Maximizing Your Impact: When to Consider Separating Investments into a Separate Foundation

Dear Nonprofit Organizations,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and thriving in your mission to create positive change in the world. Today, we would like to delve into an important topic that can significantly impact the sustainability and growth of your organization: separating investments into a new nonprofit foundation.

As a nonprofit organization, you’re constantly striving to make a difference and generate lasting impact. Funding is a critical aspect of sustaining and expanding your initiatives, and it’s essential to ensure your financial resources are managed effectively. In some cases, separating your investments into a separate foundation can provide numerous benefits and unlock opportunities for growth. Here are some key considerations to help you determine if it’s the right move for your organization:

1. Enhanced Financial Stewardship: By establishing a separate foundation, you can establish clearer lines between your organization’s operational budget and investment funds. This separation facilitates better financial management. Your organization’s board and management should be focused on the current year operating budget, and perhaps three years of planning. While your Foundation Board should be concentrating on long term objectives including the sustainability and management of the investment funds, and long term building projects capital campaigns.
2. Improved Governance and Accountability: Creating a separate foundation can help streamline governance processes, as the board members and investment advisors can focus solely on investment-related decisions. Creating a separate Foundation, allows that Board to have dedicated attention to investment strategies, risk management, and compliance. This allows your regular nonprofit Board to concentrate on what is important for the organization for this year’s budget, this year’s projects, key employees, facility issues, etc, without spending excess time in Board meetings on investments.
3. Long-Term Financial Sustainability: A separate foundation can act as an endowment, generating income to support your organization’s ongoing programs and activities. This can help reduce reliance on donations and grants, providing a more stable and sustainable funding source for your initiatives. With a dedicated investment strategy focused on growth and preservation, you can safeguard the future of your organization and ensure your mission is carried out for years to come.
4. Attracting Donors and Partners: A well-managed separate foundation can increase your organization’s credibility and attractiveness to potential donors and partners. Donors often appreciate knowing that their contributions are not only supporting immediate needs but also generating lasting impact through strategic investments. A separate foundation can demonstrate your commitment to long-term financial stewardship, fostering trust and confidence among stakeholders.
5. Flexibility and Risk Mitigation: Separating investments into a separate foundation can offer more flexibility in managing and allocating resources. It allows you to diversify your investments across different asset classes, geographies, or sectors, reducing risk and increasing the potential for sustainable returns. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to explore innovative funding models, impact investing, or aligning investments with your organization’s mission.

However, it’s important to note that creating a separate foundation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each organization has unique circumstances and should carefully assess the potential benefits and challenges before making such a decision. Consulting with legal and financial professionals experienced in nonprofit governance is strongly recommended to navigate the complexities involved in establishing and managing a separate foundation.

We encourage you to explore this option if it aligns with your long term goals and objectives. Separating investments into a separate foundation can offer a range of advantages, including enhanced financial stewardship, improved governance, long-term sustainability, increased credibility, and flexibility in resource management. Remember, your organization’s financial well-being plays a vital role in achieving your mission. As you consider this important decision, we wish you success in your endeavors and continued impact in the communities you serve.

Best regards,
Randy Walker & Company

(A portion of the above article was created by ChatGPT)