Recent Non-profit Survey

A recent survey of non-profit investors reflects some interesting concerns. The biggest investment concern for non-profit financial executive poll participants during the coming year is to make asset allocation changes focused on downside risk protection. Over 80% of poll participants view downside risk protection as a priority for the coming year. Seventy-five percent of that group view this as a “high” or “extremely high” priority.

Forty percent of the poll participants indicated their organization is open to using outside investment service providers in their quest to reduce downside investment risk. More and more charities are looking to outsource many of the responsibilities related to investment management. This helps reduce time commitments and allows for greater focus on return enhancement and risk protection.

Some other key investment priorities mentioned by the survey respondents included:

• Best ways to make asset allocation decisions
• Ways to increase performance and reduce volatility risk by adding asset classes to the portfolio
• Ways to increase donor confidence in the organization’s investment policies

United Methodist churches throughout Indiana have access to a unique resource to assist in all the above mentioned concerns. The United Methodist Foundation of Indiana, Inc. offers a variety of investment resources to all local churches and church related organizations. Some of those resources include the following:

• We consult with churches to identify a proper allocation of assets to different asset types or styles
• We offer a sample investment policy and can help you develop a policy for your circumstances
• We consult  with your decision makers on a variety of investment and stewardship related matters
• We offer 11 different investment pools in which IN U.M. church can invest. One of those investment pools was chosen specifically because of its long history of minimizing losses in down markets while producing outstanding long-term returns.

Need Help?

If your church would like assistance in developing an investment strategy, reviewing your current investments, or exploring other investment options, we would be happy consult with your decision makers to assist. Our Foundation provides these services free of charge to United Methodist churches throughout Indiana. Just call me or send me an e mail.

Happy Investing!

Royce

Royce L. Ruckman, CPA, AEP

Director of Investment Services

United Methodist Foundation of Indiana, Inc.

8401 Fishers Center Drive, Fishers, IN 468038

toll free 877-391-8811, cell 765-661-6804

e mail rruckman@niumf.org

Visit our web site at http://www.niumf.org