When most nonprofit leaders think about endowments, they picture something… big. 

Big gifts. Big donors. Big institutions with big budgets. 

It’s no wonder many small and midsize nonprofits assume endowments are out of reach.  

Something to think about someday, when the organization is larger, the budget is less tight, or a transformational donor finally walks through the door. 

But what if that assumption is holding your organization back? 

The truth is, you don’t need a million-dollar gift to start building long-term financial stability. You don’t even need a donor. With the right mindset and a board vote, your nonprofit can start creating a board-designated endowment (also known as a quasi-endowment) using funds you already control. 

In this post, we’ll share four reasons why your organization should consider this powerful (and underutilized) tool, no matter your size. 

When you work in nonprofit leadership, you spend a lot of time focused on the here and now: raising enough to meet this year’s goals, delivering on today’s promises, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. 

But at some point, maybe during a board meeting, a donor conversation, or even a late-night budget review, a new kind of question pops up: 

What would it look like to create something more permanent? 

An endowment can feel like the answer to that question. It’s a tool that helps organizations plan beyond the next campaign or fiscal year and instead invest in their mission for the long haul. But for many nonprofits, especially small and midsized ones, the idea of starting an endowment can feel confusing, intimidating, or just… out of reach. 

In this post, we’re not here to tell you whether you should start one today. Instead, we want to help you think through whether an endowment belongs in your organization’s long-term strategy, and what to consider before you begin. 

Are you a small nonprofit wondering if you're too small to establish an endowment fund? The truth is endowments are not only for large organizations. Small nonprofits can benefit greatly from setting up a nonprofit endowment fund. In this blog post, we discuss the misconceptions small nonprofits have about endowments and the benefits they can provide for financial stability, sustainability and attracting donors.

Growing your nonprofit endowment is important for the long-term success of your organization. By providing sustainable funding, an endowment allows you to spend less time worrying about finances and more time accomplishing your mission.

Many organizations make the mistake of not utilizing their current fundraising campaigns to increase their nonprofit investment. Every special event, giving day, and year-end appeal should be used as a chance to increase the impact of your endowment.

Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to educate and inspire your donors. They need to know they have the opportunity to give a gift now that will live on into perpetuity. No need to do all the work of a special endowment campaign! Here are a few tactics you can use to leverage Giving Tuesday to promote your nonprofit endowment.

Your stewardship plan can consist of any engagement that fits your organization, donors and mission. Here are 12 ideas to add to your major donor stewardship plan.

Your stewardship plan can consist of any engagement that fits your organization, donors and mission. Here are 12 ideas to add to your major donor stewardship plan.