Category: nonprofit

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Episode 78 – Reflecting on Four Years of Lessons from Nonprofit Investment Stewards

Episode 78 – Reflecting on Four Years of Lessons from Nonprofit Investment Stewards

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What makes a nonprofit thrive? The answer lies in leadership, economics, strategy, storytelling, and more as shared by experts who’ve walked the walk.

Join Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis as they celebrate the top takeaways from their Nonprofit Investment Stewards podcast, revisiting key moments from a four-year journey that empowered nonprofits to grow, lead, and invest with purpose. 

From lessons shared by iconic investors, to strategies for effective governance, to DEI’s impact on investment decisions, this finale is packed with actionable wisdom.

You’ll hear about:

  •  Strategies to help endowment and foundation portfolios succeed
  • The evolving role of investment committees, providing a framework for good governance and actionable strategies to enhance decision-making
  • The importance of clear storytelling and connection to engage donors effectively, including the “fundraising equation” shared in past episodes
  • Insights from top nonprofit leaders and investors, highlighting innovative approaches to philanthropy and leadership
  • Practical advice on incorporating DEI values into investment decisions while ensuring financial performance
  • Tools and habits for fostering confident, emotionally intelligent leaders to drive organizational success
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

Episodes mentioned:

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Episode 77 – Quarterly Quick Take: Federal Reserve Updates and Q4 Expectations With Brad Long

Episode 77 – Quarterly Quick Take: Federal Reserve Updates and Q4 Expectations With Brad Long

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As markets face increased volatility, the Federal Reserve’s recent decisions are pivotal for investors navigating the changing environment.

This week, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis are joined by Brad Long, Chief Investment Officer at Fiducient Advisors, to discuss the latest market dynamics and investment implications. 

You’ll gain insights into stock and bond markets, understand the impact of recent Federal Reserve actions, and explore strategies to navigate these turbulent times. Listen now to learn more about how to manage your nonprofit’s investments amidst economic uncertainty.

You’ll discover:

  • Overview of third-quarter performance in stock and bond markets
  • Historical trends of market volatility during fall months
  • The implications of the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut
  • The current state of the election landscape and its investment impact
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Brad Long joined Fiducient Advisors in 2012. He is chair of the firm’s Investment Committee and a member of the firm’s Discretionary Committee, Research Forum, Capital Markets Team and Mission-Aligned Investing Committee. Prior to joining the firm, Brad worked in various research capacities at Citigroup and Wells Fargo in New York. He received a BA in Finance and Minor in Economics from The University of Colorado and is a CFA® charterholder and member of the CFA Society of Chicago and CFA Institute. Additionally, he is active with Greenhouse Scholars, a nonprofit providing financial and personal support to under-resourced college students. In his free time, Brad loves cooking and spending time with his wife and young sons.

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Episode 76 – Real Estate Investing Trends with Rich Hill

Episode 76 – Real Estate Investing Trends with Rich Hill

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Real estate valuations have dropped 20-30%, marking the third significant correction in several decades. This isn’t just market noise; it’s a critical investment insight. 

Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis interview Rich Hill, head of real estate strategy and research at Cohen & Steers, about the current landscape of real estate investing. They discuss the impact of interest rates, the role of real estate in a diversified investment portfolio, and the potential opportunities and risks in different sectors of the real estate market today. Rich also shares his insights on anticipated changes in interest rates, trends in the real estate sector, and common misconceptions about real estate investing.

You’ll discover/learn:

  • How does commercial real estate act as a diversifier in a portfolio and provide a stable stream of income for endowments and foundations?
  • What does recent performance of listed REITs indicate about the future of the real estate market?
  • What opportunities exist in next-generation property types like data centers, cell towers, seniors housing, and single-family rentals despite challenges in the office and multifamily sectors?
  • How could anticipated changes in interest rates, particularly real rates, impact real estate returns?
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Richard Hill | Cohen and Steers | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Rich Hill, Senior Vice President, is Head of Real Estate Strategy & Research, responsible for identifying allocation opportunities in both listed and private real estate and related thematic and strategic research. Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Mr. Hill was a managing director and Head of Commercial Real Estate Research at Morgan Stanley, where he was responsible for public REIT equity research, CRE debt strategy and macro property research. Previously, he was a director at RBS Securities and a vice president at Bank of America Corporation. Mr. Hill has a BS from Georgetown University and is based in New York.

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Episode 75 – Navigating Communication in a Noisy World With Dean Brenner

Episode 75 – Navigating Communication in a Noisy World With Dean Brenner

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Did you know that 40% of a typical workweek is wasted due to poor communication? How can you decrease the amount of time lost?

Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis engage with Dean Brenner, President and CEO of the Latimer Group, to explore how clear communication can be a challenge today and how you can sharpen your skills.

You’ll learn:

  • What are the challenges of modern communication
  • What are the key differences between for-profit and nonprofit communication
  • What are some real-life stories that highlight common communication blunders
  • What essential listening and simplification techniques can improve interactions
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Dean Brenner | The Latimer Group | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

The idea for The Latimer Group was born in Grand Canyon National Park, in fall of 2000, during a “what if” conversation between Dean and his wife Emily. Emily said the magic words… “You love to build teams, you love to teach, and you are a great public speaker… build a business around that.” Eighteen months later, The Latimer Group was off and running.

Dean is motivated by creating great environments for the people in his life. For his teammates, creating a culture of collaboration and opportunity where they can spread their wings. For our clients, creating learning environments where they are challenged, supported and empowered to make their own voice heard. And for his family, building a home environment that is based on love, laughter and great experiences.

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Episode 74 – Quarterly Quick Take: How Presidential Elections Impact Your Portfolio — With Brad Long

Episode 74 – Quarterly Quick Take: How Presidential Elections Impact Your Portfolio — With Brad Long

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Wondering how the economy and upcoming presidential election might affect your investment portfolio?

Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis sit down with Brad Long, Chief Investment Officer at Fiducient Advisors, to provide a mid-year market recap and delve into the potential financial implications of the 2024 presidential election. Brad also sheds light on resilient investment strategies for uncertain times.

You’ll discover:

  • Economic highlights from the first half of 2024
  • Key insights into stock and bond market performance
  • Potential election impacts on investments
  • Strategies for building a resilient portfolio
  • And more!

 

Resources:

Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Brad Long | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

 

About Our Guest:

Brad joined Fiducient Advisors in 2012. As Fiducient Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer, Brad leads the firm’s investment strategy and research efforts. He is chair of the firm’s Investment Committee and a member of the firm’s Discretionary Committee, Research Forum, Capital Markets Team and Mission-Aligned Investing Committee.

Prior to joining the firm, Brad worked in various research capacities at Citigroup and Wells Fargo in New York. He received a BA in Finance and Minor in Economics from The University of Colorado and is a CFA® charterholder and member of the CFA Society of Chicago and CFA Institute. Additionally, he is active with Greenhouse Scholars, a nonprofit providing financial and personal support to underresourced college students. In his free time, Brad loves cooking and spending time with his wife and young sons.

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Episode 73 – AI in Action: Transforming Nonprofit Efficiency and Impact with Benjamin Aase

Episode 73 – AI in Action: Transforming Nonprofit Efficiency and Impact with Benjamin Aase

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As the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries, nonprofit organizations are increasingly dependent on it.

Join Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and guest Benjamin Aase, principal with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), to hear how nonprofits can leverage AI and other technologies to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.

You’ll discover:

  • Top three pain points for nonprofits in deriving meaningful insights from data
  • Practical applications of AI and technology in fundraising, grant writing, and report automation
  • Ben’s advice to nonprofit leaders who may be intimidated by AI
  • Future outlook for the technological landscape relating to nonprofits
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Benjamin Aase | CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) | Show Me the Results: A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation with Chari Smith | The Future of AI: Trends, Opportunities, Risks, and More! with Altan Wuliji | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Benjamin Aase is a principal with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA). As a member of the national nonprofit leadership team, Ben leads the firm’s nonprofit digital services. CLA’s team of 900 nonprofit professionals serves over 10,000 nonprofits nationally through integrated wealth advisory, outsourcing, digital, audit, and tax services to help them succeed professionally and personally.

Ben earned his BA in Economics from Colorado College and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. Ben is a board director and investment committee member of the Cargill Foundation, a co-founder of Impact Hub MSP, a former Bush Fellows Selection Committee Member and a judge in the Meda Million Dollar Challenge, and a former review board member for the Impact Ventures division of the Minnesota Cup. Ben is also co-founder of the Minneapolis Professional Chapter of Net Impact. Ben was recently named a (Real) Power 50 by Minnesota Business Magazine.

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Episode 72 – The New And Important Role Bonds Can Play in Your Portfolio – Including Endowments, with Wesly Pate

Episode 72 – The New And Important Role Bonds Can Play in Your Portfolio – Including Endowments, with Wesly Pate

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Fixed-income markets have changed dramatically.

As bonds garner growing interest from investors (including endowments and foundations), it boils down to fit, and is it possible to achieve your portfolio return target with less risk?

Learn more about the role of fixed income in a portfolio with Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and guest Wesly Pate, CFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager at Income Research + Management (IR+M). They talk about portfolio diversification, credit risk, liquidity, inflation, private credit, and much more.

You’ll discover:

  • Higher real return expectations from fixed-income 
  • The significance of liquidity and high-quality fixed income in your portfolio 
  • Fixed income as a hedge against uncertainty and adverse scenarios
  • Credit risk considerations and opportunities for yield without compromising quality
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Wesly Pate | Income Research + Management | Fiducient Advisors 2024 Outlook – Prepare Not Predict | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Wesly joined IR+M in January 2011 and was named Senior Portfolio Manager in 2022. In his role as a Senior Portfolio Manager, Wesly is focused on portfolio construction, sector analysis, and contributing to the investment decision-making process, specifically for private clients and taxable institutional portfolios. Prior to joining IR+M, Wesly was an Equity Analyst at Eastern Investment Advisors.

Wesly has a BBA in Finance from Georgia State University, an MBA in Finance from the Boston University School of Management, and an MS in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management.

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Episode 71 – Quarterly Quick Take: Market Updates and International Diversification with Brad Long

Episode 71 – Quarterly Quick Take: Market Updates and International Diversification with Brad Long

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With a surprisingly strong quarter in the books, it’s time to uncover the latest updates on the markets and the economy, and how they may impact your portfolio, endowment, or foundation.

Join the insightful conversation between Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and returning guest Brad Long, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer at Fiducient Advisors. They talk about year-to-date results, the complex reality of inflation’s “messy middle,” and what to potentially expect going forward.

You’ll discover:

  • How Fiducient’s three main themes for 2024 have played out so far
  • The importance of global diversification (despite the recent domination of US equities)
  • The role of growth versus value investing styles in a well-rounded portfolio 
  • The cyclical nature of various economic and market forces
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Brad Long | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

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Episode 70 – The Future of AI: Trends, Opportunities, Risks, and More! with Altan Wuliji

Episode 70 – The Future of AI: Trends, Opportunities, Risks, and More! with Altan Wuliji

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Artificial intelligence (AI) drove markets last year and continues to dominate the news today.

But what does it mean for the investments you oversee?

Learn about the transformative potential of AI on your portfolio in this episode with Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and guest Altan Wuliji, CFP®, principal and senior consultant at Fiducient Advisors. They explore how AI is reshaping traditional industries, impacting portfolio construction, and enabling operational efficiencies for organizations.

You’ll discover:

  • How you’re likely already invested in AI (even if you don’t know it)
  • AI applications in fundraising, mission impact, and evaluation
  • The risks and benefits of integrating AI into investment strategies and portfolio construction
  • Notable AI trends in 2024 and beyond
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Altan Wuliji | Cultural Institutions’ Investment Policies, Practices and Performance | Association Reserves: Policies, Practice and Performance | Peer Benchmarking Using the 2021 NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Altan provides investment consulting services to financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private investors. He services clients by providing advice and expertise on asset allocation, portfolio design, investment policy statements, manager search process, and overall investment management.

Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Altan was a Senior Planner at Balasa Dinverno Foltz and an Analyst at RegentAtlantic Capital. Altan earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University. Altan was awarded the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the President’s Congressional Scholarship which provided the opportunity to serve within the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Altan achieved the Certified Financial Planner® designation in 2012 and is a Level II CFA Candidate in the CFA Program. He was a member of the Midtown Auxiliary Board and enjoys competing in triathlons.

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Episode 69 – Show Me The Results: A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation with Chari Smith

Episode 69 – Show Me The Results: A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation with Chari Smith

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Nonprofit organizations, and their donors, have become increasingly vigilant about measuring success and effectiveness.

This new dynamic can significantly impact the type of resources a nonprofit attracts!

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Chari Smith, founder of Evaluation Into Action and author of Nonprofit Program Evaluation Made Simple. They tackle the pressing issue of program evaluation and its role in demonstrating impact and making data-driven decisions.

You’ll discover:

  • The need to look beyond numbers and articulate tangible impact
  • How program evaluation can benefit fundraising and capital campaigns
  • Practical guidance to get started (if you’re new to program evaluation)
  • Real-life examples of organizations benefiting from program evaluation
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Chari Smith | Evaluation Into Action | “Nonprofit Program Evaluation Made Simple” by Chari Smith | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Chari Smith believes evaluation should be accessible, practical, and usable. She founded Evaluation into Action to help nonprofit professionals create realistic and meaningful program evaluation processes. She has taught several workshops helping nonprofit professionals understand the value and use of program evaluation.

Chari is the 2023 President-Elect with the Oregon Program Evaluators Network (OPEN). She is a proud member of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and the International Society of Evaluation Education (ISEE). She is also an adjunct faculty member for the University of Portland’s Pamplin School of Business Nonprofit MBA program. Her book Nonprofit Program Evaluation Made Simple: Get Your Data. Show Your Impact. Improve Your Programs. provides step-by-step instructions on how to do program evaluation.

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