Foundation & Endowments

Take the Long View
For The Journey Forward

Your foundation needs a partner that knows how to handle what’s ahead. With a clear and focused view, we can help guide your foundation through firsts and new milestones. Scroll through for our thoughts on the big questions to come.

Foundation & Endowments

Take the Long View
For The Journey Forward

Your foundation needs a partner that knows how to handle what’s ahead. With a clear and focused view, we can help guide your foundation through firsts and new milestones. Scroll through for our thoughts on the big questions to come.

HOW can Donaldson further my organization’s mission?

When it comes to your mission, we take the long-term view. We know that while there are many milestones to hit along the way, ultimately, your goal is to make an impact that will last. With our rising dividend approach, we generate steady, increasing income your organization can rely on. And our priority of security first works to ensure that your foundation is on the right path for the long run.

HOW can Donaldson help minimize risk for my organization?

Risk is unpredictability. The less predictable something is, the more risk is involved. And while you can’t know for certain what the next economic downturn will bring, you can feel confident in our strategy, designed to forecast the income stream generated for your foundation. Our deep understanding of what it means to have less risk and a stable portfolio lets us guide your foundation to where it needs to be.

WHAT will happen to my organization’s portfolio in an economic downturn?

Economic downturns are inevitable. It’s not a matter of if they will happen, but when. Designing your portfolio to combat tough financial climates is critical, especially since no investment is completely immune to market drops.

That’s why we choose some of the most financially strong companies that exist. Many of these companies have lived through recessions and, even in the worst of it, continue to pay dividends. By minimizing risk, your portfolio will hold value more than the average company, regardless of what the economy brings next.

WHEN the next recession comes, will my organization still be able to support our grantees?

Not knowing what lies ahead is tough, especially when you have annual grant obligations. You have to continue your mission and meet the needs of your grantees, regardless of what is going on with the economy. That’s why our first priority is security, so you can feel confident in your investment, no matter what the market’s doing. Our rising dividend approach aim to produce dependable and increasing income, so that you can keep your mission and granting requirements on track for the long run.

WHAT is the breadth of Donaldson’s experience with Foundations and Endowments?

Our clients come to us from all sizes, backgrounds and priorities. Since our founding in 1995, we have served foundations and endowments anywhere from a few hundred thousand dollars, all the way to tens of millions. The investment strategy is scalable to serve the smallest to the largest and everything in between. We currently serve over 50 endowment and foundation clients, totaling over $130 million.

WILL our portfolio be managed by sub-managers?

The entire responsibility for investing our portfolios lies with your advisor and the DCM Investment Policy Committee. We do not outsource the management of any of our portfolios or investment strategies. Your investment advisor is your ultimate decision maker and is fully responsible for the success of your investment. None of the management is delegated to other firms, sub-managers or mutual fund companies.

HOW often should I expect to see or hear from our advisor?

Once we get started together, we are on hand for the entire journey. Some of our clients like to meet quarterly with their entire board, some prefer one-on-one calls every month. Based on your needs and preferences, we will keep up with you personally through customized reports and meetings, on a schedule defined by you.