Endowments: Making Donations Last

Description

Ever wonder how your nonprofit could turn today’s fundraising into long-term financial stability? How can an endowment help your organization grow and sustain its mission for years to come? 

If you’ve asked yourself questions like Do we have the resources to sustain an endowment? How does it fit into our overall financial plan? What risks should we be aware of? - you’re not alone. This session is designed to give you practical answers and a clear understanding of how endowments can support your mission over the long term.

Learning Objectives:

• What is an endowment and the types nonprofits typically use
• How an endowment fits into your broader financial strategy
• How to assess your organization’s readiness to establish and sustain one
• Key elements of investment policies, portfolio design, and spending strategies
• Common risks and ways to manage them effectively
• How donor-advised funds (DAFs) can complement an endowment

By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how an endowment can help strengthen your nonprofit’s long-term impact, along with concrete steps to move forward with confidence.

When: 
February 11, 2025 | 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (MT)

Who Should Attend? 
CEO/Executive Directors, Chief Operating Officers, board members, and development staff who want to build long-term financial stability and understand how endowments can support their mission. 

Cost:
Members Per Person: $45
Not-Yet-Members: $90

About the Speaker:

Dr. Jonathan Brogaard is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Gaard Capital and serves as Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Finance at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. He brings more than 15 years of experience spanning academic research, institutional asset management, and investment consulting. His research in market microstructure and empirical asset pricing has been widely published in leading academic journals and has multiple national awards. 

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Brogaard founded the Institute for Advanced Investment Management (IAIM) at the University of Utah, a cross-disciplinary institute focused on advancing the practice of investment management in Utah and nationally. He also actively serves on and advises a number of nonprofit boards and foundations. Dr. Brogaard holds both a JD and a PhD in Finance from Northwestern University and maintains the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.

About Gaard Capital

Gaard Capital is an independent investment firm based in Utah, dedicated to serving the investment programs of nonprofits, foundations, and charitable organizations across the country. Founded on both academic insight and practitioner experience, the firm was established to address meaningful gaps in how the investment community supports the nonprofit sector.

Gaard Capital’s mission is to make high-quality investment advice more accessible, helping purpose-driven organizations maximize their resources and build financial strength for the future. The firm offers customized, evidence-based investment services that emphasize transparency and cost efficiency. Core services include investment policy development, strategy design, asset allocation, cash management, risk monitoring, performance reporting, and education for boards and staff.