the holder of the option the right to buy or sell an underlying at
an agreed price, while obligating the writer of the option to buy or sell at the
agreed price if exercised by the buyer. A put option gives the purchaser of the
option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy,
the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option
gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option
the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option
period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the
obligations under the option contract. The initial purchase (sale) of an option
contract is an "opening transaction." The writer of an option may close out an
option position that it has written, by entering into a "closing transaction,"
which is simply the purchase of an option contract on the same security with the
same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally
opened. If the writer is unable to effect a closing transaction, it will be
obligated to honor the option until the option expires or it delivers the
underlying upon exercise. When the Fund writes an option, it will "cover" its
obligation by holding the underlying (in the case of a call option) or
segregating or earmarking cash (in the case of a put option) needed to satisfy
its obligation until it


                                                                              23

<PAGE>   68
enters into a closing transaction, the option expires, or the Fund delivers the
underlying security upon exercise by the option holder.

The Funds may purchase put and call options to protect against declines in the
market values of the securities in its portfolio, or in anticipation of
movements in the market values of securities subject to the option. When a Fund
purchases put and call options it pays a premium. If price movements in the
underlying securities are such that exercise of the option would not be
profitable, the Fund's loss will equal the amount of the premium. In the case of
a put option, where a Fund already holds the underlying security, the loss of
the premium may be offset by an increase in the value of the security. In the
case of a call option, where a Fund acquires the underlying security in a
separate transaction, the loss of the premium may be offset by a decrease in the
cost of acquisition of the security.

The Funds may write covered call and put options as a means of increasing the
yield on its portfolio. When a Fund writes an option, if the underlying
securities do not increase or decrease to a price that would make the exercise
of the option by the option holder profitable, the holder generally will allow
the option to expire without being exercised. In such a situation, the Fund will
have realized as profit the premium received for writing the option. When a call
option written by a Fund is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the
underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price. This price
generally will be lower than the price the Fund could have received if it sold
the underlying at the market price. When a put option written by a Fund is
exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities from
the option holder at the strike price. This price generally will be higher than
the price the Fund would have paid if it bought the underlying at the market
price.

The Funds may purchase and write options on an exchange or over the counter.
Over the counter options ("OTC options") differ from exchange-traded options in
several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a
clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the
counterparty. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and
for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for
exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange,
pricing normally is determined by reference to information provided by a market
maker. OTC options generally are considered to be illiquid.


RISK FACTORS: Risks associated with options transactions include: (1) the
success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in
the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in
interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement
in prices of options and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a
liquid secondary market for options.


PREFERRED STOCKS

Preferred Stocks are securities that evidence ownership in a corporation and pay
a fixed or variable stream of dividends. Preferred Stocks have a preference over
Common Stocks in the event of the liquidation of an issuer and usually do not
carry voting rights. Because Preferred Stocks pay a fixed or variable stream of
dividends they have many of the characteristics of a Fixed Income Security and
are, therefore, included in both the definition of Equity Security and Fixed
Income Security.


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<PAGE>   69
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER


The Investment Manager will use a multimanager approach for each Fund. As a
result, one manager may purchase certain securities at the same time another
manager sells these securities resulting in duplicative transaction costs. The
annual portfolio turnover rate may be in excess of 100%. Higher portfolio
turnover may result in higher transaction costs, including brokerage costs and
taxable gains being passed through all shareholders but impacting taxable
shareholders.






REITS: Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs") pool investors' funds for
investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related
loans or interests. A REIT is not taxed on income distributed to its
shareholders or unitholders if it complies with regulatory requirements relating
to its organization, ownership, assets and income, and with a regulatory
requirement that it distribute to its shareholders or unitholders at least 95%
of its taxable income for each taxable year. Generally, REITs can be classified
as Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs or Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest the
majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income
primarily from rents and capital gains from appreciation realized through
property sales. Equity REITs are further categorized according to the types of
real estate securities they own, e.g., apartment properties, retail shopping
centers, office and industrial properties, hotels, health-care facilities,
manufactured housing and mixed-property types. Mortgage REITs invest the
majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income
primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of
both Equity and Mortgage REITs. A shareholder in any of the Funds, by investing
in REITs indirectly through the Fund, will bear not only his proportionate share
of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, the management expenses of
underlying REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their
underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Mortgage REITs
may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. Furthermore, REITs are
dependent on specialized management skills. Some REITs may have limited
diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in investments in a limited
number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type.
REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make
distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to defaults by
borrowers and to self-liquidations. In addition, the performance of a REIT may
be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income, or
its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.



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REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Repurchase agreements are agreements by which a Fund obtains a security in
exchange for cash and simultaneously commits to return the security to the
seller (typically, a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or primary
securities dealer as recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) at an
agreed upon price (including principal and interest) on an agreed upon date
within a number of days (usually not more than seven) from the date of purchase.
The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate of
interest, which is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the underlying
security. A repurchase agreement involves the obligation of the seller to pay
the agreed upon price, which obligation is, in effect, secured by the value of
the underlying security.

Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by a Fund for purposes of its
investment limitations. The repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund will
provide that the underlying security at all times shall have a value at least
equal to the resale price stated in the agreement. Under all repurchase
agreements entered into by the Fund, the Company's Custodian or its agent must
take possession of the underlying collateral. However, if the seller defaults,
the investing Fund could realize a loss on the sale of the underlying security
to the extent that the proceeds of sale, including accrued interest, are less
than the resale price provided in the agreement including interest. In addition,
even though the Bankruptcy Code provides protection for most repurchase
agreements, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings, the Fund may experience delays and incur costs in selling the
underlying security, or may suffer a loss of principal and interest if the Fund
is treated as an unsecured creditor and is required to return the underlying
security to the seller's estate.

RIGHTS

Rights represent the right, but not the obligation, for a fixed period of time
to purchase additional shares of an issuer's Common Stock at the time of a new
issuance, usually at a price below the initial offering price of the Common
Stock and before the Common Stock is offered to the general public. Rights are
usually freely transferable. The risk of investing in a Right is that the Right
may expire prior to the market value of the Common Stock exceeding the price
fixed by the Right.

RULE 144A SECURITIES


Rule 144A securities are securities exempt from registration on resale pursuant
to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Rule
144A securities are traded in the institutional market pursuant to this
registration exemption, and, as a result, may not be as liquid as
exchange-traded securities since they may only be resold to certain qualified
institutional investors. Due to the relatively limited size of this
institutional market, these securities may affect the Funds' liquidity to the
extent that qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in
purchasing such securities. Nevertheless, Rule 144A securities may be treated as
liquid securities pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Company's Board of
Directors.


SECURITIES LENDING

In order to generate additional income, the Funds may lend their securities
pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by
collateral consisting of cash or securities of the U.S. Government or its
agencies equal to at least 100% of the market value of the loaned securities.


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<PAGE>   71
The Funds continues to receive interest on the loaned securities while
simultaneously earning interest on the investment of cash collateral. Collateral
is marked to market daily. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the
securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the
securities fail financially or become insolvent.




TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

When the Investment Manager believes that changes in economic, financial or
political conditions make it advisable, each Fund may invest up to 100% of its
assets in cash and certain short- and medium-term fixed income securities for
temporary defensive purposes. These Temporary Investments may consist of
obligations of the U.S. or foreign governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities; Money Market Instruments; and instruments issued by
international development agencies.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES: U.S. Government securities are bills, notes and
bonds issued by the U.S. Government and backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States.


U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS: U.S. Treasury Obligations are bills, notes and bonds
issued by the U.S. Treasury, and separately traded interest and principal
component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the Federal
book-entry system known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal
Securities ("STRIPS").


U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS: Agencies are fixed income securities which
are not guaranteed by, or backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, but which are issued, sponsored or guaranteed by a federal agency or
federally sponsored agency. Certain Federal agencies, such as the GNMA, have
been established as instrumentalities of the U.S. Government to supervise and
finance certain types of activities. Issues of these agencies, while not direct
obligations of the U.S. Government, are either backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States (e.g., GNMA securities) or supported by the issuing
agencies' right to borrow from the Treasury. The issues of other agencies are
supported by the credit of the instrumentality (e.g., Fannie Mae securities).


VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS

Certain obligations may carry variable or floating rates of interest, and may
involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature. Such instruments bear
interest at rates which are not fixed, but which vary with changes in specified
market rates or indices. The interest rates on these securities may be


                                                                              27

<PAGE>   72
reset daily, weekly, quarterly or some other reset period, and may have a floor
or ceiling on interest rate changes. There is a risk that the current interest
rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest
rates. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days may be
considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such security.

WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES

When-issued or delayed delivery securities are subject to market fluctuations
due to changes in market interest rates and it is possible that the market value
at the time of settlement could be higher or lower than the purchase price if
the general level of interest rates has changed. When a Fund agrees to purchase
when-issued or delayed delivery securities, it will earmark or segregate cash or
liquid securities in an amount equal to the Funds' commitment to purchase these
securities. Although the Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued (or
forward commitment) basis with the intention of actually acquiring securities
for its investment portfolio, it may dispose of a when-issued security or
forward commitment prior to settlement if it deems appropriate.

YANKEE DOLLARS

The Funds may invest in certain fixed income securities known as Yankee dollars,
which are dollar-denominated obligations issued by foreign banks in the U.S.
markets.

ZERO COUPONS, PAY-IN-KIND SECURITIES OR DEFERRED PAYMENT SECURITIES


Zero Coupon, Pay-In-Kind and Deferred Payment Securities are all types of fixed
income securities on which the holder does not receive periodic cash payments of
interest or principal. Generally, these securities are subject to greater price
volatility and lesser liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than
comparably rated securities paying cash interest at regular intervals. Although
a Fund will not receive cash periodic coupon payments on these securities, the
Fund may be deemed to have received interest income, or "phantom income" during
the life of the obligation. The Fund may have to pay taxes on or distribute this
phantom income, to shareholders although it has not received any cash payment.



ZERO COUPONS: Zero Coupons are fixed income securities that do not make regular
interest payments. Instead, Zero Coupons are sold at a discount from their face
value. The difference between a Zero Coupon's issue or purchase price and its
face value represents the imputed interest an investor will earn if the
obligation is held until maturity. Zero Coupons may offer investors the
opportunity to earn a higher yield than that available on ordinary
interest-paying obligations of similar credit quality and maturity.


PAY-IN-KIND SECURITIES: Pay-In-Kind Securities are securities that have interest
payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is
entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities.


DEFERRED PAYMENT SECURITIES: Deferred Payment Securities are securities that
remain Zero Coupons until a predetermined date, at which time the stated coupon
rate becomes effective and cash interest becomes payable at regular intervals.



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INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of the Funds which
cannot be changed with respect to the Funds without the consent of the holders
of a majority of the Funds' outstanding shares. The term "majority of the
outstanding shares" means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Funds' shares
present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Funds
are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Funds'
outstanding shares, whichever is less.

The Funds may not:

1.       Purchase securities of any issuer (except securities issued or
         guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities
         and repurchase agreements involving such securities) if, as a result,
         (i) more than 5% of the total assets of a Fund would be invested in the
         securities of such issuer; or (ii) acquire more than 10% of the
         outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. This restriction
         applies to 75% of a Fund's total assets.

2.       Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the total
         assets of a Fund to be invested in the securities of one or more
         issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same
         industry, provided that this limitation does not apply to investments
         in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
         agencies and instrumentalities and repurchase agreements involving such
         securities.

3.       Borrow money in an amount exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of its total
         assets, provided that, for purposes of this limitation, investment
         strategies which either obligate a Fund to purchase securities or
         require the Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be
         borrowings.

4.       Make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would
         be lent to other parties, except that a Fund may, without regard to
         this limitation (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance
         with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase
         agreements; and (iii) lend its securities.


5.       Purchase or sell real estate, physical commodities, or commodities
         contracts, except that the Funds may purchase (i) marketable securities
         issued by companies which own or invest in real estate (including real
         estate investment trusts), commodities, or commodities contracts; and
         (ii) commodities contracts relating to financial instruments, such as
         financial futures contracts and options on such contracts.



6.       Issue senior securities (as defined in 1940 Act) except as permitted by
         rule, regulation or order of the SEC.


7.       Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except as it may
         be deemed an underwriter in selling a portfolio security.

8.       Invest in interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
         development programs and oil, gas or mineral leases.


                                                                              29

<PAGE>   74
The foregoing percentages (except with respect to the limitation on borrowing)
will apply at the time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered
violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs immediately after or as a result
of a purchase of such security. For the purposes of fundamental restriction
number 2, finance companies are not considered a single industry, but are
grouped instead according to their services.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The following investment limitations are non-fundamental policies of the Funds
and may be changed with respect to the Funds by the Board of Directors.

The Funds may not:

1.       Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets, except to secure borrowings
         permitted by the Fund's fundamental limitation on borrowing. A transfer
         of assets under a repurchase agreement is not considered a pledge or
         hypothecation subject to this restriction.

2.       Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control.

3.       Purchase securities on margin or effect short sales, except that the
         Fund may (i) obtain short-term credits as necessary for the clearance
         of security transactions; (ii) provide initial and variation margin
         payments in connection with transactions involving futures contracts
         and options on such contracts; and (iii) make short sales "against the
         box" or in compliance with the SEC's position regarding the asset
         segregation requirements imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act.

4.       Invest its assets in securities of any investment company except as
         permitted by the 1940 Act.

5.       Purchase or hold illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be
         disposed of for their approximate carrying value in seven days or less)
         if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested
         in illiquid securities. Unregistered securities sold in reliance on the
         exemption from registration in Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and
         securities exempt from registration on re-sale pursuant to Rule 144A of
         the 1933 Act may be treated as liquid securities under procedures
         adopted by the Board of Directors.


6.       Borrow money, except for temporary or emergency circumstances in
         amounts not to exceed 5% of a Fund's net assets. For example, the Fund
         may borrow for temporary defensive purposes or to meet shareholder
         redemptions when it would not be in the best interests of the Fund to
         liquidate portfolio holdings. The Fund will not make additional
         purchases of securities when the Fund's borrowings exceed 5% of total
         assets.



                                                                              30

<PAGE>   75
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER

Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc. is an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations ("CommonFund").
Employees of the Investment Manager are responsible for CommonFund's investment
programs. For its investment advisory services, the Company will pay the
Investment Manager an annual fee shown as a percentage of average net assets of
each Fund:


<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
         CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund      0.15 - 0.35%*
         CIF Short Duration Fund                     0.19%
         CIF Low Duration Bond Fund                  0.30%
         CIF Core Plus Bond Fund                     0.35%
         CIF Core Equity Fund                        0.45%
         CIF Small Cap Growth Fund                   0.90%
         CIF Small Cap Value Fund                    0.90%
         CIF International Equity Fund               0.70%
</TABLE>



         *The Investment Advisory Fees vary with fund performance. The total
         advisory fee payable by the Fund will be 0.25% (25 basis points) per
         annum of assets under management if the return on the Fund is 50 basis
         points above the Lehman U.S. TIPS Index ("fulcrum point"), and will
         vary upwards or downwards by an amount equal to 20% of any performance
         above or below the fulcrum point. In no event will the fee exceed 35
         basis points or decline below 15 basis points.



The Investment Manager serves as the investment adviser for the Funds under an
investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). Under the Advisory
Agreement, and subject to the supervision of, and policies established by, the
Company's Board of Directors, the Investment Manager determines the investment
structure and strategy of each Fund, selects Sub-Advisers to implement those
strategies, and supervises adherence by the Sub-Advisers with the Funds'
investment policies and guidelines. The Investment Manager also recommends the
appointment of additional or replacement Sub-Advisers to the Company's Board of
Directors. The Investment Manager makes recommendations to the Board of
Directors with respect to the appropriate allocation of assets to each of the
Sub-Advisers. The Company and the Investment Manager have applied for exemptive
relief from the SEC necessary to permit the Investment Manager to add or
terminate Sub-Advisers without shareholder approval. The Advisory Agreement
provides that the Investment Manager shall not be protected against any
liability to the Company or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or
from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.


The continuance of the Advisory Agreement after the first two years must be
specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Board of
Directors or by a vote of the shareholders of the Funds, and (ii) by the vote of
a majority of the Board of Directors who are not parties to the Advisory
Agreement or "interested persons" of any party thereto (the "Independent
Directors"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event
of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board of
Directors of the Company or, with respect to a Fund, by a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, on not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days'
written notice to the Investment Manager, or by the Investment Manager on 90
days' written notice to the Company.


                                                                              31

<PAGE>   76
THE SUB-ADVISERS


The Funds currently have twenty-three sub-advisers (each a "Sub-Adviser and,
collectively, the "Sub-Advisers"), which are listed below. Each Sub-Adviser will
manage the portion of the Funds' assets allocated to it, which allocation is
determined by the Directors upon the recommendation of the Investment Manager.
Each Sub-Adviser makes the investment decisions for its portion of the allocated
assets of its Fund subject to the supervision of, and in accordance with
policies established by, the Board of Directors. The percentage of assets of
each Fund allocated to each Sub-Adviser is described in more detail below.



ADVANCED INVESTMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC. ("AIT") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Core
Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, AIT had approximately $875 million in
assets under management.



ARTISAN PARTNERS, L.P. ("Artisan") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small Cap
Growth Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Artisan had approximately $10.6 billion
in assets under management.



CAPITAL GUARDIAN TRUST COMPANY ("Capital Guardian") acts as Sub-Adviser to the
CIF International Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Capital Guardian had
approximately $125 billion in assets under management.



CAPITALWORKS INVESTMENT PARTNERS ("CapitalWorks") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
Small Cap Growth Fund. As of September 30, 2000, CapitalWorks had approximately
$1.18 billion in assets under management.



CONSTITUTION RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT, INC. ("Constitution Research") acts as
Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. As of September 30, 2000,
Constitution Research had approximately $653 million in assets under management.



GLOBEFLEX CAPITAL, L.P. ("GlobeFlex Capital") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
Small Cap Growth Fund. As of September 30, 2000, GlobeFlex Capital had
approximately $1.02 billion in assets under management.



GRANTHAM, MAYO, VAN OTTERLOO & CO. LLC ("GMO") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
International Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, GMO had approximately $22.4
billion in assets under management.



HIGH ROCK CAPITAL LLC ("High Rock Capital") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small
Cap Value Fund. As of September 30, 2000, High Rock Capital had approximately
$1.95 billion in assets under management.



IRIDIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC ("Iridian") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Core
Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Iridian had approximately $9.48 billion
in assets under management.



JOHN A. LEVIN & CO., INC. ("John A. Levin") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Core
Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, John A. Levin had approximately $10.5
billion in assets under management.



                                                                              32

<PAGE>   77

MARSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC ("Marsico Capital") acts as Sub-Adviser to the
CIF Core Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Marsico Capital had
approximately $15.5 billion in assets under management.



MARTINGALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P. ("Martingale") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
Small Cap Value Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Martingale had approximately
$1.41 billion in assets under management.



METROPOLITAN WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT ("MetWest") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
Low Duration Bond Fund. As of September 30, 2000, MetWest had approximately
$9.23 billion in assets under management.



NORTHPOINTE CAPITAL LLC ("NorthPointe") serves as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small
Cap Value Fund. As of September 30, 2000, NorthPointe had approximately $381
million in assets under management.



PACIFIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY ("PIMCO") acts as Sub-Adviser for the CIF
Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund and the CIF Core Plus Bond Fund. As of September 30,
2000, PIMCO had approximately $207.3 billion in assets under management.



SEIX INVESTMENT ADVISORS ("SEIX") serves as a Sub-Adviser to the CIF Low
Duration Bond Fund. As of September 30, 2000, SEIX had approximately $7.23
billion in assets under management.



SHAPIRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC. ("Shapiro Capital") acts as Sub-Adviser
to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Shapiro Capital had
approximately $1.01 billion in assets under management.



SKYLINE ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P. ("Skyline") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small
Cap Value Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Skyline had approximately $654 million
in assets under management.



STATE STREET GLOBAL ADVISORS, INC. ("SSgA") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Core
Equity Fund, CIF Small Cap Growth Fund, CIF Small Cap Value Fund and CIF
International Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, SSgA had approximately
$741.2 billion in assets under management.



TT INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ("TT International") acts as Sub-Adviser
to the CIF International Equity Fund. As of September 30, 2000, TT International
had approximately $7.65 billion in assets under management.



VEREDUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC ("Veredus") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF Small
Cap Growth Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Veredus had approximately $546
million in assets under management.



WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLP ("Wellington Management") acts as Sub-Adviser
to the CIF Short Duration Fund. As of September 30, 2000, Wellington Management
had approximately $226.8 billion in assets under management.



                                                                              33

<PAGE>   78

WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY ("WAMCO") acts as Sub-Adviser to the CIF
Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund, CIF Short Duration Fund and CIF Core Plus Bond
Fund. As of September 30, 2000, WAMCO had approximately $71.1 billion in assets
under management.




FUND ADMINISTRATION



The Company and Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT Co.") have entered into an
administration agreement (the "Administration Agreement"), custodian agreement
and transfer agency and service agreement, pursuant to which IBT
Co. will provide general fund administration services to the Funds including,
Fund Administration, Fund Accounting, Custody and Transfer Agent services. For
the services rendered by IBT Co., the Company will pay IBT an aggregate fee,
which is calculated daily and paid monthly, equal to the following percentages
of the average daily net assets of the Funds and the Commonfund funds allocated
to it: .0725% for $10 billion or less, .055% for the next $10 billion and .004%
for over $20 billion.


The Administration Agreement provides that IBT Co. shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company in
connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates,
except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
on the part of the Administrator in the performance of its duties or from
reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

The Administration Agreement has an initial term of three years and is
automatically renewed for an additional three year term unless terminated by
either party on 90 days prior notice. Either party may terminate the
Administration Agreement in the event of a material breach of the Administration
Agreement that is not cured within 90 days of notice thereof, and the Company
may terminate this Administrative Agreement in the event that IBT Co fails to
cure identified deficiencies within 30 days after a written notice thereof.


CUSTODIAN

IBT Co., 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, 02116, acts as the custodian of the
Company. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as
required by the 1940 Act.

EXPERTS

The Independent Accountants for the Company are PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
located at 1177 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19103, serves as counsel to the Company.


                                                                              34

<PAGE>   79
DISTRIBUTION


Commonfund Securities, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Commonfund, serves as the distributor of interests in the Company
under a Distribution Agreement. The Distribution Agreement shall remain in
effect for a period of two years after the effective date of the agreement and
is renewable annually thereafter with the approval of a majority of the Board of
Directors and a majority of the Independent Directors. The Distribution
Agreement may be terminated by the Distributor, by a majority vote of the
Directors who are not interested persons and have no financial interest in the
Distribution Agreement or by a majority vote of the outstanding securities of
the Company upon not more than 60 days' written notice by either party or upon
assignment by the Distributor. The Distributor receives no compensation from the
Funds. The Investment Manager pays the Distributor, from its own assets, an
annual fee equal to the costs it incurs in distributing shares of the Funds,
plus 5% of such costs.


DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

The management and affairs of the Company are supervised by the Directors under
the laws of the State of Delaware. The Directors have approved contracts under
which, as described above, certain companies provide essential management
services to the Company. The Directors and executive officers of the Company and
their principal occupations for the last five years are set forth below. Each
may have held other positions with the named companies during that period.
Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each Director and each Executive
Officer is c/o Commonfund Institutional Fund, 15 Old Danbury Road, P.O. Box 812,
Wilton, CT 06897-0812.

DIRECTORS

         Robert L. Bovinette* - 60


Mr. Bovinette has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonfund
since January, 1996. Prior to that time, he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a private
day school with a substantial endowment.


         John B. Carroll - 65

Mr. Carroll was President of GTE (Verizon) Investment Management Corporation
from 1984-1997, and Vice President of Investment Management for GTE (Verizon)
Corporation from 1984 to 2000, at which time total asset responsibility was in
excess of $80 billion.

Prior to 1984, Mr. Carroll was Executive Vice President and Director of
Consulting for Evaluation Associates, Inc. (EAI), an investment consulting firm.
Prior to EAI, Mr. Carroll was Vice President and Head of Pension Investment
Consulting at Chemical Bank of New York (now The Chase Manhattan Bank).

Mr. Carroll is also a Director of iShares and the J.P. Morgan Private Equity
Fund. He is a former member of the Institutional Investment Committee of the New
York Stock Exchange, a past Vice Chairman of CIEBA and a past Chairman of the
Noyes Foundation. He was also a former Trustee and Member of the Executive
Committee of the Common Fund. He resides in Ridgefield, CT and Kerry, Ireland.


                                                                              35

<PAGE>   80

         David M. Lascell, Esq.* - 59



David M. Lascell is a partner in the law firm of Harter, Secrest & Emery, LLP.
Mr. Lascell received his A.B. from Hamilton College, his Bachelor of Laws Degree
from Cornell University Law School, and has been practicing law since 1966. He
is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Law Institute
and the Defense Research Institute.



Mr. Lascell has served on the Board of Trustees of The Common Fund for Nonprofit
Organizations ("Commonfund") since 1990 and is currently the Chair. He is a
Trustee of Grove City College in Pennsylvania and is its Treasurer. Mr. Lascell
has been a Director of United Insurance Management Company since 1991. He also
is a part owner, Director, Vice President and General Counsel of AWH
Corporation, a privately held corporation that finishes the interiors of ships
in major shipyards around the world, and manufactures interior fixtures for
convenience stores and the petroleum industry in the United States.



Mr. Lascell served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wells College from
1977 to 1989, and is now an Honorary Trustee of the College. From 1986 to 1988
he was a Director of the American Council on Education and served as a Trustee
of Rochester Area Colleges from 1980 to 1981, a consortium of public and private
colleges in upstate New York. From 1980 through 1991, he was a Director of the
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, serving two terms
as its Chairperson, from 1986 to 1988. For eleven years beginning in 1988, Mr.
Lascell was a Director of the National Center for Non-Profit Boards and was its
first Chairman.



Mr. Lascell was a founding Director of SCUUL, Ltd in 1986, an offshore
for-profit stock insurance company that acts as a reinsurer and also writes
various liability coverages. From 1989 to 1993 he was also Chairman of the Board
of United Educators Insurance Risk Retention Group, the leading provider of
liability coverages for colleges, universities, and independent schools in the
United States. He has published material dealing with trustees' fiduciary
duties, legal guidelines for college and university administrators, and
comparing nonprofit and business corporation boards of directors.



         Louis W. Moelchert - 58

Mr. Moelchert is a registered investment adviser and has been President & Owner
of Private Advisor, LLC since 1996. Since 1975 he has been employed by the
University of Richmond, first as Vice President for Business and Finance from
1975 through 1997, and since 1997 as Vice President for Investments.

Mr. Moelchert served on the Investment Advisory Committee of the Virginia State
Retirement System, first as Vice Chairman from 1996 through 1997, and as
Chairman from 1998-2000. He serves on the investment advisory and/or valuation
committees of approximately ten private capital investment funds, on the Boards
of Directors of Venture Lending and Leasing II and the Mentor Family of Funds.
He is President of the Endowment Fund of the River Road Baptist Church.

From 1986 to 1998, Mr. Moelchert was a member of the Board of Trustees of the
Commonfund, serving as Vice Chairman from 1991 through 1993 and as Chairman from
1994 through 1998. Mr. Moelchert resides in Richmond, Virginia.


                                                                              36

<PAGE>   81
         Jerald L. Stevens - 59

Since 1985, Mr. Stevens has been a consultant in the areas of investment and
financial management to a range of clients including American Express,
Rockefeller & Company, James Wolfenson & Co., Indiana University and Xerox
Financial Services where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief of
Staff from 1988 through 1990. From 1983 through 1985 he was President and Chief
Operating Officer of Vanguard Group, and from 1978 through 1983 he served as
Vice President, Finance and Administration, and Treasurer of Yale University
where he had overall responsibility for all investment activities where major
initiatives were launched in real estate, venture capital, index investing and
international markets.

Mr. Stevens was Secretary of Human Services and Commissioner of Public Welfare
for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1975 through 1978, Senior Vice
President of the Boston Company, from 1973 through 1975, and Senior Vice
President and Director of Wellington Management Company from 1967 through 1973.

Mr. Stevens has served as Trustee of Bryn Mawr College 1984-1994 and has been a
Board Member of the Long Wharf Theatre 1991-1993, University City Science Center
1983-1988, Thomas Jefferson University 1983-1988 and Yale New Haven Hospital
1978-1983. He was a trustee of the Hospital Fund, Inc. from 1991 through 1999,
serving as Chairman from 1995 through 1999. Mr. Stevens resides in Chester, VT.



         *Messrs. Bovinette and Lascell are "interested persons" within the
         meaning of the 1940 Act.


OFFICERS

         President - Robert L. Bovinette - see above.

         Secretary - John W. Auchincloss - 42

Mr. Auchincloss is General Counsel and Secretary of The Common Fund for
Nonprofit Organizations. He joined that organization as Assistant General
Counsel in July 1996. Prior to that time he was of Counsel to the Westport,
Connecticut law firm of Levett, Rockwood & Sanders, P.C. which he joined in the
Spring of 1994 after serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in the
Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

         Assistant Secretary - Susan C. Mosher - 45

Ms. Mosher is a Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust
Company. She has been employed by the organization in such capacity since 1995.
Prior to joining Investors Bank & Trust Company, Ms. Mosher served as Associate
Counsel to 440 Financial Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Allmerica Financial, from
1992 to 1995.


         Treasurer - Marita K. Wein - 38

Ms. Wein is Senior Vice President and Treasurer of The Common Fund for Nonprofit
Organizations. She has been employed by that organization for 14 years in the
fund accounting area and, since her


                                                                              37

<PAGE>   82
appointment to her present position in June 1997, she has been responsible for
general investor accounting and reporting functions of the company.

         Assistant Treasurer - Timothy F. Osborne - 33


Mr. Osborne serves as a Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank
& Trust Company, a position he assumed in 1998. Mr. Osborne joined Investors
Bank & Trust Company in 1995 as a Manager. Prior to that time, Mr. Osborne was
an Account Supervisor at Chase Global Funds Services Company from 1992 to 1995.



         COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS



The Officers of the Company serve without compensation as such. The Company pays
Mr. Carroll, Mr. Lascell, Mr. Moelchert, and Mr. Stevens each an annual fee of
$8,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.



The Directors and officers of the Company own less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of the Funds.


Compensation Table*


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Director                   Aggregate            Pension or             Estimated Annual       Total Compensation
                           Compensation From    Retirement Benefits    Benefits Upon          From Funds and Fund
                           Funds                Accrued As Part of     Retirement             Complex Paid to
                                                Funds Expenses                                Directors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                  <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Robert L. Bovinette,       None                 None                   None                   None
Director

John B. Carroll, Director  $8,000               None                   None                   $8,000

David M. Lascell           $8,000               None                   None                   $8,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis W. Moelchert,        $8,000               None                   None                   $8,000
Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jerald L. Stevens,         $8,000               None                   None                   $8,000
Director
</TABLE>


*   The compensation figures are based on estimates of future payments for the
    current fiscal year.


                                                                              38

<PAGE>   83
COMPUTATION OF YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN

From time to time the Company may advertise yield and total return of the Funds.
These figures will be based on historical earnings and are not intended to
indicate future performance. No representation can be made concerning actual
future yields or returns. The yield of the Funds refers to the annualized income
generated by an investment in a Fund over a specified 30-day period. The yield
is calculated by assuming that the income generated by the investment during
that 30-day period is generated in each period over one year and is shown as a
percentage of the investment. In particular, yield will be calculated according
to the following formula:


Yield = 2[((a-b)/cd + 1)(6) - 1] where a = dividends and interest earned during
the period; b = expenses accrued for the period (net of any reimbursement); c =
the current daily number of shares outstanding during the period that were
entitled to receive dividends; and d = the maximum offering price per share on
the last day of the period.



The total return of a Fund refers to the average compounded rate of return to a
hypothetical investment for designated time periods (including but not limited
to, the period from which that particular Fund commenced operations through the
specified date), assuming that the entire investment is redeemed at the end of
each period. In particular, total return will be calculated according to the
following formula: P (1 + T)(n) = ERV, where P = a hypothetical initial payment
of $1,000; T = average annual total return; n = number of years; and ERV =
ending redeemable value, as of the end of the designated time period, of a
hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the designated time period.


PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Purchases and redemptions may be made through Investors Bank & Trust Company
(the "Transfer Agent") on days when the Federal Reserve System and the New York
Stock Exchange are both open for business. Currently, the weekdays on which the
Funds are closed for business are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Shares of the
Fund are offered on a continuous basis.

It is currently the Company's policy to pay all redemptions in cash. The Company
retains the right, however, to alter this policy to provide for redemptions in
whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of securities held by the Fund in
lieu of cash. [The Company has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the
1940 Act, under which the Trust is obligated to redeem shares for any one
shareholder of record in cash only up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the
Fund's net asset value during any 90-day period.] Shareholders may incur
brokerage charges on the sale of any such securities so received in payment of
redemptions.

The Company reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and/or to
postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period on which trading on
the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, or during the existence of an
emergency (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) as a result of which
disposal or valuation of the Fund's securities is not reasonably practicable, or
for such other periods as the SEC has by order permitted. The Company also
reserves the right to suspend sales of shares of the Fund for any period during
which the New York Stock Exchange, the


                                                                              39

<PAGE>   84
Investment Manager, the Administrator, the Transfer Agent and/or the Custodian
are not open for business.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The securities of the Funds are valued by the Investors Bank & Trust Company
(the "Custodian"), with assistance of the Sub-Advisers, under the general
supervision of a Valuation Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The
Custodian may use an independent pricing service to obtain valuations of
securities. The pricing service relies primarily on prices of actual market
transactions as well as on trade quotations obtained from third parties.
However, the pricing service may use a matrix system to determine valuations of
fixed income securities. This system considers such factors as security prices,
yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific
securities in arriving at valuations. The procedures used by the pricing service
and its valuation are reviewed by the officers of the Company under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors. If there is no readily ascertainable
market value for a security, the Investment Manager may make a good faith
determination as to the "fair value" of the security in accordance with
procedures adopted by the Board of Directors and a Valuation Committee.


Securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less will be valued by the
amortized cost method, unless it is determined not to represent fair value in
accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The amortized cost
method involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and
thereafter (unless amortized cost is determined in accordance with procedures
approved by the Board of Directors not to represent fair value) assuming a
constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the
impact of fluctuations in general market rates of interest on the value of the
instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in
periods during which value, as determined by this method, is higher or lower
than the price the Fund would receive if it sold the instrument.


TAXES


The following is only a summary of certain tax considerations generally
affecting the Funds and their shareholders, and is not intended as a substitute
for careful tax planning. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors
with specific reference to their own tax situations, including their state and
local tax liabilities.


FEDERAL INCOME TAX

The following is only a summary of certain additional federal tax considerations
generally affecting the Funds that are not discussed in the Funds' prospectuses.
No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal, state or
local tax treatment of the Funds or their shareholders and the discussion here
and in the Funds' prospectuses is not intended as a substitute for careful tax
planning.

The discussion of federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the
regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this Statement of
Additional Information. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or
court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and
may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated
herein.


                                                                              40

<PAGE>   85
The Funds intend to qualify as a "regulated investment company" ("RIC") as
defined under Subchapter M of the Code. By following such a policy, the Funds
expects to eliminate or reduce to a nominal amount the federal taxes to which it
may be subject.


In order to qualify for treatment as a RIC under the Code, the Funds must
distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its net
interest income excludable from gross income plus 90% of its investment company
taxable income (generally, net investment income plus net short-term capital
gain) ("Distribution Requirement") and also must meet several additional
requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of
the Funds' gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or
other disposition of stock or securities, or certain other income (including
gains from options, futures or forward contracts); (ii) at the close of each
quarter of the Funds' taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total
assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities,
securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities
limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of
the value of that Fund's assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and (iii) at the close of each
quarter of a Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its assets
may be invested in securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the
securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers which are
engaged in the same, similar or related trades or business if that Fund owns at
least 20% of the voting power of such issuer.


Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, which requires
only that the Funds distribute at least 90% of its annual investment company
taxable income and does not require any minimum distribution of net capital gain
(the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), the
Funds will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax to the extent it
fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year 98% of its ordinary income
for that year and 98% of its capital gain net income (the excess of short- and
long-term capital gains over short-and long-term capital losses) for the
one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts.

The Funds intend to make sufficient distributions to avoid liability for the
federal excise tax. The Funds may in certain circumstances be required to
liquidate their investments in order to make sufficient distributions to avoid
federal excise tax liability at a time when the Investment Manager or
Sub-Adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so, and liquidation of
investments in such circumstances may affect the ability of the Funds to satisfy
the requirements for qualification as a RIC.

Any gain or loss recognized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the
Funds by a taxable shareholder who is not a dealer in securities will generally,
for individual shareholders, be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if
the shares have been held for more than twelve months, and otherwise will be
treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, if shares on which a
taxable shareholder has received a net capital gain distribution are
subsequently sold, exchanged or redeemed and such shares have been held for six
months or less, any loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of the net capital gain distribution.


Generally, shareholders should include all dividends as income in the year of
payment. However, dividends declared payable to shareholders of record in
October, November or December of one year, but paid in January of the following
year, will be deemed for tax purposes to have been received by the shareholder
and paid by the Fund in the year in which the dividends were declared.



                                                                              41

<PAGE>   86
In certain cases, a Fund will be required to withhold, and remit to the U.S.
Treasury, 31% of any distributions paid to a shareholder who (1) has failed to
provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) is subject to backup
withholding by the Internal Revenue Service, or (3) has not certified to that
Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.


If a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, it will be taxable at
regular corporate rates. In such an event, all distributions (including capital
gains distributions) will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the
Funds' current and accumulated earnings and profits, and such distributions may
generally be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. The Board
reserves the right to cause a Fund not to qualify for a RIC for a taxable year
if it determines that it would be beneficial to the Fund's shareholders.


STATE TAXES

The Funds are not liable for any income or franchise tax in Delaware if they
qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Distributions by the Funds to
shareholders and the ownership of shares may be subject to state and local
taxes.


                                                                              42

<PAGE>   87
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Sub-Advisers are authorized to select brokers and dealers to effect
securities transactions for their respective Funds. The Sub-Advisers will seek
to obtain the most favorable net results by taking into account various factors,
including price, commission, if any, size of the transactions and difficulty of
executions, the firm's general execution and operational facilities and the
firm's risk in positioning the securities involved. While the Sub-Advisers
generally seek reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Funds will not
necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. The
Sub-Advisers seek to select brokers or dealers that offer their Fund best price
and execution and other services which are of benefit to the Fund.

The Sub-Advisers may, consistent with the interests of their Fund, consider
research services that a broker or a dealer provides in selecting brokers and
dealers for the Fund. Such services may include analyses of the business or
prospects of a company, industry or economic sector, or statistical and pricing
services. Information so received by the Sub-Advisers will be in addition to and
not in lieu of the services required to be performed by them under their
Sub-Advisory Agreements. If, in the judgment of a Sub-Adviser, the Fund or other
accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser will be benefited by supplemental research
services, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay brokerage commissions to a broker
furnishing such services which are in excess of commissions which another broker
may have charged for effecting the same transaction. These research services
include advice, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the
value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling
securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities; furnishing of analyses and reports concerning issuers, securities or
industries; providing information on economic factors and trends; assisting in
determining portfolio strategy; providing computer software used in security
analyses; and providing portfolio performance evaluation and technical market
analyses. The expenses of the Sub-Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a
result of the receipt of such supplemental information, such services may not be
used exclusively with respect to the Fund or account generating the brokerage,
and there can be no guarantee that the Sub-Adviser will find all of such
services of value in advising the Fund.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to
Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Investment Adviser,
Sub-Advisers, and Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule
17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of
directors, officers and certain employees ("access persons"). Rule 17j-1 and the
Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase
or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access
persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are
required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring
purposes. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval
before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. Copies of
these Codes of Ethics are on file with SEC, and are available to the public.


                                                                              43

<PAGE>   88
VOTING

Each share held entitles the shareholder of record to one vote. Shares issued by
the Funds have no preemptive, conversion, or subscription rights. Each whole
share shall be entitled to one vote and each fractional share shall be entitled
to a proportionate fractional vote. The Funds, as separate series of the
Company, vote separately on matters affecting only the Funds. Voting rights are
not cumulative. Shareholders of each Class of any Fund will vote separately on
matters pertaining solely to that Class. As a Delaware business trust, the
Company is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders, but approval
will be sought for certain changes in the operation of the Company and for the
election of Directors under certain circumstances.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of funds
and shares thereof. Each share of the Funds represent an equal proportionate
interest in the Funds with each other share. Shares are entitled upon
liquidation to a pro rata share in the net assets of the Funds. Shareholders
have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Directors
of the Company may create additional series of shares or separate classes of
funds. All consideration received by the Company for shares of any fund or
separate class and all assets in which such consideration is invested would
belong to that fund or separate class and would be subject to the liabilities
related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued.

5% SHAREHOLDERS


As of November 30, 2000, the following shareholders owned 5% or more of each
Fund's outstanding shares:



<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
         CIF Short Duration Fund

         MAINE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION                           6.2%
         150 Capital Street
         Augusta, ME 04101-6847

         NEW LONDON HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION                      9.2%
         270 County Road
         New London, NH 03257-4570

         SCUULNET, INC. D.B.A. CAMPUSFIRST                    5.9%
         Two Wisconsin Circle, Suite 1040
         Chevy Chase, MD 20815
</TABLE>



                                                                              44

<PAGE>   89

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
         UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RETIREMENT                   11.3%
         COMMUNITY D.B.A. HAVENWOOD HERITAGE
         HEIGHTS
         33 Christian Avenue
         Concord, NH 03301

         THE COMMONFUND FOR NONPROFIT                         59.3%
         ORGANIZATIONS
         15 Old Danbury Road
         P.O. Box 812
         Wilton, CT 06897-0812
</TABLE>



                                                                              45

<PAGE>   90




FINANCIAL STATEMENT
CIF Short Duration Fund's audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of
April 30, 2000 is included in the Statement of Additional Information below.



                         COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
                         COMMONFUND SHORT DURATION FUND
                        STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES



                                 APRIL 30, 2000




<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
ASSETS:

Cash                                                        $   100,000
Receivable for shares sold                                   10,100,000

                                                            -----------
     Total Assets                                           $10,200,000
                                                            -----------
LIABILITIES:
                                                            -----------
     Total Liabilities                                      $         0
                                                            -----------

                                                            $10,200,000
     NET ASSETS
                                                            ===========


Shares outstanding (unlimited shares
authorized, $.001 par value)                                  1,020,000
                                                            ===========

Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price
per share                                                   $     10.00
                                                            ===========
</TABLE>



                        See Notes to Financial Statement



                                                                              46

<PAGE>   91

COMMONFUND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
COMMONFUND SHORT DURATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT
APRIL 30, 2000



Note 1 - General



Commonfund Institutional Funds (the "Company") was established as a Delaware
business trust under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 7, 1999
and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"), as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The
Company currently consists of one series, Commonfund Short Duration Fund (the
"Fund").



The Fund seeks current income from interest and price appreciation consistent
with liquidity and capital preservation by investing in short duration fixed
income securities.



Commonfund Asset Management Company ("COMANCO"), an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of The Commonfund for Nonprofit Organizations ("Commonfund"), serves
as investment manager to the Company. Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT")
serves as the custodian, fund accounting agent, administrator, transfer agent
and dividend disbursing agent to the Fund. Commonfund Securities, Inc.
("Commonfund Securities"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Commonfund,
serves as distributor to the Fund.



The Company has had no operations through April 30, 2000, other than those
relating to organizational matters, the sale of 10,000 shares of common stock to
COMANCO and the sale of 1,010,000 shares to investors. Of 1,010,000 shares sold
to investors, 1,000,000 shares were sold to an affiliate of COMANCO.
Organization expenses incurred in connection with the organization and initial
registration of the Company were paid by COMANCO.




Note 2 - Agreements



The Company has retained the services of COMANCO as investment manager. COMANCO
exercises overall responsibility for supervision of the investment management
program for the Fund but has contracted out the day-to-day management of the
investment operations of the Fund to sub-advisers. As compensation for the
services rendered by COMANCO under the investment advisory agreement with the
Company, COMANCO receives a fee from the Fund, which is computed daily and paid
monthly, equal to an annual fee of 0.19% of the Fund's average daily net assets.



COMANCO has retained the services of Wellington Management Company, LLP and
Western Asset Management Company as investment sub-advisers to the Fund. As
compensation for their services, each sub-adviser receives a fee paid from
COMANCO that is based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.



                                                                              47

<PAGE>   92

The Company has retained the services of IBT as the transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent, custodian and fund accounting agent for the Fund. For these
services, IBT will receive a fee from the Fund, which is computed daily and paid
monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0235% of the average daily net assets of the
Fund up to $10 billion and 0.0185% of such net assets in excess of $10 billion.
In addition, the Company has retained IBT as administrator of the Fund. For its
services as administrator, IBT will receive a fee from the Fund, which is
computed daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.05% of the average
daily net assets of the Fund up to $10 billion and 0.025% of such net assets in
excess of $10 billion. Certain officers of the Company are also officers of IBT.



The Company has entered into a distribution agreement with Commonfund
Securities, an affiliate of COMANCO, to serve as principal distributor for
shares of the Fund. COMANCO has agreed to pay Commonfund Securities for services
rendered to the Company.



COMMONFUND SHORT DURATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT  (CONTINUED)



APRIL 30, 2000




Note 2 - Agreements (continued)



COMANCO has contractually agreed that it will waive its fee or reimburse the
Fund for expenses through at least October 31, 2001, to the extent necessary to
maintain the Fund's total operating expenses at not more than 0.25% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund. Such waiver and/or reimbursement is
determined on an annual basis. COMANCO has undertaken to pay all organizational
expenses of the Company.



The Fund will pay each director, other than Robert L. Bovinette, who is Chair of
the Board of Directors of the investment adviser, an annual fee of $8,000 plus
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.




Note 3 - Income Taxes



The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and make the requisite
distributions of taxable income to its shareholders which will be sufficient to
relieve it from all or substantially all federal income and excise taxes.



                                                                              48

<PAGE>   93

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



To the Board of Trustees
and Shareholders of
Commonfund Institutional Funds





In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Commonfund
Institutional Funds -- Short Duration Fund (the "Fund") at April 30, 2000, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial
statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit of this financial statement
in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.







PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York
November 6, 2000



                                                                              49

<PAGE>   94
APPENDIX

The following descriptions are summaries of published ratings.

DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating S&P assigns to a debt obligation. Such a
rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
Bonds rated AA by S&P also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and differs from AAA issues only in
small degree. Debt rated A by S&P has a strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects
of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated
categories.


Bonds rated Aaa by Moody's are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large, or an exceptionally stable,
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues. Bonds rated Aa by Moody's are
judged by Moody's to be of high quality by all standards. Together with bonds
rated Aaa, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are
rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as
large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of
greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risk appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities. Bonds rated A by
Moody's possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as
upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and
interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a
susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.


Fitch uses plus and minus signs with a rating symbol to indicate the relative
position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however,
are not used in the AAA category. Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are considered to be
investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an
exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay principal, which is
unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events. Bonds rated AA by
Fitch are considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+. Bonds rated A by Fitch
are considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's
ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may
be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances
than bonds with higher ratings.

Bonds rated AAA by Duff are judged by Duff to be of the highest credit quality,
with negligible risk factors being only slightly more than for risk-free U.S.
Treasury debt. Bonds rated AA by Duff are judged by Duff to be of high credit
quality with strong protection factors and risk that is modest but that may vary
slightly from time to time because of economic conditions. Bonds rated A by Duff
are judged by Duff to have average but adequate protection factors. However,
risk factors are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.

Obligations rated AAA by IBCA have the lowest expectation of investment risk.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial, such
that adverse changes in business, economic or
<PAGE>   95
financial conditions are unlikely to increase investment risk significantly.
Obligations for which there is a very low expectation of investment risk are
rated AA by IBCA. Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is
substantial. Adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions may
increase investment risk albeit not very significantly. Obligations for which
there is a low expectation on investment risk are rated A by IBCA. Capacity for
timely repayment of principal and interest is strong, although adverse changes
in business, economic or financial conditions may lead to increased investment
risk.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

Commercial paper rated A by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") is regarded by
S&P as having the greatest capacity for timely payment. Issues rated A are
further refined by use of the numbers 1, 1 +, and 2 to indicate the relative
degree of safety. Issues rated A-1+ are those with an "overwhelming degree" of
credit protection. Those rated A-1, the highest rating category, reflect a "very
strong" degree of safety regarding timely payment. Those rated A-2, the second
highest rating category, reflect a satisfactory degree of safety regarding
timely payment but not as high as A-1.

Commercial paper issues rated Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's") are judged by Moody's to be of "superior" quality and "strong"
quality respectively on the basis of relative repayment capacity.

F-1+ (Exceptionally Strong) is the highest commercial paper rating Fitch
assigns; paper rated F-1+ is regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment. Paper rated F-1 (Very Strong) reflects an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than paper rated F-1+.
The rating F-2 (Good) reflects a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely
payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues rated F-1+ or
F-1.

The rating Duff-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Duff. Paper
rated Duff-1 is regarded as having very high certainty of timely payment with
excellent liquidity factors which are supported by good fundamental protection
factors. Risk factors are minor. Duff has incorporated gradations of 1+ and 1-
to assist investors in recognizing quality differences within this highest tier.
Paper rated Duff-1+ has the highest certainty of timely payment, with
outstanding short-term liquidity and safety just below risk-free U.S. Treasury
short-term obligations. Paper rated Duff-1- has high certainty of timely payment
with strong liquidity factors which are supported by good fundamental protection
factors. Risk factors are very small. Paper rated Duff-2 is regarded as having
good certainty of timely payment, good access to capital markets (although
ongoing funding may enlarge total financing requirements) and sound liquidity
factors and company fundamentals. Risk factors are small.

The designation A1, the highest rating by IBCA, indicates that the obligation is
supported by a strong capacity for timely repayment. Those obligations rated A1+
are supported by the highest capacity for timely repayment. Obligations rated
A2, the second highest rating, are supported by a satisfactory capacity for
timely repayment, although such capacity may be susceptible to adverse changes
in business, economic or financial conditions.

                                                                               2
<PAGE>   96
PART C:  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 23.  Exhibits:

   (a)(1)   Certificate of Trust dated August 12, 1999, is incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit (a)(1) of the Registrant's Initial Registration
            Statement as filed via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-99-000977) on
            August 17, 1999.

   (a)(2)   Declaration of Trust of Commonfund Institutional Funds, dated August
            7, 1999, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of the
            Registrant's Initial Registration Statement as filed via EDGAR
            (Accession No. 0000893220-99-000977) on August 17, 1999.

   (b)      By-Laws are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) of the
            Registrant's Initial Registration Statement as filed via EDGAR
            (Accession No. 0000893220-99-000977) on August 17, 1999.

   (c)      Instruments defining rights of Security Holders incorporated by
            reference to the Declaration of Trust of Commonfund Institutional
            Funds, filed via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-99-000977) as
            Exhibit (a)(2) to the Registrant's Initial Registration Statement on
            August 17, 1999, and the By-Laws, filed via EDGAR (Accession No.
            0000893220-99-000977) as Exhibit (b) to the Registrant's Initial
            Registration Statement on August 17, 1999.


   (d)(1)   Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Commonfund
            Asset Management Company, Inc., is incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit (d) of the Registrant's Initial Registration Statement as
            filed via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220- 99-000977) on August 17,
            1999.


   (d)(2)   Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Wellington Management Company, LLP with respect to the Commonfund
            Short Duration Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(2)
            of the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the
            Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No.
            0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000.




   (d)(3)   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Western
            Asset Management Company with respect to the CIF Inflation-Indexed
            Bond Fund and CIF Core Plus Bond Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(4)   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Artisan
            Partners with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund, filed
            herewith.




                                       II

<PAGE>   97

   (d)(5)   Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Capital Guardian Trust Company with respect to the CIF International
            Equity Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(6)   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Capital
            Works Investment Partners with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth
            Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(7)   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Constitution Research & Management, LLC with respect to the CIF
            Small Cap Growth Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(8)   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            GlobeFlex Capital, L.P. with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth
            Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(9)   Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo with respect to the CIF International
            Equity Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(10)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and High
            Rock Capital LLC with respect to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund, filed
            herewith.



   (d)(11)  Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Iridian Asset Management LLC with respect to the CIF Core Equity
            Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(12)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and John A.
            Levin & Co., Inc. with respect to the CIF Core Equity Fund, filed
            herewith.



   (d)(13)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Marsico
            Capital Management LLC with respect to the CIF Core Equity Fund,
            filed herewith.



   (d)(14)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Martingale Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the CIF Small Cap
            Value Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(15)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Metropolitan West Asset Management with respect to the CIF Low
            Duration Bond Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(16)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Pacific
            Investment Management Company with respect to the CIF
            Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund and CIF Core Plus Bond Fund, filed
            herewith.



   (d)(17)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Seix
            Investment Advisors with respect to the CIF Low Duration Bond Fund,
            filed herewith.



   (d)(18)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Shapiro
            Capital Management Company, Inc. with respect to the CIF Small Cap
            Value Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(19)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Skyline
            Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund,
            filed herewith.



                                       III

<PAGE>   98

   (d)(20)  Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            State Street Global Advisors, Inc. with respect to the CIF Core
            Equity Fund, CIF Small Cap Growth Fund and CIF Small Cap Value Fund,
            filed herewith.



   (d)(21)  Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            TT International Investment Management with respect to the CIF
            International Equity Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(22)  Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Veredus
            Asset Management, LLC with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund,
            filed herewith.



   (d)(23)  Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            NorthPointe Capital, LLC with respect to the CIF Small Cap Value
            Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(24)  Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
            Advanced Investment Technology, Inc. with respect to the CIF Core
            Equity Fund, filed herewith.



   (d)(25)  Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Commonfund
            Asset Management Company, Inc., is incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit (d) of the Registrant's Initial Registration Statement as
            filed via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220- 99-000977) on August 17,
            1999.



   (e)      Form of Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Commonfund
            Securities, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) of the
            Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the
            Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No.
            0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000.


   (f)      Not applicable

   (g)      Form of Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Investors
            Bank &Trust Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) of
            the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the
            Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No.
            0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000.


   (h)(1)   Form of Administration Agreement between the Registrant and
            Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit (h)(1) of the Registrant's Pre- Effective Amendment No. 2 as
            filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
            (Accession No. 0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000.


   (h)(2)   Form of Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and
            Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit (h)(2) of the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as
            filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
            (Accession No. 0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000.

   (i)      Opinion and Consent of Counsel is filed herewith.


   (j)      Accountant's Consent is filed herewith.


   (k)      Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Commonfund Asset
            Management Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k) of
            the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the
            Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No.
            0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000.


                                       IV

<PAGE>   99
   (l)      Not applicable.

   (m)      Not applicable.

   (n)      Not applicable.

   (o)      Not applicable.


   (p)(1)   Code of Ethics for the Registrant, incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit (p)(1) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as
            filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
            (Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.



   (p)(2)   Code of Ethics for Commonfund Asset Management Company, Inc.,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of the Registrant's
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Securities and
            Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107)
            on September 29, 2000.



   (p)(3)   Code of Ethics for Wellington Management Company, LLP, filed
            herewith.



   (p)(4)   Code of Ethics for Western Asset Management Company, incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit (p)(4) of the Registrant's Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
            via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29,
            2000.



   (p)(5)   Code of Ethics for Artisan Partners, incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit (p)(5) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as
            filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
            (Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.



   (p)(6)   Code of Ethics for Capital Guardian Trust Company filed herewith.



   (p)(7)   Code of Ethics for Capital Works Investment Partners, filed
            herewith.



   (p)(8)   Code of Ethics for Constitution Research & Management, LLC, filed
            herewith.



   (p)(9)   Code of Ethics for GlobeFlex Capital, L.P., filed herewith.



   (p)(10)  Code of Ethics for Grantham, May, Van Otterloo, filed herewith.



   (p)(11)  Code of Ethics for High Rock Capital LLC, filed herewith.



   (p)(12)  Code of Ethics for Iridian Asset Management LLC, filed herewith.



   (p)(13)  Code of Ethics for John A. Levin & Co., Inc., incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit (p)(13) of the Registrant's Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
            via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29,
            2000.



   (p)(14)  Code of Ethics for Marsico Capital Management LLC, filed herewith.



                                        V

<PAGE>   100

   (p)(15)  Code of Ethics for Martingale Asset Management, L.P., filed
            herewith.



   (p)(16)  Code of Ethics for Metropolitan West Asset Management, filed
            herewith.



   (p)(17)  Code of Ethics for Pacific Investment Management Company, filed
            herewith.



   (p)(18)  Code of Ethics for Seix Investment Advisors, filed herewith.



   (p)(19)  Code of Ethics for Shapiro Capital Management Company, Inc., filed
            herewith.



   (p)(20)  Code of Ethics for Skyline Asset Management, L.P., filed herewith.



   (p)(21)  Code of Ethics for State Street Global Advisors, Inc., and Advanced
            Investment Technology, Inc., filed herewith.



   (p)(22)  Code of Ethics for TT International Investment Management, filed
            herewith.



   (p)(23)  Code of Ethics for Veredus Asset Management, filed herewith.



   (p)(24)  Code of Ethics for NorthPointe Capital, LLC, filed herewith.






   (p)(26)  Code of Ethics for Commonfund Securities, Inc., incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit (p)(24) of the Registrant's Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
            via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29,
            2000.



   (q)(1)   Powers of Attorney for Robert L. Bovinette, John B. Carroll, Louis
            W. Moelchert, Jr. and Jerald L. Stevens are incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit (q) of the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment
            No. 2 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
            (Accession No. 0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000 .



   (q)(2)   Power of Attorney for David M. Lascell, filed herewith.


Item 24.  Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the Fund

   Not applicable.

Item 25.  Indemnification

Article III, Section 8. of the Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit (a)(2) to
this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference.



   SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. If any Shareholder or former
Shareholder shall be exposed to liability by reason of a claim or demand
relating to his or her being or having been a Shareholder, and not because of
his or her acts or omissions, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or



                                       VI

<PAGE>   101
his or her heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives or
in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general
successor) shall be entitled to be held harmless from and indemnified out of the
assets of the Trust against all loss and expense arising from such claim or
demand, but only out of the assets held with respect to the particular Series or
Class of which such Person is or was a Shareholder and from or in relation to
which such liability arose.

Article XI of the By-Laws filed as Exhibit (b) to this Registration Statement is
incorporated herein by reference.


   SECTION 1. AGENTS, PROCEEDINGS, EXPENSES. For the purpose of this Article,
"agent" means any Person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or other
agent of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust
has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise; "proceeding" means any
threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including appeals); and
"expenses" includes, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments,
amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and all other liabilities
whatsoever.



   SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION. Subject to the exceptions and limitations
contained in Section 3 below, every agent shall be indemnified by the Trust to
the fullest extent permitted by law against all liabilities and against all
expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any
proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue
of his or her being or having been an agent.



   SECTION 3. LIMITATIONS, SETTLEMENTS. No indemnification shall be provided
hereunder to an agent:


   (a) who shall have been adjudicated by the court or other body before which
the proceeding was brought to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office (collectively,
"disabling conduct"); or

   (b) with respect to any proceeding disposed of (whether by settlement,
pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication by the court
or other body before which the proceeding was brought that such agent was liable
to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of disabling conduct, unless there
has been a determination that such agent did not engage in disabling conduct:

       (i) by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought;

       (ii) by at least a majority of those Directors who are neither Interested
Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the proceeding based upon a review of
readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or

       (iii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review
of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); provided,
however, that indemnification shall be provided hereunder to an agent with
respect to any proceeding in the event of (1) a final decision on the merits by
the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that the agent
was not liable by reason of disabling conduct, or (2) the dismissal of the
proceeding by the court or other body before which it


                                       VII

<PAGE>   102
was brought for insufficiency of evidence of any disabling conduct with which
such agent has been charged.


      SECTION 4. INSURANCE, RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE. The rights of indemnification
herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust on
behalf of any agent, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any
other rights to which any agent may now or hereafter be entitled and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any agent.



      SECTION 5. ADVANCE OF EXPENSES. Expenses incurred by an agent in
connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any proceeding
shall be paid by the Trust from time to time prior to final disposition thereof
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such agent that such amount
will be paid over by him or her to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that
he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Article XI; provided,
however, that (a) such agent shall have provided appropriate security for such
undertaking, (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such
advance payments or (c) either a majority of the Directors who are neither
Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the proceedings, or independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review
of readily available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full
investigation), that there is reason to believe that such agent will be found
entitled to indemnification under this Article XI.


      SECTION 6. FIDUCIARIES OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN. The Article does not
apply to any proceeding against any director, investment manager or other
fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in that person's capacity as such, even
though that person may also be an agent of this Trust as defined in Section 1 of
this Article. Nothing contained in this Article shall limit any right to
indemnification to which such director, investment manager, or other fiduciary
may be entitled by contract or otherwise which shall be enforceable to the
extent permitted by applicable law other than this Article.

Item 26. Business and other Connections of the Investment Adviser and
Sub-Advisers:

Other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in
which each director or principal officer of the Adviser is or has been, at any
time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his own or in the capacity of
director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:

COMMONFUND ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Commonfund Asset Management Company is the Investment Adviser for the
Registrant. Their principal business address is 15 Old Danbury Rd., P.O. Box
812, Wilton, CT, 06897-0812. Commonfund Asset Management Company is an
investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                         POSITION WITH OTHER
INVESTMENT ADVISER                      OTHER COMPANY                          COMPANY
------------------                      -------------                          -------
<S>                                   <C>                                      <C>
John W. Auchincloss
Secretary
</TABLE>




                                      VIII

<PAGE>   103

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>                                      <C>
MaryEllen Beaudreault
Senior Vice President-Fixed
Income

Robert L. Bovinette
Director and Chair

Howard Coonley, II
Director

James P. Feeney
Director of Compliance

Jeff Landle
Managing Director, Alternative
Investments

William Miller                          Chicago Mercantile Exchange            Director
Independent Risk Oversight Officer
                                        Association for Financial
                                        Professionals                          Director

                                        End-Users of Derivatives
                                        Association                            Chairman & Director

Todd Petzel
President and Chief Investment
Officer

Eben M. Riordan II
Senior Vice President, CFO

Elizabeth E. Schaefer
Senior Vice President-Fixed
Income

Curt R. Tobey
Senior Vice President-International
</TABLE>



ADVANCED INVESTMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.



AIT is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Core Equity Fund. Their principal business
address is 311 Park Place Boulevard, Suite 250, Clearwater, FL 33759. AIT is an
investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                               -------
<S>                                       <C>                                      <C>

Douglas William Case
President, Chief Investment Officer
</TABLE>



                                       IX

<PAGE>   104

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                                      <C>
Bryan Stypul
Chief Financial Officer

Alan Brown
Chief Investment Officer

Raymond Louis Killian
Chairman

Nicholas Lopardo
Investment Advisor Chief
Executive Officer

John Richard Snow
Managing Director

Marc Simons
Chief of Staff

Orhan Karaali
Director of Research

Dana Lee Vicander
Compliance Officer/Operations

Barry Evan Schneirov                       Eagle Asset Management                  Senior Vice President (1992-2000)
Managing Director of Marketing             St. Petersburg, FL
</TABLE>




ARTISAN PARTNERS, L.P.

Artisan Partners is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Their
principal business address is 1000 N. Water Street, Suite 1770, Milwaukee, WI
53202. Artisan Partners is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers
Act.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                  POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER            OTHER COMPANY                            COMPANY
          ------------------            -------------                           --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Andrew Arthur Ziegler
Chief Executive Officer

Carlene Murphy Ziegler
Portfolio Manager

Lawrence A. Totsky
Chief Financial Officer

Mark L. Yockey
Portfolio Manager

Andrew Craig Stephens
Portfolio Manager
</TABLE>



                                        X

<PAGE>   105
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Scott C. Satterwhite
Portfolio Manager

Marina T. Carlson                        Strong Capital Management, Inc.         Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Manager                        Menomenee Falls, WI
</TABLE>


CAPITAL GUARDIAN TRUST COMPANY


Capital Guardian Trust Company is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF International Equity
Fund. Their principal business address is 630 Fifth Ave., 36th Floor, New York,
NY 10111. Capital Guardian is an investment adviser registered under the
Advisers Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                  POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER            OTHER COMPANY                            COMPANY
          ------------------            -------------                            -------
<S>                                   <C>                                      <C>
David I. Fisher                         Capital Group International, Inc.
Chairman of the Board & Director
of the Capital Group Companies          Capital International S.A.

                                        Capital International K.K.

                                        Capital Group Research, Inc.

                                        Capital Research Company

                                        Capital International Research, Inc.
Hartmut Giesecke                        Capital International Research, Inc.   Senior Vice President and Director
Chairman of the Board of Capital
International K.K. & Managing           Capital International, Inc.            Senior Vice President and Director
Director, Asia-Pacific, Capital
Group International, Inc.

Richard N. Havas                        Capital International Research, Inc.   Senior Vice President and Director
Senior Vice President and Portfolio
Manager                                 Guardian (Canada), Inc.                Senior Vice President and Director

                                        Capital International Limited          Portfolio Manager

                                        Capital Guardian (Canada), Inc.        President and Director
Nancy J. Kyle
Sr. Vice President, Director and                         ----                                   ----
Executive Committee member of
CGTC
</TABLE>




                                       XI

<PAGE>   106

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                    <C>
Robert Ronus                            Capital International Research, Inc.   Senior Vice President
President and Director of CGTC
                                        Capital International S.A.

                                        Capital International Limited

Lionel M. Sauvage                       Capital International Research, Inc.   Vice President and Director
Vice President and Portfolio
Manager, CGTC
</TABLE>



CAPITAL WORKS INVESTMENT PARTNERS


Capital Works Investment Partners is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Growth
Fund. Their principal business address is 401 West A Street, Suite 1675, San
Diego, CA 92101. Capital Works is an investment adviser registered under the
Advisers Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                   <C>                                      <C>
John D. Wylie                           Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Funds         President (1996-1998)
Principal of Wylie Marshall             San Diego, CA
Company, LLC, 30% owner  of
CapitalWorks

John C. Marshall, Jr.                   Nicholas-Applegate Capital              Portfolio Manager (1989-1998)
Principal of Wylie Marshall             Management
Company, LLC, 30% owner  of             San Diego, CA
CapitalWorks

Mark J. Correnti                        Nicholas-Applegate Capital              Head of Global Marketing (1989-
Principal of Wylie Marshall             Management                              1999)
Company, LLC, 20% owner  of             San Diego, CA
CapitalWorks

Donovan T. Garcia                       William O'Neil & Co.                    Securities Analyst (1995-1998)
Principal of Wylie Marshall             Los Angeles, CA
Company, LLC, 20% owner  of
CapitalWorks
</TABLE>



CONSTITUTION RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT, LLC


Constitution Research is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Their
principal business address is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, MA
02116. Constitution Research is an investment adviser registered under the
Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                               -------
<S>                                            <C>                                      <C>

</TABLE>



                                       XII

<PAGE>   107

<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>                                      <C>

Wallace Windfield Wadman
Chairman

Richard Milner Drury
President

Ronald L. Cheney
Counsel
</TABLE>



GLOBEFLEX CAPITAL, L.P.


GlobeFlex Capital is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Their
principal business address is 4365 Executive Drive, Suite 720 San Diego, CA
92121. GlobeFlex Capital is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers
Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                             <C>                                      <C>
Robert James Anslw, Jr.
Chief Investment Officer

Marina Loretta Marrelli
Director, Client Services

John Eric Pihlblad
Portfolio Manager/Limited Partner

Cherrie L. St. Germain
Portfolio Manager

Eileen Delasandro
Limited Partner

Anellina Teresa Marelli
Limited Partner

Holly Melosi
Limited Partner

Elizabeth D. Pihlblad
Limited Partner
</TABLE>


GRANTHAM, MAYO, VAN OTTERLOO


GMO is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF International Equity Fund. Their principal
business address is 40 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110. GMO is an investment
adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




                                      XIII



<PAGE>   108

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                  POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                 OTHER COMPANY                           COMPANY
          ------------------                 -------------                           --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Robert Jeremy Grantham
Member

Richard Arthur Mayo
Member

Eky De Mol Van Otterloo
Member

John William Roseblum                   University of Richmond                  Dean, Jepson School
Chairman, GMO Board                     Richmond, VA

Christopher Darnell
Member and Investment Director

Jon Lewis Hagler
Member, Chairman, Governance
Committee

Paul Kerrison Woolley
Managing Director

Scott Evan Eston
Chairman, Management
Committee, Chief Financial Officer

Forrest Carlson Berkley
Member, Management Committee

Peter Robert Blum                       Salomon Brothers, Inc.                  Manager (1976-1998)
Member, Management Committee            Boston, MA

Arjun Bhagwan Divecha                   Dancing Elephant, Ltd.                  Principal
Principal

William Lloyd Nemerever
Member and Investment Director

Ann Mari Spruill
Member and Investment Director

Thomas Franklin Cooper
Member and Investment Director

Jui Lian Lai
Member and Investment Director

William Raymond Royer
General Counsel
</TABLE>




                                       XIV

<PAGE>   109
HIGH ROCK CAPITAL LLC


High Rock Capital is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Their
principal business address is 28 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. High Rock
Capital is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                       POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                   OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                   -------------                               -------
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
David L. Diamond                        High Rock Asset Management              President, Portfolio Manager
President, Portfolio Manager            LLC

Edward J. McDonald                      High Rock Asset Management              Vice President; Senior Equity
Vice President; Senior Equity           LLC                                     Trader
Trader

William Wiese III                       High Rock Asset Management              Vice President, Analyst, Portfolio
Vice President; Analyst; Portfolio      LLC                                     Manager
Manager

Timothy S. O'Toole                      High Rock Asset Management              Vice President, Analyst, Portfolio
Vice President, Analyst, Portfolio      LLC                                     Manager
Manager
</TABLE>




IRIDIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC


Iridian is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Core Equity Fund. Their principal business
address is 276 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880. Iridian is an investment
adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                  POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                    OTHER COMPANY                          COMPANY
          ------------------                    -------------                         --------
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
David Lawrence Cohen                    Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder             Portfolio Manager
Principal, Portfolio Manager            Advisers, Inc.
                                        New York, NY

Harold Jay Levy                         Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder             Portfolio Manager
Principal, Portfolio Manager            Advisers, Inc.
                                        New York, NY

Alice Blackmore Hicks
Executive Vice President

Jeffrey Mitchell Elliott
Executive Vice President, Chief
Operating Officer, Secretary
</TABLE>




                                       XV

<PAGE>   110
JOHN A. LEVIN & CO., INC.


John A. Levin is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Core Equity Fund. Their principal
business address is One Rockefeller Plaza, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10020. John
A. Levin is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Glenn Adam Algen                        BKF Capital Group, Inc.                 Senior Vice President & Chief
Senior Vice President & Chief           New York, NY                            Financial Officer
Financial Officer
                                        Levin Management Co., Inc.              Senior Vice President & Chief
                                        New York, NY                            Financial Officer

                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Senior Vice President & Chief
                                        New York, NY                            Financial Officer

Daniel Edward Aron                      Levin Management Co., Inc               Head Trader
Head Trader                             New York, NY

                                        LEVCO Securities, Inc.                  Head Trader
                                        New York, NY

                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Head Trader
                                        New York, NY

Joseph Ashley Austin                    Levin Management Co., Inc.              Senior Portfolio Manager &
Senior Portfolio Manager &              New York, NY                            Securities Analyst
Securities Analyst
                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities Analyst

Geoffrey I. Barton                      Levin Management Co., Inc.              Senior Portfolio Manager &
Senior Portfolio Manager &              New York, NY                            Securities Analyst
Securities Analyst
                                        LEVCO Securities, Inc.                  Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities Analyst

                                        LEVCO GP., Inc.                         Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities Analyst

Henry Loeb Levin                        Levin Management Co., Inc.              Senior Portfolio Manager &
Senior Portfolio Manager &              New York, NY                            Securities/Arbitrage Analyst
Securities/Arbitrage Analyst
                                        LEVOC GP, Inc.                          Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities/Arbitrage Analyst

John Andrew Levin                       Levin Management Co., Inc.              Chairman, President & Chief
Chairman, President & Chief             New York, NY                            Executive Officer;  Director
Executive Officer;  Director
                                        LEVCO Securities, Inc.                  Chairman, President & Chief
                                        New York, NY                            Executive Officer;  Director

                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Chairman, President & Chief
                                        New York, NY                            Executive Officer;  Director

                                        BKF Capital Group, Inc.                 Chairman, President & Chief
                                        New York, NY                            Executive Officer;  Director

John William Murphy                     Levin Management Co., Inc.              Senior Portfolio Manager &
Senior Portfolio Manager &              New York, NY                            Securities Analyst
Securities Analyst
                                        LEVCO Securities, Inc.                  Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities Analyst

                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities Analyst

Norris Nissim                           BKF Capital Group, Inc.                 Vice President & General Counsel
Vice President & General Counsel        New York, NY

                                        Levin Management Co., Inc.              Vice President & General Counsel
                                        New York, NY

                                        LEVCO Securities, Inc.                  Vice President & General Counsel
                                        New York, NY

                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Vice President & General Counsel
                                        New York, NY

Frank Fernando Rango                    Levin Management Co., Inc.              Senior Portfolio Manager &
Senior Portfolio Manager &              New York, NY                            Securities/Arbitrage Analyst
Securities/Arbitrage Analyst
                                        LEVCO Securities, Inc.                  Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities/Arbitrage Analyst

                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Senior Portfolio Manager &
                                        New York, NY                            Securities/Arbitrage Analyst

Gregory Todd Rogers                     BKF Capital Group, Inc.                 Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer                 New York, NY

                                        Levin Management Co., Inc.              Chief Operating Officer
                                        New York, NY

                                        LEVCO GP, Inc.                          Chief Operating Officer
                                        New York, NY
</TABLE>



MARSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC


Marsico Capital is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Core Equity Fund. Their principal
business address is 1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1300, Denver, CO 80202.
Marsico Capital is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                               <C>                                   <C>
Barbara Mellman Japha
President and General Counsel

Christopher James Marsico
Vice President/Chief Operating
Officer

Robert John Lojkovic
Executive Vice President and
Director of Marketing

Kathleen Anne Weber
Senior Trader

James Aquinas Hillary
Senior Analyst/Portfolio

Lisa Marie Brighton
Senior Trader
</TABLE>




MARTINGALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.


Martingale is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Their principal
business address is 222 Berkely Street, Boston, MA 02116. Martingale is an
investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                                <C>                                  <C>
Patricia J. O'Connor
Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer

Alan Jay Strassman
Chairman
</TABLE>




                                       XVI

<PAGE>   111

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Arnold Seton Wood
President, Portfolio Manager

William Edward Jacques
Executive Vice President, Portfolio
Manager

Douglas Evan Stark
Investment Research, Portfolio
Manager

Samuel Paul Nathans                     Miller Tabak & Hirsch, Co.              Portfolio Manager (1998-1999)
Senior Vice President, Portfolio        New York, NY
Manager

Paul Burik
Director

Mark B. Geist                           CMMAM, LLC                              President
Director
                                        Montgomery Asset Management,            Chief Executive Officer; President
                                        LLC                                     (1997-1999)
</TABLE>



METROPOLITAN WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT


Metropolitan West is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Low Duration Bond Fund. Their
principal business address is 11766 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025.
Metropolitan West is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
     INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
     ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                     <C>                                    <C>
Scott Brian Dubchansky                  Metropolitan West Securities            Managing Director; Portfolio
Managing Member; Chief                  Los Angeles, CA                         Manager
Executive Officer
                                        Metropolitan West Funds                 Chairman, President and Principal
                                        Los Angeles, CA                         Executive Officer

                                        PFPC Distributors, Inc.                 Registered Representative
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        First Date Distributors, Inc.           Registered Representative (1999)
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        FPS Broker Services, Inc.               Registered Representative (1997-
                                        Los Angeles, CA                         1999)
</TABLE>




                                      XVII

<PAGE>   112

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Laird Ridings Landmann                  Metropolitan West Funds                 Director
Managing Member; Portfolio              Los Angeles, CA
Manager
                                        PFPC Distributors, Inc.                 Registered Representative
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        Metropolitan West Securities            Portfolio Manager (1996-1998)
                                        Los Angeles, CA

Tad Rivelle                             PFPC Distributors, Inc.                 Registered Representative
Managing Member: Chief                  Los Angeles, CA
Investment Officer
                                        Metropolitan West Securities            Managing Director; Portfolio
                                        Los Angeles, CA                         Manager (1996-1998)

Stephen Michael Kane                    PFPC Distributors, Inc.                 Registered Representative
Portfolio Manager                       Los Angeles, CA

                                        Metropolitan West Securities            Portfolio Management (1996-1998)
                                        Los Angeles, CA

Brian Henghok Loo                       Metropolitan West Securities            Registered Representative;
Portfolio Manager/Analyst               Los Angeles, CA                         Analyst (1996-1998)

Richard Scott Hollander                 Metropolitan West Financial, Inc.       Chairman & Chief Executive
Director                                Los Angeles, CA                         Officer

                                        Metropolitan West Securities, Inc.      Chairman & Chief Executive
                                        Los Angeles, CA                         Officer; Registered Representative

                                        Metropolitan West Capital               Director
                                        Management, LLC
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        Metropolitan West Financial &           Chief Executive Officer
                                        Strategic Services, LLC
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        Metropolitan West Washington,           Chief Executive Officer (1998-
                                        DC, LLC                                 1999)
                                        Washington, DC
</TABLE>




                                      XVIII

<PAGE>   113

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Thomas William Hayes                    Metropolitan West Financial, Inc.       Director and President
Director                                Los Angeles, CA

                                        Metropolitan West Securities, Inc.      Director and President; Registered
                                        Los Angeles, CA                         Representative

                                        Metropolitan West Capital               Director
                                        Management, LLC
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        Metropolitan West Financial &           President
                                        Strategic Services, LLC
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        Metropolitan West Washington,           President (1998-1999)
                                        DC, LLC
                                        Washington, DC
</TABLE>




NORTHPOINTE CAPITAL, LLC



NorthPointe is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Their principal
business address is 201 West Big Beaver Road, Columbia Center One, 10th Floor,
Troy, MI 48084. NorthPointe is an investment adviser registered under the
Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
     INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
     ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Mark Raymond Thresher                   Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.     Senior Vice President, Finance
Chairman                                Columbus, OH

Joseph John Gasper                      Villanova Mutual Fund Capital           Vice-Chairman
Vice-Chairman                           Trust
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Villanova SA Capital Trust              Vice-Chairman
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Nationwide Financial Services Inc.      President/Chief Executive Officer
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.      President, Director
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Nationwide Life Insurance Company       President
                                        Columbus, OH
</TABLE>




                                       XIX

<PAGE>   114

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Paul James Hondros                      Villanova Mutual Fund Capital           President/Chief Executive Officer
President/Chief Executive Officer       Trust
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Villanova SA Capital Trust              President/Chief Executive Officer
                                        Columbus, OH

Kevin Stephen Crossett                  Nationwide Insurance                    Vice President/Associate General
Vice President/Associate General        Columbus, OH                            Counsel
Counsel

                                        Villanova Capital, Inc.                 Vice President/Associate General
                                        Columbus, OH                            Counsel

                                        Villanova Mutual Fund Capital           Vice President/Associate General
                                        Trust                                   Counsel
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Villanova SA Capital Trust              Vice President/Associate General
                                        Columbus, OH                            Counsel

Judy Lee Howard                         Nationwide Insurance/Villanova          Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, Chief Financial         Capital, Inc.
Officer/Treasurer                       Columbus, OH

William Howard Miller                   Villanova SA Capital Trust              Senior Portfolio Manager/Interim
Senior Vice President/Senior            Columbus, OH                            Chief Investment Officer
Portfolio Manager/ Chief
Investment Officer                      Villanova Mutual Fund Capital           Senior Portfolio Manager/Interim
                                        Trust                                   Chief Investment Officer
                                        Columbus, OH

Dennis William Click                    Villanova Mutual Fund Capital           Vice President/Secretary
Vice President/Secretary                Trust
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Villanova SA Capital Trust              Vice President/Secretary
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.      Vice President/Secretary
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Nationwide Insurance Enterprise         Senior Vice President/Secretary
                                        Columbus, OH

Glenn Warren Soden                      Nationwide Mutual Insurance             Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary                     Company
                                        Columbus, OH

                                        Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance        Assistant Secretary
                                        Company
                                        Columbus, OH
</TABLE>




                                       XX

<PAGE>   115

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Jeffrey Charles Petherick               Loomis, Sayles & Company, LLP           Vice President and Portfolio
Portfolio Manager                       Bloomfield Hills, MI                    Manager (1990-2000)

Mary Catherine Champagne                Loomis, Sayles & Company, LLP           Vice President and Portfolio
Portfolio Manager                       Bloomfield Hills, MI                    Manager (1993-2000)

Peter James Cahill                      Loomis, Sayles & Company, LLP           Quantitative Research (1997-2000)
Portfolio Manager/Research              Bloomfield Hills, MI
Analyst

Michael Patrick Hayden                  Loomis, Sayles & Company, LLP           Vice President (1996-2000)
Managing Director                       Bloomfield Hills, MI
</TABLE>




PACIFIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY


PIMCO is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund and CIF Core Plus
Bond Fund. Their principal business address is 840 Newport Beach, Newport Beach,
CA 92658. PIMCO is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
     INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
     ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Tamara Jean Arnold                      PICMO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Brian Paul Baker                        PIMCO Global Advisors PTE LTD           Director & Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President                   Singapore

                                        PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
                                        Stamford, CT

Leslie Ann Barbi                        PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Stephen Bradley Beaumont                PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President, Account Manager         Stamford, CT

                                        SBB Inc.                                Vice President (1995-1998)
                                        Los Angeles, CA

William Robert Benz II                  PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Committee                     Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Management Company                Director, Managing Director
                                                                                (1994-2000)
</TABLE>




                                       XXI

<PAGE>   116

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Vineer Bhansali                         Credit Suisse First Boston              Vice President, Fixed Income
Executive Vice President, Portfolio                                             Trading (1999-2000)
Management
                                        Salomon Brothers, Inc.                  Vice President - Proprietary Fixed
                                        New York, NY                            Income Trading (1998-1999)

Gregory Alan Bishop                     PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

John Brynjolfur Brynjolfsson
Executive Vice President

Robert Wesley Burns                     PIMCO Management, Inc.                  Managing Director
Managing Director
                                        PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment         President
                                        Management Series
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust          President and Trustee
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Multi-Manager Series              Executive Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Advisors Funds P.L.C.             Director
                                        Dublin, Ireland

                                        PIMCO Commercial Mortgage               President
                                        Securities Trust

Sabrina Clark Callin                    PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

Marcia Kathryn Clark                    PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

Cyrille Roger Conseil                   Moodys Investors Service                Vice President, Senior Analyst
Vice President, Credit Analyst          New York, NY                            (1992-1998)

Douglas Cummings                        PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

Wendy Woodward Cupps                    PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Craig Allen Dawson                      PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Account Manager                         Stamford, CT

Chris Pete Dialynas
Managing Director
</TABLE>




                                      XXII

<PAGE>   117

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Michael Gaffney Dow                     PIMCO Funds                             Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President
                                        PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
                                        Stamford, CT

Sandra Kay Durn                         PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

Jeri Ann Easterday                      PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Account Manager                         Stamford, CT

Arnold Benjamin C.D. Ehlert             PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Mohamed Aly El-Erian                    PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director                       Stamford, CT

                                        Salomon Smith Barney                    Managing Director (1998-1999)
                                        London, United Kingdom

Edward Lester Ellis                     Florida Progress Corporation            Manager, Investment Trusts (1999-
Account Manager                         St. Petersburg, FL                      2000)

                                        Florida Power Corporation               Senior Financial Analyst (1997-
                                        St. Petersburg, FL                      1999)

Bret William Estep                      Pacific Life Insurance Company          Product Analyst (1989-1998)
Account Manager, Vice President         Newport Beach, CA

Robert Alan Ettl
Executive Vice President

Joseph Arthur Fournier                  PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Account Manager                         Stamford, CT

Ursula Theresa Frisch                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

Stephen Scott Goldman                   The World Bank                          Financial Officer (1988-1999)
Account Manager, Vice President         Washington, D.C.

Gregory Scott Grabar                    Negen SI                                Chief Financial Officer (1997-
Account Manager                         Irvine, CA                              1999)
</TABLE>




                                      XXIII

<PAGE>   118

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
William Hunt Gross                      PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust          Senior Vice President
Managing Director                       Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Advisors L.P.                     Member: Management Board
                                        Management Board
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Senior Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        Stocksplus Management Inc.              Director and Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Management Inc                    Managing Director (1994-2000)
                                        Newport Beach, CA

John Lawrence Hague                     PIMCO Management Inc.                   Managing Director (1994-2000)
Managing Director                       Newport Beach, CA

Gordon Craig Hally                      PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Pasi Matti Hamalainen
Managing Director

Raymond Charles Hayes                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President

David Conrad Hinman                     PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

Douglas Michael Hodge                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Brent Lawrence Holden                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director                       Stamford, CT

Dwight Floyd Holloway, Jr.              PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Europe Ltd                        Registered Individual
                                        London, England

Mark Thomas Hudoff
Senior Vice President

Margaret Ellen Isberg                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director                       Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Senior Vice President
</TABLE>




                                      XXIV

<PAGE>   119

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Daniel John Ivascyn
Portfolio Manager; Vice President

Thomas Joseph Kelleher, III             PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President

James Marks Keller                      PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Raymond George Kennedy
Executive Vice President

Mark Richard Kiesel                     PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

Steven Paul Kirkbaumer                  PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust          Vice President
                                        Newport, Beach, CA

David Soonil Lee                        J.P. Morgan                             Intern (1998)
Analyst                                 New York, NY

John Sebastian Loftus                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director                       Stamford, CT

                                        Stockplus Management Inc.               Vice President & Assistant
                                        Newport Beach, CA                       Secretary

Daniel T. Ludwig                        PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Account Manager                         Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President

Andre Joseph Mallegol                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

Scott Worley Martin
Vice President

Scott Alan Mather                       PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Mark Vernon McCray                      Goldman Sachs                           Bond Trader (1992-1999)
Portfolio Manager; Senior Vice          New York, NY
President
</TABLE>




                                       XXV

<PAGE>   120

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                                     <C>
Paul Allen McCulley
Executive Vice President

Joseph Vicent McDevitt                  PIMCO Europe Ltd                        Director & Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President                London, England

Curtis Alan Mewbourne                   IINEA Technology                        President (1998-1999)
Vice President                          New  York, NY

John Mark Miller                        PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Account Manager                         Stamford, CT

Scott Alan Millimet
Vice President-Marketing/Account
Management

Gail Mitchell                           PIMCO Advisors, L.P.                    Manager, Investor Relations
Account Manager                         Newport Beach, CA

Jonathan David Moll                     Hewitt Associates                       Investment Consultant (1996-1998)
Vice President                          Lincolnshire, IL

Kristen Sue Monson                      PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

James Frederick Muzzy                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director                       Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust          Senior Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        Stocksplus Management, Inc.             Director and Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

Douglas John Ongaro                     PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President

Thomas John Otterbein                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Executive Vice President                Stamford, CT

Kumar Narayan Palghat
Senior Vice President

Richard Howard Palmer                   PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Account Manager                         Stamford, CT
</TABLE>




                                      XXVI

<PAGE>   121

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Elizabeth Marie Philipp                 PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

David Jerome Pittman                    PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

William Frederick Podlich III           PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director                       Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Management Inc.                   Director, Managing Director
                                        Newport Beach, CA                       (1994-200)

                                        PIMCO Commercial Mortgage               Vice President (1993-1999)
                                        Securities Trust
                                        Newport Beach, CA

William Charles Powers                  PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director, Executive            Stamford, CT
Committee
                                        PIMCO Commercial Mortgage               Senior Vice President
                                        Securities Trust
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Management Inc.                   Director, Managing Director
                                        Newport Beach, CA                       (1994-2000)

Marcy Beth Rappaport
Account Manager

Mark Anthony Romano                     PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

Scott Leigh Roney                       PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Japan Ltd                         Director

Seth Randall Ruthen                     PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

Ernest Lee Schmider
Managing Director
</TABLE>




                                      XXVII

<PAGE>   122

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Lelan Tait Scholey                      PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Senior Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

Iwona Elzbieta Scihisz                  PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

William Scott Simon                     Bear Stearns                            Senior Managing Director
Executive Vice President                New York, NY

Christopher Paul Sullivan               PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Senior Vice President                   Stamford, CT

Kyle James Theodore                     PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

                                        Spelling Entertainment                  Manager-Finance (1998)
                                        Los Angeles, CA

                                        Walt Disney                             Senior Financial Analyst (1996-
                                        Burbank, CA                             1998)

Lee Rawlings Thomas, III                PIMCO Management Inc.                   Director, Managing Director
Managing Director                       Newport Beach, CA                       (1995-2000)

William Samuel Thompson, Jr.            PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Managing Director & Chief               Stamford, CT
Executive Officer, Executive
Committee                               Stocksplus Management Inc.              Director & President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Management Inc.                   Director, Managing Director and
                                        Newport Beach, CA                       CEO (1994-2000)

                                        PIMCO Funds                             Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Commercial Mortgage               Vice President
                                        Securities Trust
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust          Senior Vice President
                                        Newport Beach, CA

Powell Christopher Thurston             PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Account Manager                         Stamford, CT
</TABLE>



                                     XXVIII

<PAGE>   123

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Richard MacCoy Weil                     PIMCO Advisors L.P.                     Managing Director, General
Chief Operating Officer                 Newport Beach, CA                       Counsel (1996-2000)

                                        Value Advisors LLC                      Managing Director (1997-2000)
                                        Newport Beach, CA

                                        Oppenheimer Capital/OpCap               Managing Director (2000)
                                        Advisors
                                        New York, NY

David Young                             PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC            Registered Representative
Vice President                          Stamford, CT

Changhong Zhu                           Bank of America                         Swaps Trading Manager (1994-
Portfolio Management; Senior Vice       Reno, NV                                1999)
President
</TABLE>



SEIX INVESTMENT ADVISORS


Seix Investment is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Low Duration Bond Fund. Their
principal business address is 300 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675. Seix
Investment is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Christina Seix                          Fordham University                      Trustee
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,      Bronx, NY
Chief Investment Officer,
Managing Director

John G. Talty
President

Peter J. Bourke
Treasurer and Chief Operating
Officer

Barbara Hoffmann
Managing Director, Senior
Portfolio Manager

Michael L. McEachern
Senior Portfolio Manager

Joseph F. Calabrese
Senior Portfolio Manager

Robert Ira Sherman
Marketing Director
</TABLE>



                                      XXIX

<PAGE>   124

<TABLE>

<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Carla Pisciotta
Director of Marketing and Client
Services, Western Region

Ellen P. Welsh
Client Service Manager

Mary C. Walsh
Client Service Manager

Samuel J. Zona, Jr.                     Daiwa International Capital             Client Service (1995-1998)
Client Service/Marketing                Management
                                        New York, NY
</TABLE>



SHAPIRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.

Shapiro Capital is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Their
principal business address is 3060 Peachtree Rd. NW, Suite 1555, Atlanta, GA
30305. Shapiro Capital is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers
Act.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Michael Alexander McCarthy
Portfolio Manager

Louis Steven Shapiro
Management

Samuel Robert Shapiro
Management
</TABLE>


SKYLINE ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.


Skyline is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Value Fund. Their principal
business address is 311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4500, Chicago, IL 60606.
Skyline is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                               -------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
William Manderville Dutton
Chief Executive Officer/Limited
Partner

Kenneth Scott Kailin
Principal/Portfolio Manager/
Limited Partner
</TABLE>



                                       XXX

<PAGE>   125

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Geoffrey Peter Lutz
Principal-Marketing/Limited
Partner

Michele Marie Brennan
Director of Fund Marketing
</TABLE>


STATE STREET GLOBAL ADVISORS, INC.


State Street is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Core Equity Fund, CIF Small Cap Growth
Fund, CIF Small Cap Value Fund and CIF International Equity Fund. Their
principal business address is One International Place, Boston, MA 02110. State
Street is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
  NAME AND POSITION WITH INVESTMENT                                                    POSITION WITH OTHER
                ADVISER                             OTHER COMPANY                             COMPANY
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                                   <C>
Tenley E. Albright, MD                   Western Resources, Inc.               Chairman
Director                                 Boston, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
I. MacAllister Booth                     Polaroid Corporation                  Chairman, President & CEO (retired)
Director                                 Concord, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Marshall N. Carter                       State Street Corporation              Chairman
Chairman                                 Boston, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
James I. Cash, Jr.                       Harvard Business School               James E. Robinson Professor of
Director                                 Boston, MA                            Business Administration
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Truman S. Casner                         Ropes & Gray                          Partner
Director                                 Boston, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Nader F. Darehshori                      Houghton Mifflin Company              Chairman, President & CEO
Director                                 Boston, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Arthur L. Goldstein                      Ionics, Inc.                          Chairman and CEO
Director                                 Watertown, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
David P. Gruber                          Wyman-Gordon Company                  Chairman and CEO (retired)
Director                                 North Grafton, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
John M. Kucharski                        EG&G, Inc.                            Chairman and CEO (retired)
Director                                 Wellesley, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Charles R. LaMantia                      Arthur D. Little, Inc.                Chairman and CEO (retired)
Director                                 Cambridge, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Ronald E. Logue                          State Street Corporation              Vice Chairman and Chief Operating
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating        Boston, MA                            Officer
Officer
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Nicholas A. Lopardo
Vice Chairman and CEO; Director
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Dennis J. Picard                         Raytheon Company                      Chairman Emeritus
Director                                 Lexington, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Bernard W. Reznicek                      Central States Indemnity Company of   National Director - Utility
Director                                 Omaha                                 Marketing
                                         Omaha, NE
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Richard P. Sergel                        National Grid U.S.A                   President and CEO
Director                                 Westborough, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
David A. Spina                           State Street Corporation              President and Chief Executive
President and Chief Executive Officer    Boston, MA                            Officer
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Diana Chapman Walsh                      Wellesley College                     President
Director                                 Wellesley, MA
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Robert E. Weissman                       IMS Health                            Chairman, Executive Committee
Director                                 Westport, CT
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
</TABLE>


TT INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT


TT International is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF International Equity Fund. Their
principal business address is Martin House, 5 Martin Lane, London, EC4R ODP,
England. TT International is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers
Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Timothy Alexander Tacchi
Investment Manager, Partner

Alexander Stewart Malcolm
Carswell
Financial Controller, Partner

James Elliott Tonner
Investment Management Partner

Mark Stephen Williams
Partner

David John Stuart Burnett
Managing Partner

Henry Ward Bedford II                   Moore Capital Management                Portfolio Manager (1996-1999)
Partner, Head of Trading                London, England

John David Hobson                       Warburg Dillon Read                     Equity Syndication, proprietary
Investment Manager Partner              London, England                         trading (1986-1998)

Lawrence Smith
Investment Management Partner
</TABLE>



                                      XXXI

<PAGE>   126

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Michael Bullock                         Morgan Grenfall Asset                   Group Managing Director, Chief
Partner, Country Selection              Management                              Investment Officer (1990-1998)
                                        London, England

Martin Anthony Farrow Shenfield
Partner, Head of Far East Desk
</TABLE>



VEREDUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC


Veredus is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund. Their principal
business address is 6060 Dutchmans Lane, Suite 320, Louisville, KY 40205.
Veredus is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                           POSITION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                        OTHER COMPANY                               COMPANY
          ------------------                        -------------                              --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Bruce Anthony Weber                     SMC Capital, Inc.                       Vice President (1992-1998),
President & Chief Investment            Louisville, KY                          President (1993-1998).
Officer

Stuart Douglas Bilton                   Montag & Caldwell, Inc.                 Director
Director                                Atlanta, GA

                                        Chicago Title & Trust                   Head of Investment Business
                                        Chicago, IL

Jefferson W. Kirby                      Alleghany Corop                         Vice President
Vice President                          New York, NY

Charles Patrick McCurdy, Jr.            SMC Capital, Inc.                       Director of Research (1994-1998)
Executive Vice President, Portfolio     Louisville, KY
Manager

John Stephen Poole                      SMC Capital, Inc.                       Vice President (1994-1998)
Vice President of Business              Louisville, KY
Developement

James Raymond Jenkins                   Shelby County Trust Bank                Trust Officer (1993-1998)
Vice President, Chief Operating         Louisville, KY
Officer

Charles Francis Mercer, Jr.             SMC Capital, Inc.                       Research Analyst (1996-1998)
Director of Research, Vice              Louisville, KY
President
</TABLE>




WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLP



                                      XXXII

<PAGE>   127

Wellington Management is a Sub-Adviser for the CIF Short Duration Fund. Their
principal business address is 75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. Wellington
Management is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                          CONNECTION WITH OTHER
          INVESTMENT ADVISER                    NAME OF OTHER COMPANY                              COMPANY
          ------------------                    ---------------------                              -------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Kenneth Lee Abrams
  General Partner

Nicholas Charles Adams
  General Partner

Rand Lawrence Alexander
  General Partner

Deborah Louise Allison
  General Partner

James Halsey Averill
  General Partner

Karl E. Bandtel
  General Partner

Marie-Claude Petit Bernal
  General Partner

William Nicholas Booth
  General Partner

Paul Braverman                          Wellington International                Director
  General Partner                       Management Company Pte Ltd.

                                        Wellington Management                   Partner and Chief Financial Officer
                                        International

                                        Wellington Trust Company, NA            Treasurer/Cashier

Robert A. Bruno
  General Partner

Maryann E. Carroll
  General Partner

Pamela Dippel
  General Partner

Charles Townsend Freeman
  General Partner
</TABLE>



                                      XXXIII

<PAGE>   128

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Laurie Allen Gabriel
  General Partner

Frank Joseph Gilday, III
  General Partner

John Herrick Gooch                      Wellington Management                   Partner
  General Partner                       International

                                        Wellington Trust Company, NA            Director & Vice President

Nicholas Peter Greville                 Wellington International                Director
  General Partner                       Management Company Pte Ltd.
                                                                                Partner
                                        Wellington Management
                                        International
Paul J. Hammel
  General Partner

Lucius T. Hill III
  General Partner

Paul David Kaplan
  General Partner

John Charles Keogh
  General Partner

George Cabot Lodge, Jr.
  General Partner

Nancy T. Lukitsh                        Wellington Trust Company, NA            Director & Vice President
  General Partner

Mark T. Lynch
  General Partner

Christine Smith Manfredi
  General Partner

Patrick John McCloskey
  General Partner

Earl Edward McEvoy
  General Partner
</TABLE>



                                      XXXIV

<PAGE>   129

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Duncan Mathieu McFarland                Wellington International                Director
  General Partner                       Management Company Pte Ltd.

                                        Wellington Management                   Partner
                                        International

                                        Wellington Trust Company, NA            Director, Chairman of the Board
                                                                                and the Executive Committee
Paul Mulford Mecray, III
  General Partner

Matthew Edward Megargel
  General Partner

James Nelson Mordy
  General Partner

Diane Carol Nordin
  General Partner

Stephen T. O'Brien
  General Partner

Edward Paul Owens
  General Partner

Saul Joseph Pannell
  General Partner

Thomas Louis Pappas
  General Partner

Jonathan Martin Payson                  Wellington Trust Company, NA            Director & President
  General Partner

Stephen Michael Pazuk                   Wellington International                Director
  General Partner                       Management Company Pte Ltd.

                                        Wellington Management                   Retired as Partner on August 1,
                                        International                           1999.

Robert Douglas Rands
  General Partner

Eugene Edward Record, Jr.
General Partner

James Albert Rullo
 General Partner

John Robert Ryan
General Partner
</TABLE>



                                      XXXV

<PAGE>   130

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Joseph Harold Schwartz
General Partner

Theodore Shasta
 General Partner

Binkley Calhoun Shorts
 General Partner

Trond Skramstad
General Partner

Catherine Anne Smith
 General Partner

Stephen Albert Soderberg
 General Partner

Brendan James Swords
General Partner

Harriett Tee Taggart
General Partner

Perry Marques Traquina
General Partner

Gene Roger Tremblay
General Partner

Michael A. Tyler
General Partner

Mary Ann Tynan                          Wellington Management                   Partner
General Partner                         International

                                        Wellington Trust Company, NA            Trust Officer, Vice President
Clare Villari
 General Partner

Ernst Hans von Metzsch
 General Partner

James Leland Walters                    Wellington International                Director
  General Partner                       Management Company Pte Ltd.

                                        Wellington Trust Company, NA            Director, Senior Trust Officer &
                                                                                Trust Counsel

Kim Williams
  General Partner

Francis Vincent Wisneski, Jr.
  General Partner
</TABLE>



                                     XXXVI

<PAGE>   131
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Western Asset Management is a Sub-Adviser for the Commonfund Short Duration
Fund, CIF Inflation-Indexed Bond Fund and CIF Core Plus Bond Fund. Their
principal business address is 117 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105. Western
Asset Management is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME AND POSITION WITH                                                                  CONNECTION WITH OTHER
INVESTMENT ADVISER                                  OTHER COMPANY                              COMPANY
------------------                                 ---------------                            --------
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Bruce Daniel Alberts                    Southbrook Corporation                  Vice President-Finance (1993-
Chief Financial Officer                 Beverly Hills, CA                       1999).

Joseph Gibson Cooper                    Franklin/Templeton Distributors,        Assistant Portfolio Manager (1994-
Portfolio Manager                       Inc.                                    1998).
                                        San Mateo, CA

Carl L. Eichstaedt
Portfolio Manager

Keith J. Gardner
Portfolio Manager

Scott F. Grannis
Director & Economist

Ilene Schiowitz Harker
Director of Compliance and
Controls

James W. Hirschmann III
Chief Executive Officer

Stephen K. Leech
Director & CIO

William C. Livingston
Director & CEO

Raymond A. Mason                        Legg Mason, Inc.                        Chairman, President & CEO
Non-Employee Director
                                        Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc.            Chairman, President & CEO

Ronald D. Mass
Director of Analytics/Risk
Management

Edward A. Moody
Director & Sr. Portfolio Manager

James V. Nelson
Director of  Research
</TABLE>



                                      XXXVII

<PAGE>   132

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
Timothy Charles Scheve                  Legg Mason Wood Walker                  Executive Vice President & Chief
Non-Employee Director                   Baltimore, MD                           Administrative Officer

Elisabeth Nurick Spector                Legg Mason, Inc.                        Senior Vice President
Non-Employee Director

                                        Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc.            Senior Vice President

Edward A. Taber III                     Legg Mason, Inc.                        Sr. Exec VP & Investment
Non-Employee  Director                                                          Management

                                        Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc.            Director & Sr. Executive Vice
                                                                                President
Jeffrey D. Van Schaick
Director of Research

Stephen A. Walsh
Director of Portfolio Management
</TABLE>


Item 27.  Principal Underwriters

   Not applicable.

Item 28.  Location of Accounts and Records

   Books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules promulgated thereunder, are
maintained as follows:

   (a) With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1); (2)(a) and (b); (3); (6);
(8); (12); and 31a-1(d), the required books and records will be maintained at
the offices of Registrant's Adviser, Sub-Advisers and Custodian:

   ADVISER:
      Commonfund Asset Management Company
      15 Old Danbury Rd.
      P.O. Box 812
      Wilton, CT, 06897-0812


   SUB-ADVISERS:


      Advanced Investment Technology, Inc.
      311 Park Place Boulevard, Suite 250
      Clearwater, FL 33759



      Artisan Partners
      1000 N. Water Street
      Suite 1770
      Milwaukee, WI 53202



                                     XXXVIII

<PAGE>   133

      Capital Guardian Trust Company
      630 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor
      New York, NY 10111



      Capital Works Investment Partners
      401 West A Street, Suite 1770
      San Diego, CA 92101


      Constitution Research & Management, LLC
      One Financial Center, 23rd Floor
      Boston, MA 02111


      GlobeFlex Capital, L.P.
      4365 Executive Drive, Suite 720
      San Diego, CA 92121


      Grantham, May, Van Otterloo & Co., LLC
      40 Rowes Wharf
      Boston, MA 02110


      High Rock Capital LLC
      28 State Street
      Boston, MA 02109

      Iridian Asset Management LLC
      276 Post Road West
      Westport, CT 06880

      John A. Levin & Co., Inc.
      One Rockefeller Plaza, 25th Floor
      New York, NY 10020

      Marsico Capital Management LLC
      1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1300
      Denver, CO 80202

      Martingale Asset Management, L.P.
      222 Berkley Street
      Boston, MA 02116


      Metropolitan West Asset Management
      11766 Wilshire Blvd.
      Los Angeles, CA 90025



      NorthPointe Capital, LLC
      201 West Big Beaver Road




                                     XXXVIX

<PAGE>   134

      Columbia Center One, 10th Floor, Suite 1000
      Troy, MI 48084


      Pacific Investment Management Company
      840 Newport Beach
      Newport Beach, CA 92658

      Seix Investment Advisors
      300 Tice Boulevard
      Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675

      Shapiro Capital Management Company, Inc.
      One Buckhead Plaza, Suite 650
      3060 Peachtree Rd, NW
      Atlanta, GA 30305


      Skyline Asset Management, L.P.
      311 South Wacker Dr., Suite 4500
      Chicago, IL 60606



      State Street Global Advisors, Inc.
      One International Place
      Boston, MA 02110


      TT International Investment Management
      Martin House
      5 Martin Lane
      London, EC4R ODP
      England

      Veredus Asset Management, LLC
      6060 Dutchmans Lane, Suite 320
      Louisville, KY 40205


      Wellington Management Company, LLP
      75 State Street
      Boston, MA 02109


      Western Asset Management Company
      117 E. Colorado Blvd.
      Pasadena, CA, 91105

   CUSTODIAN:
      Investors Bank & Trust Company
      200 Clarendon Street
      Boston, Massachusetts, 02116


                                      XL

<PAGE>   135
Item 29.  Management Services

   Not applicable

Item 30.  Undertakings

   Not applicable


                                      XLI

<PAGE>   136
                                   SIGNATURES


           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets the
requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this
Registration Statement and certifies that it has duly caused this Post-Effective
Amendment (File No. 333-85415) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wilton, State of Connecticut on this
12th day of December, 2000


                                        Commonfund Institutional Funds


                                        By:/s/ Robert L. Bovinette
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Robert L. Bovinette
                                           President and Director



           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacity on the dates indicated.



<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                     <C>
By:/s/ Robert L. Bovinette                 President and Director                December 12, 2000
   -------------------------------
      Robert L. Bovinette

By:              *                         Director                              December 12, 2000
   -------------------------------
      John B. Carroll

By:              *                         Director                              December 12, 2000
   ---------------------------------
      Louis M. Moelchert, Jr.


By:               *                        Director                              December 12, 2000
     -------------------------------
       David M. Lascell


By:            *                           Director                              December 12, 2000
     -----------------------------
       Jerald L. Stevens


By:/s/ Marita K. Wein                      Chief Financial Officer               December 12, 2000
   -------------------------------
        Marita K. Wein

*By:/s/ Robert L. Bovinette
   -------------------------------
  Robert L. Bovinette, Attorney-in-Fact
  pursuant to Powers of Attorney
</TABLE>



                                      XLII

<PAGE>   137
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME                                                                               EXHIBIT PAGE
----                                                                               ------------
<S>                                                                                <C>
Certificate of Trust of the Registrant, dated August 12, 1999                      B(a)(1)
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit a(1) of the Initial Registration
Statement filed August 17, 1999).

Declaration of Trust of Commonfund Institutional Funds dated August 7,             B(a)(2)
1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit a(2) of the Initial
Registration Statement filed August 17, 1999).

By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of      B(b)
the Initial Registration Statement filed August 17, 1999).

Investment Advisory Agreement between Commonfund      Institutional                B(d)(1)
Funds and Commonfund Asset Management Company (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (d) of the Initial Registration Statement filed August 17,
1999).

Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and               B(d)(2)
Wellington Management Company, LLP with respect to the Commonfund
Short Duration Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of the
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-
000041) on January 18, 2000.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Western               EX-99.B(d)(3)
Asset Management Company, filed herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Artisan               EX-99.B(d)(4)
Partners with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund, filed herewith.

Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Capital       EX-99.B(d)(5)
Guardian Trust Company with respect to the CIF International Equity Fund,
filed herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Capital               EX-99.B(d)(6)
Works Investment Partners with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth
Fund, filed herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and                       EX-99.B(d)(7)
Constitution Research & Management, LLC with respect to the CIF Small
Cap Growth Fund, filed herewith.
</TABLE>



                                     XLIII

<PAGE>   138

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and GlobeFlex             EX-99.B(d)(8)
Capital, L.P. with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund, filed
herewith.


Form of Investment Sub-Adivsory Agreement between the Registrant and Grantham,     EX-99.B(d)(9)
Mayo, Van Otterloo with respect to the CIF International Equity Fund, filed
herewith.



Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and High Rock             EX-99.B(d)(10)
Capital LLC with respect to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund, filed herewith.



Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Iridian       EX-99.B(d)(11)
Asset Management LLC with respect to the CIF Core Equity Fund, filed
herewith.



Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and John A.               EX-99.B(d)(12)
Levin & Co., Inc. with respect to the CIF Core Equity Fund, filed
herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Marsico               EX-99.B(d)(13)
Capital Management LLC with respect to the CIF Core Equity Fund, filed
herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Martingale            EX-99.B(d)(14)
Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund,
filed herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and                       EX-99.B(d)(15)
Metropolitan West Asset Management with respect to the CIF Low
Duration Bond Fund, filed herewith.



Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Pacific       EX-99.B(d)(16)
Investment Management Company with respect to the CIF Inflation-Indexed
Bond Fund and CIF Core Plus Bond Fund, filed herewith.



Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Seix                  EX-99.B(d)(17)
Investment Advisors with respect to the CIF Low Duration Bond Fund,
filed herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Shapiro               EX-99.B(d)(18)
Capital Management Company, Inc. with respect to the CIF Small Cap
Value Fund, filed herewith.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Skyline               EX-99.B(d)(19)
Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund,
filed herewith.



Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and State         EX-99.B(d)(20)
Street Global Advisors, Inc. with respect to the CIF Core Equity Fund,
CIF Small Cap Growth Fund and CIF Small Cap Value Fund, filed herewith.



Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and TT            EX-99.B(d)(21)
International Investment Management with respect to the CIF International
Equity Fund, filed herewith.


</TABLE>

                                      XLIV

<PAGE>   139

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                <C>
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Veredus               EX-99.B(d)(22)
Asset Management, LLC with respect to the CIF Small Cap Growth Fund,
filed herewith.

Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and               EX-99.B(d)(23)
NorthPointe Capital, LLC with respect to the CIF Small Cap Value Fund,
filed herewith

Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Advanced      EX-99.B(d)(24)
Investment Technology, Inc. with respect to the CIF Core Equity Fund, filed
herewith.

Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and               B(d)(25)
Western Asset Management Company with respect to the Commonfund
Short Duration Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of the
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-
000041) on January 18, 2000.

Form of Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Commonfund               B(e)
Securities, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) of the Registrant's
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-000041) on
January 18, 2000.

Form of Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Investors Bank &            B(g)
Trust Company incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) of the Registrant's
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-000041) on
January 18, 2000.

Form of Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Investors              B(h)(1)
Bank & Trust Company incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of the
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-
000041) on January 18, 2000.

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Investors             B(h)(2)
Bank & Trust Company incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of the
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No. 0000893220-00-
000041) on January 18, 2000.

Opinion and Consent of Counsel, filed herewith                                     EX-99.B(i)

Consent of Independent Auditors, filed herewith.                                   EX-99.B(j)

Code of Ethics for Commonfund Institutional Funds, incorporated by                 B(p)(1)
reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
(Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.

Code of Ethics for Commonfund Asset Management Company, incorporated               B(p)(2)
by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment
No. 1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
(Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.

Code of Ethics for Wellington Management Company, LLP, filed herewith.             EX-99.B(p)(3)
</TABLE>



                                      XLV

<PAGE>   140

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Code of Ethics for Western Asset Management Company incorporated by                B(p)(4)
reference to Exhibit (p)(4) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR
(Accession No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.

Code of Ethics for Artisan Partners,incorporated by reference to Exhibit           B(p)(5)
(p)(5) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No.
0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.

Code of Ethics for Capital Guardian Trust Company,  filed herewith.                EX-99.B(p)(6)

Code of Ethics for Capital Works Investment Partners, filed herewith.              EX-99.BB(p)(7)

Code of Ethics for Constitution Research & Management, LLC, filed                  EX-99.B(p)(8)
herewith.

Code of Ethics for GlobeFlex Capital, L.P., filed herewith.                        EX-99.B(p)(9)

Code of Ethics for Grantham, May, Van Otterloo, filed herewith.                    EX-99.B(p)(10)

Code of Ethics for High Rock Capital LLC, filed herewith.                          EX-99.B(p)(11)

Code of Ethics for Iridian Asset Management LLC, filed herewith.                   EX-99.B(p)(12)

Code of Ethics for John A. Levin & Co., Inc.,incorporated by reference to          B(p)(13)
Exhibit (p)(13) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No.
0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.

Code of Ethics for Marsico Capital Management LLC, filed herewith.                 EX-99.B(p)(14)

Code of Ethics for Martingale Asset Management, L.P., filed herewith.              EX-99.B(p)(15)

Code of Ethics for Metropolitan West Asset Management, filed herewith.             EX-99.B(p)(16)

Code of Ethics for Pacific Investment Management Company, filed                    EX-99.B(p)(17)
herewith.

Code of Ethics for Seix Investment Advisors, filed herewith.                       EX-99.B(p)(18)

Code of Ethics for Shapiro Capital Management Company, Inc., filed                 EX-99.B(p)(19)
herewith.

Code of Ethics for Skyline Asset Management, L.P., filed herewith.                 EX-99.B(p)(20)

Code of Ethics for State Street Global Advisors, Inc., and Advanced                EX-99.B(p)(21)
Investment Technology, Inc., filed herewith.

Code of Ethics for TT International Investment Management, filed herewith.         EX-99.B(p)(22)

Code of Ethics for Veredus Asset Management, filed herewith.                       EX-99.B(p)(23)

Code of Ethics for NorthPointe Capital, LLC, filed herewith                        EX-99.B(p)(24)
</TABLE>



                                      XLVI

<PAGE>   141

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Code of Ethics for Commonfund Securities, Inc., incorporated by reference          B(p)(25)
to Exhibit (p)(24) of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession
No. 0000893220-00-001107) on September 29, 2000.

Powers of Attorney for Robert L. Bovinette,  John B. Carroll, Jerald L.            B(q)(1)
Stevens and Louis M. Moelchert, Jr. incorporated by reference to Exhibit (q)
of the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR (Accession No.
0000893220-00-000041) on January 18, 2000.

Power of Attorney for David M. Laschell, filed herewith.                           EX-99.B(q)(2)
</TABLE>



                                     XLVII




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