332: Endowment Essentials Every Nonprofit Leader Must Know (John Griffith)

SUMMARY

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Are you so focused on meeting this year’s budget that you’re neglecting the long-term financial stability your nonprofit needs to survive and thrive? In episode #332 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, financial strategist John Griffith dismantles common myths and explains why endowments are essential for long-term stability, mission growth, and donor engagement. He reveals how shifting from a poverty mindset to a strategic mindset can transform your organization’s financial future, diversify revenue streams, and provide resilience in times of economic uncertainty. Learn practical ways to educate your board, integrate endowment goals into your strategic plan, and create broad funding “buckets” that align with your mission while inspiring donor investment.

ABOUT JOHN

John Griffith, Director and Endowment Specialist at Hirtle Callaghan & Co., brings over 35 years of nonprofit experience. He leads the firm’s holistic planning process, partnering with Investment Committees to design investment programs aligned with mission, goals, and risk tolerance. He advises endowments on strategic issues such as spending and liquidity policies, debt management, capital campaigns, operating reserves, and governance. From 2003 to 2014, John served as CFO and Treasurer of Bryn Mawr College, overseeing its $850 million endowment, modernizing and diversifying its portfolio, and earning a rare debt rating upgrade during the recession. He previously held senior financial roles at the University of New Hampshire and began his career at Coopers & Lybrand. John holds a Master’s in Finance from Bentley University and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

Pioneering Portfolio Management by David F. Swensen
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