If your nonprofit has an endowment or board-designated reserve, you’ve likely asked (or been asked) a version of this question: “How much of this can we actually spend?” 

It’s a reasonable question. But without a clear, written policy in place, the answers often vary depending on who’s in the room, how the market is doing, or what the budget looks like that year. 

That uncertainty can lead to confusion, tension, and decisions that feel reactive rather than strategic. 

A spending policy changes that. 

It gives your board and leadership team a shared understanding of how much you can draw from your invested funds each year, and helps ensure those decisions are grounded in purpose, not pressure. 

In this post, we’ll walk through what a spending policy is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most important financial tools your nonprofit may not be using yet.

Are you struggling to find the right investment advisor for your nonprofit? 

You’re not alone. As a former Development Director, I know the overwhelming feeling of navigating the complex world of investments. When your mission’s success is at stake, you may be unsure of where to start and whom to trust with our nonprofit’s financial future.

Are you a nonprofit looking to increase your funds and generate additional revenue? Investing or creating an endowment may be something you’ve considered, but you may not know where to start. If you’re asking “what is investment management for nonprofits?” it’s smart to learn more about maximizing your returns while maintaining your charitable mission. In this article, we dive into if nonprofits can invest, why effective nonprofit investment management is important and we offer four tips to help you manage your organization’s funds.