Endowments and Foundations
Aligning your institution’s mission with sound investment policy.
Mission-driven organizations face unique challenges when it comes to stewarding their assets. Endowments and foundations must balance fiduciary responsibilities with the long-term mission of serving communities, donors, and future beneficiaries. At Avidian Wealth Solutions, we help institutional investors (nonprofits, foundations, and endowments) navigate this balance through disciplined nonprofit investment management, structured governance, and mission-aligned strategies.
Our approach is designed to help institutions strengthen oversight, reduce risks, and align investment strategies with both policy and purpose. Through our Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) model, we act as fiduciary co-partners, supporting investment committees, educating boards, and building resilient portfolios.
If your institution is evaluating its investment policy statement, onboarding new board members, or simply seeking more proactive oversight, our team is here to help. Schedule a consultation with Avidian today to explore how nonprofit investment management can help strengthen your mission for generations to come.
What is the difference between a foundation and an endowment?
While both foundations and endowments are critical vehicles for supporting charitable and mission-driven work, they operate with different structures and goals:
Foundations are charitable organizations, typically funded by a single donor, family, or corporation, with the purpose of distributing grants to support nonprofits, initiatives, or specific causes. They are legally required to distribute a portion of assets annually, which creates ongoing pressure to balance spending with investment performance.
Endowments, by contrast, are pools of invested funds — often tied to universities, hospitals, cultural institutions, or nonprofits — that are designed to generate sustainable returns in perpetuity. The goal is not only to fund current operations but also to preserve capital for future generations.
Understanding these differences is essential for investment management. Foundations must often weigh immediate impact against maintaining financial sustainability, while endowments are tasked with stewarding resources indefinitely. Avidian helps both types of organizations develop clear investment and spending policies that balance mission, fiduciary responsibility, and long-term growth.
Institutional investment management with Avidian
At Avidian, we bring structure, transparency, and discipline to institutional investment strategies. Our institutional investment management service is designed to meet the distinct needs of foundations, endowments, and other mission-based organizations.
Co-fiduciary investment management
We act as a fiduciary partner, offering institutional-level portfolio management that supports the board and investment committee in meeting their responsibilities. By bringing a co-fiduciary approach, decisions are not only well-informed but also align with fiduciary standards and governance best practices.
Avidian’s outsourced CIO solutions
What is an OCIO? An Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) is a strategic partner that manages an institution’s investment program on a discretionary basis, functioning as an extension of the board and investment committee. Instead of relying solely on internal resources, institutions engage an OCIO to offer professional, ongoing oversight of portfolios, governance, and policies.
With Avidian’s outsourced CIO solutions, institutional investors gain access to:
- Dedicated portfolio management and risk oversight
- Professional selection and monitoring of investment managers
- Real-time adjustments to shifting market conditions
- Strategic advice for boards and committees
- ‘A fully aligned fiduciary partner
This model offers nonprofits, endowments, and foundations a cost-effective and scalable way to manage assets, especially when board members or internal staff may not have the time, background, or resources to do so effectively. Learn more about our OCIO services.
Is institutional investment management worth it? We think so.
For many foundations and endowments, the question is not whether to manage assets, but how to do so responsibly while staying true to their mission. Effective nonprofit investment management isn’t just about generating returns, but about creating structures that withstand market cycles, supporting board governance, and preserving donor trust.
At Avidian, we believe that disciplined investment management and OCIO services can help institutions make a bigger impact over the long term. By combining fiduciary oversight, mission-aware strategies, and board-level support, we empower endowments and foundations to stay focused on what matters most: advancing their mission.
Ready to explore how institutional investment management can benefit your organization? Schedule a consultation with Avidian Wealth Solutions today.
Schedule a conversation
Curious about where you stand today? Schedule a meeting with our team and put your portfolio to the test.*