1. What does a charity investment consultant do?

A charity investment advisor helps nonprofits, foundations, and philanthropic organisations manage and grow their financial assets responsibly. This includes creating investment policies, recommending investment strategies, monitoring portfolios, and ensuring alignment with the organisation’s mission and regulatory requirements.

2. Why do charities need investment consultancy?

Charities often manage endowed funds or long-term reserves. Professional guidance helps ensure financial sustainability, supports predictable income for programmes, and protects assets against inflation while balancing risk appropriately. The Charity Investment Governance Principles gives useful pointers as to whether you need an investment consultant depending on factor such as the size of your endowment and the expertise on your committee.

3. How do you ensure investments align with our mission and values?

Consultants incorporate ethical, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance), or mission-aligned investing criteria into the investment policy. Your organisation can exclude certain industries, focus on social impact investing, or adopt a broader responsible investing framework. Charity Commission Guidance on this is very helpful.

4. What types of organisations do you work with?

Typical clients include charities, foundations, religious organisations, donor-advised funds, and social enterprises.

5. What is an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and do we need one?

An IPS outlines how your charity manages its investments, covering areas such as goals, risk tolerance, ethical guidelines, asset allocation, and governance procedures. Any organisation with investable assets should have a clear, documented IPS. The Charities Aid Foundation offers some helpful information.

6. How do you determine our investment strategy?

The strategy is based on your charity’s long-term objectives, spending needs, risk tolerance, ethical guidelines, and cash-flow requirements. A consultant will review your financial position, governance structure, and mission to develop an appropriate approach.

7. How is your compensation structured?

A transparent quote is provided based on an agreed scope of work to be undertaken and calculated on an hourly rate and time estimate. Additional work that may arise at the request of Trustees is charged at the hourly rate. A fixed annual retainer is charged for ongoing manager monitoring and consultancy services. I receive no kickbacks or other forms of compensation.