written by khatabook | December 8, 2022

A Detailed Note on the Concept of Corpus Funds

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Table of Content


A corpus fund is a type of investment fund comprised of a collection of investments managed as a single entity. The individual investments in the fund are known as corpus, and a team of investment professionals manages the fund. A corpus fund aims to provide investors with a diversified portfolio of investments, which can offer a higher return than a traditional investment fund. Corpus funds are typically used by institutional investors, such as pension funds and insurance companies, but they are also available to retail investors.

Did You Know? The University of Oxford established the first Corpus Fund in 1571 to assist the university's teaching and research, which is functional to date. The fund is made up of money provided by individuals, businesses, and other organisations and money invested by the university.

What is Corpus Fund?

A corpus fund is a type of investment fund that invests in a portfolio of securities, typically bonds, and aims to provide investors with a steady income. The fund's portfolio is managed in a way that seeks to minimise risk and maximise return while providing investors with a degree of liquidity. The fund is named after the Latin word for "body", which is used to describe a group of securities. The word "corpus" is also used to refer to the principal amount of a loan. 

Corpus funds are also known as fixed-income funds or bond funds. They are a popular choice for investors looking for a relatively low-risk investment. The fund's portfolio is diversified, which means that it is invested in several different securities, which can help reduce risk. Corpus funds typically have a lower return than other investment funds, such as equity funds. However, they can provide investors with stability and peace of mind. If you are considering investing in a corpus fund, speaking to a financial advisor is essential to ensure it is the right choice.

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Sources of Corpus fund

Corpus fund refers to the funds available to a company or organisation for carrying out its activities. The corpus fund may come from different sources, such as shareholders, donors, or the government.

  • Shareholders are the owners of a company, and their investment provides the primary source of corpus funds for most companies. The shareholders may be individuals, institutions, or other companies.
  • Donations can be a significant source of corpus funds for some organisations, primarily non-profit or charitable. Donations may come from individuals, businesses, or other organisations.
  • The government can also be a source of corpus funds for some companies, especially those involved in public projects or considered to be of strategic importance to the country.

Corpus fund is essential for companies and organisations as it allows them to carry out their activities and achieve their objectives. The sources of corpus funds can vary depending on the type of company or organisation, but the primary sources are usually shareholders, donors, or the government.

Uses of Corpus fund

A corpus fund is money set aside for a specific purpose. The money in a corpus fund is usually invested, and the earnings from the investment are used to fund the specified purpose.

There are many different uses for corpus funds, and some common examples include funding scholarships, educational programs, and charitable causes.

  • One of the significant benefits of using a corpus fund is that it can provide a steady source of funding for the specified purpose. This is especially important for causes that require ongoing support, such as scholarships or educational programs.
  • Another benefit of corpus funds is that they can help to ensure the long-term sustainability of the specified purpose. This is because the money in the fund is invested, and the earnings from the investment can support the cause over the long term.

Corpus funds can be an effective way to support a variety of causes. If you are considering establishing a corpus fund, it is essential to carefully consider the purpose of the fund and how it will be used.

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Advantages of Corpus fund

A corpus fund is money set aside for a specific purpose. The corpus fund is not used for day-to-day expenses; instead, it provides a financial cushion for the organisation or individual. There are several advantages to having a corpus fund.

  • One advantage of a corpus fund is that it can help an organisation or individual weather financial difficulties. Suppose an organisation experiences a sudden drop in revenue. In that case, the corpus fund can cover expenses and keep the organisation afloat until it can return.
  • Another advantage of a corpus fund is that it can be used to take advantage of opportunities. If an organisation can purchase a new piece of equipment at a discounted price, the corpus fund can be used to pay for the purchase, and this can help the organisation save money in the long run.
  • Finally, a corpus fund can be used to cover unexpected expenses. If an organisation has to repair a piece of equipment unexpectedly, the corpus fund can be used to pay for the repairs. This can help the organisation avoid financial difficulties in the future.

A corpus fund can be a helpful tool for an organisation or individual. It can provide financial stability in times of difficulty and help take advantage of opportunities.

Disadvantages of Corpus fund

There are a few disadvantages to investing in a corpus fund.

  • The first disadvantage is that you are locked into the investment, which means you can only access your money at the end of the investment term.
  • The second disadvantage is that you get a less amount of your investment back. This is because there may be hidden fees and charges that gets deducted from the fund.
  • The third disadvantage is that you may need help to keep up with inflation, and this is because the return on the fund may need to be higher to offset the effects of inflation.

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Conclusion

A corpus fund is an investment fund used to finance a specific goal or purpose. The fund comprises contributions from many different investors, and the money in the fund is invested in various assets. The primary purpose of a corpus fund is to provide capital for a specific project or goal. For example, a corpus fund might be used to finance the construction of a new factory or to fund research and development for a new product. The fund is typically managed by a team of professionals who invest the money in various ways to achieve the best possible return for the investors.

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FAQs

Q: What are the risks of investing in a corpus fund?

Ans:

The risks of investing in a corpus fund are:

  • The fund may perform better than expected, and the investor may not get the desired return on investment.
  • There is a risk of the fund manager needing to generate enough returns to cover the fund's costs, which could eat into the corpus.
  • The fund may be subject to market fluctuations, and the investor could lose money.
  • There is a risk that the fund may not be able to meet its objectives, and the investor could end up with less money than they started with.

Q: What is the function of a corpus fund?

Ans:

A Corpus Fund is a capital fund set aside for an organisation/entity to run, exist, and maintain itself. These monies, accumulated by voluntary contributions, are not intended to be used to achieve any goals.

Q: How do you make use of a corpus fund?

Ans:

Corpus is a perpetual fund with no restrictions. The restriction is on the usage itself, not the type of use. A corpus fund can be used in exceptional circumstances if the NGO's viability is threatened. Such judgments are rarely made and should be made in general meetings.

Q: Can I remove my corpus fund?

Ans:

Except for a few cases, Employees' Provident Fund Organization laws restrict taking your corpus throughout your career. Making withdrawals for sabbaticals or entrepreneurial endeavours is a convenient way out.

Q: What is the distinction between corpus and noncorpus funds?

Ans:

It is critical to note that in the case of a corpus fund, the monies are restricted but not the aims. Corpus is a perpetual fund with no restrictions; the limitation is on the usage itself, not the sort of use.

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The information, product and services provided on this website are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without any warranty or representation, express or implied. Khatabook Blogs are meant purely for educational discussion of financial products and services. Khatabook does not make a guarantee that the service will meet your requirements, or that it will be uninterrupted, timely and secure, and that errors, if any, will be corrected. The material and information contained herein is for general information purposes only. Consult a professional before relying on the information to make any legal, financial or business decisions. Use this information strictly at your own risk. Khatabook will not be liable for any false, inaccurate or incomplete information present on the website. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this website is updated, relevant and accurate, Khatabook makes no guarantees about the completeness, reliability, accuracy, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, product, services or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Khatabook will not be liable for the website being temporarily unavailable, due to any technical issues or otherwise, beyond its control and for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or access to, or inability to use or access to this website whatsoever.
Disclaimer :
The information, product and services provided on this website are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without any warranty or representation, express or implied. Khatabook Blogs are meant purely for educational discussion of financial products and services. Khatabook does not make a guarantee that the service will meet your requirements, or that it will be uninterrupted, timely and secure, and that errors, if any, will be corrected. The material and information contained herein is for general information purposes only. Consult a professional before relying on the information to make any legal, financial or business decisions. Use this information strictly at your own risk. Khatabook will not be liable for any false, inaccurate or incomplete information present on the website. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this website is updated, relevant and accurate, Khatabook makes no guarantees about the completeness, reliability, accuracy, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, product, services or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Khatabook will not be liable for the website being temporarily unavailable, due to any technical issues or otherwise, beyond its control and for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or access to, or inability to use or access to this website whatsoever.