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 sh...

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 imp...

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...

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 dif...

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...

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...

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 + Manag...

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...

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 industri...

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...

In a landscape marked by unpredictability and complex market dynamics, investors need to understand the key driving factors and how they may impact portfolio construction. Tune in as Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis join Brad Long, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer at Fiducient Advisors, to dissect the pivotal themes that shaped 2023 and offer a forward-looking perspective into 2024 and beyond. You’ll dis...

Many hospitals and healthcare organizations continue to face financial instability and margin pressures that have been exacerbated by the lingering effects of the pandemic.  Join Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis as they meet with Kate Guelich, CEO of Kaufman Hall, a renowned management consulting firm specializing in healthcare. They explore strategies to tackle the multifaceted challenges by enhancing...

Do you intend to incorporate ESG investing into your portfolio but don’t know where to start? As reporting standards, disclosure requirements, and available data continue to evolve, it can be overwhelming for investors to navigate this ever-changing landscape! In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Sarah Hinman, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CSRIC®, Senior Consultant at Fiducient Advisors and co...

Under Scott Malpass’ leadership, the University of Notre Dame’s endowment fund grew from $400 million in 1988 to nearly $15 billion by 2020, ranking among the top 1% of endowments globally! Post Notre Dame, Scott co-founded Grafton Street Partners and he remains passionate regarding his founder role with Catholic Investment Services. In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis interview Sco...

How have markets impacted your endowment or foundation… and what strategies should you be considering right now? It’s time to review this year from a stewardship perspective and consider what strategies to employ heading into 2024. In this Quarterly Quick Takes, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis are back with Brad Long, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer at Fiducient Advisors. They share meaningful insights...

On July 31st, 2023, a new and exciting chapter began for Fiducient Advisors. With great pleasure, we introduce you to Fiducient Advisors’ new CEO Sabrina Bailey! With a proven track record of astute financial stewardship and a penchant for strategic brilliance, Sabrina brings a wealth of experience that promises to steer Fiducient toward even greater heights. In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon F...

Do you oversee investments, and does this market seem somewhat puzzling? The first half of 2023 was characterized by intriguing events, including AI hype, the Silicon Valley Bank failure, and strained US-China trade relations. And we experienced continued market volatility and rising interest rates.  So where are things headed? In this Quarterly Quick Take, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis are back wit...

Many nonprofits, especially schools, are contending with rising costs, challenged revenue streams, and regulatory matters — all of it in a tumultuous market environment. In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Katharine Wyatt, CFA chief investment officer at Loyola University Chicago. Katherine shares timely insights on how nonprofits and endowments can thrive in the current enviro...

Effective leadership and good governance can help maximize your mission but requires strategic, long-term thinking in a world increasingly focused on the short term.  In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with David Nierenberg, director of The National World War II Museum, where he also chairs the investment committee. They explore ways to improve nonprofit leadership and governance a...

A lot has happened in the first quarter of 2023. Continued market volatility, rising interest rates, and the hottest topic right now — the banking debacle! In the first Quarterly Quick Take of 2023, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis are back with Brad Long, CFA®, partner and deputy chief investment officer at Fiducient Advisors. They address top stories on the markets and the economy, including their pr...

Is ESG here to stay? Will active investing have its turn in the sun? Can international markets finally outperform domestic markets? Does cryptocurrency belong in an endowment portfolio? These are common investment-related questions that nonprofit leaders and people overseeing endowments might have. In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis answer the above questions and more. They also share Fi...

As part of your ESG goals, you might be screening certain investments before adding them to your endowment’s portfolio. If you want to amplify your impact, adding a “sustainability fund” might help. In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Dr. Troy Hammond, a scientist, business leader, and entrepreneur who served as North Central College’s president for nearly 10 years until...

2022 was a challenging year for investors, primarily due to high volatility, severe market drawdowns, and increased Fed intervention. But what should investors consider moving forward in 2023 and beyond? Find out in this episode, as Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Brad Long, CFA®, partner and deputy chief investment officer at Fiducient Advisors. They provide recent market updates and futur...

Being part of a diverse organization does not guarantee everyone feels valued and welcome. It’s crucial to simultaneously and intentionally focus on equity, inclusion and belonging. Moreover, DEIB is not only the right thing to do, but research shows it can also produce better outcomes. In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Karen Paulson, partner and senior consultant at Fiducien...

The traditional 60/40 stock/bond portfolio is on pace for its worst performance in 80 years and Treasury bonds might register their worst performance in 200 years! Investor anxiety seems to be rising in lock-step with interest rates. All this contributes to a high level of uncertainty for those who oversee endowments and foundations. In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis help investment com...