Tag: Strategic Planning

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

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

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:

Episode 40 – How Museums and Attendance-Dependent Nonprofits Can Thrive Post-COVID with Laura Lott

Episode 40 – How Museums and Attendance-Dependent Nonprofits Can Thrive Post-COVID with Laura Lott

Does your nonprofit’s success rely heavily on memberships and attendance?

If yes, then it’s likely that your organization faced a major downturn due to COVID-19.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Laura Lott, president and CEO at American Alliance of Museums. They discuss strategies to help attendance-dependent nonprofits, such as museums and zoos, thrive post-COVID.

You will learn:

  • New ways to engage your community and monetize your services
  • Why many organizations lack financial sustainability in the first place
  • Tips for more effective investment and spending policies
  • How investment committees can approach ethical investing
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how you can help attendance-dependent nonprofits prosper! 

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Laura Lott on LinkedIn | American Alliance of Museums (AAM) | AAM 2022-2025 Strategic Framework | How Museums Can Ethically Invest Their Money | Endowment and Foundations at Fiducient Advisors

About Our Guest:

Laura L. Lott began her tenure as president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums in June 2015. A results-oriented, entrepreneurial, strategic leader with a track record of setting and achieving aggressive programmatic and financial goals, Laura served as the Alliance’s chief operating officer since 2010. Laura also led the 2012 re-launch of the Alliance, including rebranding the organization and rebuilding its technical infrastructure and web/mobile presence, and redesigning its membership and excellence programs — leading to a nearly 70 percent increase in museum membership and the organization’s first three profitable years in a decade. Prior to her work at the Alliance, Laura guided the evolution and growth of several nonprofit education organizations. Most recently, Laura served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer of The JASON Project, an international nonprofit education program at the National Geographic Society with a mission to inspire and motivate students to learn science through great explorers and events.

Episode 36 – Amplify Your Impact Through Strategic Philanthropy with Caren Yanis

Episode 36 – Amplify Your Impact Through Strategic Philanthropy with Caren Yanis

When you’re strategic with your philanthropy and strive for efficiency within your organization, you can do more good with less money.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Caren Yanis, principal at Croland Consulting, LLC, and a philanthropic advisor to families and businesses. Caren shares actionable insights and best practices for today’s nonprofits, family foundations, and endowments.

You will learn:

  • Current opportunities and challenges for philanthropists and charitable organizations
  • How to ensure strong governance, even when there are few rules to hold boards accountable
  • How to align your organization’s philanthropic practices with your values
  • Key points that every investment committee should keep in mind
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how you can amplify your impact through strategic philanthropy!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | 2022 Return Expectations Webinar | Caren Croland Yanis on LinkedIn | Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation | Poetry Foundation | Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) | Foundation Financial Officers Group (FFOG) | Episode 22 – Achieving Your Charitable Mission Through Private Foundat ions — With Adam Newell | Fiducient Capital Market Assumptions 

About Our Guest:

Caren Croland Yanis is the principal of Croland Consulting, a philanthropic consulting firm focused on helping high-net-worth families give well. As executive director of the Oprah Winfrey Foundations in the 2000s, Ms. Yanis helped Ms. Winfrey build her public and private philanthropy and went on to become president of Crown Family Philanthropies in Chicago. She is a board member of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, a member of the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Advisory Council, and a board member of Friends of the Children.