Tag: Endowments

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Episode 46 – Taking on ESG Initiatives Amidst Global Turmoil with Habib Subjally

Episode 46 – Taking on ESG Initiatives Amidst Global Turmoil with Habib Subjally

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Gas prices have spiked exponentially. Inflation is at 40-year highs. World peace is disrupted due to the war in Eastern Europe.

Amidst all of this global turmoil, how should investors think about  ESG investing? How can organizations advance mission-aligned initiatives?

Find out in this episode, as Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Habib Subjally, senior portfolio manager and head of global equities at RBC Global Asset Management. Habib shares thoughtful insights and strategies for effective ESG integration within an organization your organization and yoru portfolio.

You will learn:

  • Why the current momentum in ESG investing is here to stay
  • How ESG investing can lead to greater commercial success and financial returns
  • Ways to navigate the complexities of the current ESG landscape (and some trending investment themes)
  • How portfolio managers can adopt ESG initiatives despite a lack of standardized industry data
  • And more!

Tune in to learn more about incorporating ESG into your current investment process!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Habib Subjally on LinkedIn | RBC Global Asset Management | Fiducient Advisors’ Guide to Mission-Aligned Investing

About Our Guest:

Habib Subjally is a Senior Portfolio Manager and the Head of RBC Global Equity at RBC Global Asset Management, where he leads a team of 11 global sector specialists. Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Habib spent eight years managing global equities and building his team to its current structure. Previously, he held lead positions in small- and mid-cap equities as well as global and North American equities at other asset management firms.

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Episode 45 – How Can Mission-Driven Nonprofits Improve Performance in Today’s Environment? with Sally Blount

Episode 45 – How Can Mission-Driven Nonprofits Improve Performance in Today’s Environment? with Sally Blount

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Every organization must take the time to stop, reflect on its performance, and ask, “Are we doing the best we can with our current resources?”

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Sally Blount, president, and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, one of the largest human service providers in the Midwest serving more than 500,000 people annually. Sally sheds light on the current environment for nonprofits and strategies to advance your charitable mission.

You will learn:

  • The process of re-evaluating and enhancing your nonprofit’s performance
  • Caveats to keep in mind while scaling your organizational services
  • Factors that lead to effective governance and ideal committee structures
  • The importance of aligning your investment portfolio with your core values
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how you can help your organization prosper in the current environment!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Sally Blount on LinkedIn | Email Sally | Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago | Episode 42: “Investment Considerations, DEI, Nonprofit Leadership and More with Mellody Hobson” | Nonprofit Fundraising and Cryptocurrencies

About Our Guest:

Sally Blount is president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Moreover, she is the professor of strategy at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where she is also a proud alumna and former dean. An internationally recognized thought leader in management and business education, Blount is a highly rated professor and sought-after speaker on leadership development, board governance, and organizational transformation. From 2004-2010, Sally served as dean of the New York University undergraduate College of Business and vice dean of the Stern School of Business. In both deanships, Blount was a record-setting fundraiser, partnering with and leading teams that completed two capital campaigns that were transformational for their institutions, together raising more than $550M. Blount also sits on the board of two Fortune 500 companies, Abbott Laboratories and Ulta Beauty, as well as the boards of the Joyce Foundation and the Economic Club of Chicago.

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Episode 44 – Nonprofits in Higher-Ed: Current Outlook, Opportunities, and Challenges with Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich

Episode 44 – Nonprofits in Higher-Ed: Current Outlook, Opportunities, and Challenges with Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich

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This can be a challenging environment for nonprofit organizations, especially those in higher education, contending with investments, revenue, operations, and more.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, president at Concordia University-St. Paul. They discuss the current outlook for higher-ed organizations, including major opportunities and challenges facing them today.

You will learn:

  • Latest trends in enrollment, operations, and advancement in the higher education space
  • Reasons to focus on sustainability and long-term results while overseeing endowments
  • The impact of rising interest rates on an organization’s finances
  • Tips to help achieve greater alignment among committee and board members
  • And more!

Tune in to learn about the current opportunities and challenges for nonprofits, especially in higher education!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Brian Friedrich on LinkedIn | Email Brian Friedrich | Concordia University, St. Paul | Endowments & Foundations Consulting at Fiducient Advisors

About Our Guest:

The Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich is the 10th president of Concordia University, St. Paul. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Friedrich served as President of Concordia University, Nebraska from 2004-2019, holding several positions in development and administration. He was appointed as vice president for institutional advancement in 1997 and was named the president of Concordia Foundation, Inc. in 2003 before being named president in 2004. Friedrich is a vice president of the Concordia University System, member of the Colloquy Committee of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, trustee of Mill Neck Foundation and Lutheran Friends of the Deaf boards, a director of the Council of Independent Colleges of Nebraska, a director of the National Association of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities, a member of the Seward Rotary Club and St. John Lutheran Church.

 

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Episode 42 – Investment Considerations, DEI, Nonprofit Leadership, and More with Mellody Hobson

Episode 42 – Investment Considerations, DEI, Nonprofit Leadership, and More with Mellody Hobson

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How concerned should we be with market and economic trends? How can we improve our DEI efforts? What are opportunities and challenges should nonprofit leaders be focusing on? These are some of the pressing questions we hear from clients.

Join Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis as they speak with one of the most in-demand guests Mellody Hobson, co-CEO & president at Ariel Investments, a firm managing nearly $18 billion in assets. Mellody shares valuable insight into current investment trends, along with strategies to make your organization more diverse and inclusive.

You will learn:

  • Effectively diversifying your portfolio, given the recent performance of various asset classes
  • Ways to overcome the “unconscious bias” that sabotages your DEI efforts
  • How to evaluate investment managers and firms through a DEI lens
  • Valuable advice for nonprofit leaders to help them drive positive, systematic change
  • And more!

Tune in to hear Mellody Hobson’s expert insights on how investors, including nonprofit organizations, can thrive in the current environment!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Mellody Hobson on LinkedIn | Ariel Investments | “The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies” by Scott Page

About Our Guest:

As Co-CEO, Mellody Hobson is responsible for management, strategic planning, and growth for all areas of Ariel Investments outside of research and portfolio management. Outside of Ariel, Mellody is a nationally recognized voice on financial literacy. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Starbucks Corporation and as a director of JPMorgan Chase. Previously, Mellody served as Chairman of the Board of DreamWorks Animation until the company’s sale and was also a long-standing board member of the Estée Lauder Companies. Mellody’s community outreach includes her role as Chairman of After School Matters, a Chicago non-profit that provides area teens with high-quality after school and summer programs. Additionally, she is vice chair of World Business Chicago; co-chair of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art; and a board member of the George Lucas Education Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

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Episode 41 – Peer Benchmarking Using the 2021 NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments with Devon Francis

Episode 41 – Peer Benchmarking Using the 2021 NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments with Devon Francis

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The NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments is a great benchmarking tool for college and university endowments.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis discuss the key findings from the latest release of the study including noteworthy trends for colleges and universities on investment returns, asset allocation, ESG investing, and a lot more.

You will learn:

  • What nonprofits should keep in mind while comparing performance with peer groups
  • How investment strategies and returns might differ based on endowment size
  • Latest spending trends among college and university endowments
  • The growing adoption of the OCIO model, ESG investing, and DEI policies
  • And more!

Tune in to gain useful insights and how your endowment compares to peers in recent years!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | 2021 NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments | Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Independent Schools | Ep. 14: Your Guide to Endowment Spending Policy With Devon Francis | Ep. 24: The Benefits and Pitfalls of OCIO Endowment Management With Matt Porter | Ep. 28: How Nonprofits Can Drive Results Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion With Cynthia Primo Martin

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Episode 31 – Behind the Scenes of a Successful Foundation with Jay Ruderman

Episode 31 – Behind the Scenes of a Successful Foundation with Jay Ruderman

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Are you looking for proven strategies to help your foundation thrive?

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. Jay reveals principles that have guided the Ruderman Family Foundation in making prudent management, investment, and strategic decisions, and explains how other foundations can emulate their success.

You will learn:

  • Why nonprofits should focus on both advocacy and funding to amplify their impact
  • An unconventional way to look at ESG investing that leads to “double impact”
  • How to identify unique charitable opportunities and avoid replication
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how you can lead your foundation to success!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Jay Ruderman on LinkedIn | Ruderman Family Foundation | All Inclusive With Jay Ruderman (Podcast) | How To Make Your Investment Committee More Effective

About Our Guest:

Jay Ruderman is the President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, which focuses on the inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide and educating Israeli leaders on the American Jewish community. He also has served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Funders Network and is a member of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Executive Committee. In the fall of 2001, Jay became Deputy Director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in New England. In 2005, Mr. Ruderman enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and became the liaison between the IDF and Diaspora Jewry. After his service in the IDF, he returned to AIPAC as the Leadership Director for AIPAC in Israel.

 

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Episode 30 – One Year Anniversary Special

Episode 30 – One Year Anniversary Special

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It’s been a year since Nonprofit Investment Stewards was launched!

A big thank you to all our wonderful listeners and guests who have been a part of this journey.

In this special episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis take a trip down the memory lane, highlighting some of their most memorable episodes. Then, they move on to share five invaluable – and timely – tips for nonprofit investment committees and other stakeholders who oversee endowments and foundations.

You will learn:

  • Key takeaways from some of our most-downloaded episodes
  • Many investment, governance and cost saving strategies to advance your nonprofit’s mission
  • How investment committees can think about lower expected returns
  • Bob’s and Devon’s favorite moments from the podcasting journey
  • And more!

Tune in to revisit some of our best episodes, as well as gain fresh insights on how to make your nonprofit thrive!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Endowment Investment Considerations for Today’s Market — With Brad Long | Your Guide to Endowment Spending Policy – With Devon Francis | How Nonprofit Leaders Can Overcome Today’s Challenges – with Dennis Morrone | Effective Investment Strategies for Healthcare Systems — With Russ Gronewold | 10 Habits of Effective Investment Committees | How the 2020 Elections Could Impact Nonprofit Investors — With Frank Kelly

 

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Episode 26 – Endowment Investment Considerations for Today’s Market — With Brad Long

Episode 26 – Endowment Investment Considerations for Today’s Market — With Brad Long

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If you’re looking for investment strategies that help your nonprofit stay relevant in today’s ever-changing markets, then this episode is for you.

In this show, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Brad Long, CFA, partner and research director at Fiducient Advisors, who oversees the firm’s global public markets. They discuss crucial investment considerations for endowments, such as active versus passive investing, portfolio diversification, and mission-aligned investment.

You will learn:

  • How to construct an optimal portfolio using both active and passive asset management
  • The need to diversify, especially now – and how allocation strategies can evolve over time
  • How your nonprofit can achieve mission-aligned investment objectives
  • Tips for investment committees to overcome emotions and make rational decisions
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how you can help your nonprofits prosper by making prudent investment decisions!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | BRAD LONG BIO | Brad Long on LinkedIn | Nonprofit Investment Stewards, ep. 24 – The Benefits and Pitfalls of OCIO Endowment Management — With Matthew Porter

About Our Guest:

As Partner and Research Director at Fiducient Advisors, Brad Long oversees the firm’s Global Public Markets research efforts with responsibility for global equity, global fixed income, and global real assets. He is also a voting member of the firm’s Investment Committee, member of the firm’s Discretionary Committee, Research Forum, Capital Markets Team, and Mission-Aligned Investing Committee. In 2019, Brad was named a “Rising Star” in City Wire’s annual Professional Buyer publication for his contributions in the investment manager research industry.

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Episode 25 – How Storytelling Can Benefit Your Endowment — With Park Howell

Episode 25 – How Storytelling Can Benefit Your Endowment — With Park Howell

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Oftentimes, the best way to communicate your nonprofit’s core values and mission to your audience is through storytelling.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis are joined by Park Howell, founder of Business of Story, brand storytelling strategist, and international keynote speaker. As the world’s most industrious storyteller, Park discusses how charitable organizations can craft and leverage compelling stories to communicate their investment strategies, exceed their fundraising goals, optimize their mission-aligned message, and ultimately amplify their impact.

You will learn:

  • How storytelling can improve your message to your endowment stakeholders
  • The ABT (And, But, Therefore) narrative that adds meaningful context to financial data
  • How storytelling turns your nonprofit into a purpose-driven brand that resonates strongly 
  • Why stories are a crucial component of ESG investing
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how you can help your nonprofit prosper using the art of storytelling!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Park Howell on LinkedIn | Business of Story | The Business of Story Podcast | The ABT’s of Selling™ Course | Brand Bewitchery: How to Wield the Story Cycle System™ to Craft Spellbinding Stories for Your Brand | The Narrative Gym for Business: Introducing the ABT Framework for Business Communication and Messaging | Nicholas Kristof’s Advice for Saving the World | How To Make Your Investment Committee More Effective

About Our Guest:

Park Howell is the founder of Business of Story, through which he has helped thousands of purpose-driven leaders master business storytelling and grow through a crystal clear vision and mission. As the world’s most industrious storyteller and a 30+ year veteran of branding, marketing and sales, Park works internationally with brand leadership, their marketers and sales teams to help them craft and tell endearingly authentic stories that sell. In addition to being an expert storytelling coach, Park also hosts the popular Business of Story podcast ranked among the top 10% of downloaded shows in the world.

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Episode 24 – The Benefits and Pitfalls of OCIO Endowment Management — With Matt Porter

Episode 24 – The Benefits and Pitfalls of OCIO Endowment Management — With Matt Porter

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With limited resources and staff, it can be difficult for investment committees to focus on both endowment management and the advancement of the organization’s mission.

This circumstance has compelled many nonprofits to consider the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) model.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis are joined by Matt Porter, managing partner and head of endowments and foundations at Fiducient Advisors. Matt explains how an OCIO might help your investment committee optimize decisions, reduce administrative burden, and more efficiently approach portfolio management to better focus on your nonprofit’s long-term goals.

You will learn:

  • The key differences between an OCIO model and traditional investment consulting
  • Specific duties that can be offloaded by nonprofits through an OCIO approach
  • Major advantages and pitfalls of OCIO endowment management
  • How to outsource various responsibilities while still maintaining decision-making authority within your organization
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how the OCIO model can help today’s nonprofits optimize their investment management!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | MATT PORTER BIO | Matt Porter on LinkedIn | Investment Office at Fiducient Advisors: Creative and Flexible Management Solutions for Today’s Nonprofits

About Our Guest:

As Head of Endowments and Foundations, Matt Porter challenges firm members to think about and embrace innovation and knowledge development. As a Senior Consultant, he advises institutional clients on a variety of topics, including asset allocation, investment manager relations and portfolio rebalances. Matt is the Chair of the Investment Committee, which sets all investment policies for the firm, establishes the framework for asset allocation and reviews and approves investment managers.  Matt also leads the firm’s Endowment & Foundation Business Council and is a member of the firm’s Research Forum and Discretionary Committee.

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