Category Archives: ESG

In 2024, a jury found the NRA’s former CEO liable for millions in damages, following a lawsuit by the New York Attorney General alleging widespread financial mismanagement. The board’s audit committee failed to review related-party transactions and whistleblower complaints, effectively allowing executives to use the nonprofit’s assets as a “personal piggy bank” for lavish travel and suits.

These are not just headlines—they are governance failures. Breakdowns in oversight, process, and accountability can cost organizations their financial stability, their reputations, and the trust of their donors.

For nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, financial stewardship is inseparable from mission stewardship. Endowments, foundations, reserves, and long-term investment pools do more than generate returns—they provide stability, underwrite strategic initiatives, and ensure the organization can serve its community for generations. At the heart of this responsibility lies one essential element: effective governance.

Choosing an investment advisor for your foundation or endowment is a pivotal decision that shapes both your organization’s mission and its enduring legacy. The strength of your investment portfolio fuels your ability to deliver on that mission, making it essential to have a partner who can steer through an increasingly complex and often unpredictable market. While many institutions default to large, national firms, an increasing number of foundations and endowments are recognizing the advantages of working with boutique investment advisors. These specialized firms often provide direct access to their most senior professionals, nimble decision-making, and a deeper alignment of interests—benefits that can be difficult to replicate within larger organizations.