Purpose: What is an Endowment?

November 27, 2019 |
3 minute read
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A critically important asset for many nonprofit organizations is their endowment, sometimes referred to by a different name such as long-term investment fund. So important is this pool of financial assets that for many institutions it is the difference between fulfilling their missions and being forced to lower their aspirations or even ceasing to operate.

That makes wise management the essential task for those charged with responsibility for these funds: boards of trustees, members of the investment (or finance) committee and senior staff members. There are fundamental principles of effective endowment management that we have organized into what we call “the Six Ps of investment Stewardship.” Following is the first blog in the Six Ps series outlining these principles.

Principle I – Purpose

What is an Endowment Fund?

More than 2 million registered nonprofit organizations serve a diverse spectrum of societal needs, including education at every level; healthcare and human services; arts, culture and humanities; the environment; and community services, among others. Many nonprofits are fortunate enough to have an endowment, and for these organizations this pool of assets is the financial cornerstone supporting their primary objective: the fulfillment of their mission.

Endowments are composed of individual funds given by donors over time, usually to support particular activities or programs of a nonprofit organization. These are referred to as restricted funds, and they generally comprise the greatest share of an institution’s endowment. That is to say, an endowment is not monolithic, but composed of a great many smaller endowments. Donors sometimes give with no restriction as to purpose—that is, gifts in support of the broad mission of the institution and referred to as unrestricted. In addition, institutions themselves may elect to treat operating surpluses, unrestricted bequests and other similar amounts as what is known as “quasi-endowment.”

These differing purposes influence the investment strategy for endowment funds. For example, a fund dedicated to providing scholarships at a college requires a steady flow of cash, year in and year out; ideally, the amount should not only remain steady but rise with inflation. A fund that is intended to cover the cost of awarding a prize every five years does not have the same need for ready cash. These two funds have different tolerances for year-to-year fluctuations in their value and their need for liquidity.

Increasingly today, nonprofit organizations are taking a holistic view of their financial resources and commitments. In this approach, long-term funds (endowment), annual operating budget, development capabilities (fund raising) and forecasted capital needs (facilities expansion, for example) are considered together. The demands on long-term funds and annual operating fund needs vary widely across the nonprofit spectrum; educational institutions, for instance, will have very different needs than foundations and they, in turn, will have very different needs than nonprofit healthcare institutions. This requires closer communication and coordination between the investment committee, financial staff, facilities management and development office.

Historically, most donors to endowments have contemplated a perpetual life for their funds. In recent years, however, some endowments—including some very large ones such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—have been established with a finite life. The expected lifespan, or term, of a fund is an important factor to consider when crafting an investment policy.


What are the top 10 critical issues to consider when crafting an investment policy?


In this context, the maintenance of purchasing power becomes a key issue for a perpetual fund. For example, a series of funds to endow the conductor’s and section chairs’ positions at a symphony orchestra will need to be invested with a perpetual horizon in mind. On the other hand, a fund dedicated to constructing a new concert hall for the symphony 10 years from now does not need to generate any cash during its life and should, accordingly, be invested using a different strategy (although a fund for ongoing maintenance of the hall would be perpetual).

Authority over institutional investment pools such as endowments resides with the governing board. There is general agreement that it is the responsibility of the investment or finance committee—with the advice and consent of the full board of trustees and in consultation with the administration or chief executive—to determine the objectives of the endowment and to establish policies that will guide its management. These objectives and policies should be articulated in a written statement with which all trustees are familiar and that is periodically reviewed and updated.

The members of the governing board—and the investment committee—are fiduciaries. If you are on the board of a nonprofit, you have a particular responsibility in that you are a fiduciary with regard to financial matters.

Want to know more about the Six Ps of Investment Stewardship and how they can serve as a guide for your role?

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Commonfund Institute

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Commonfund Institute

Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.

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Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.