Who's Minding the Money? An Investment Guide for Nonprofit Board Members

[From the publisher]

Complex investment options. Market shifts prompted by the current financial environment. Fears of getting duped by an unscrupulous investment advisor.

In this financial climate, what board wouldn't be afraid to invest? And yet, when investment policies are shaped by informed boards that supervise their advisors, the returns almost always outweigh the risks. It's when boards are hands-off (because they lack knowledge or the courage to walk away from investments they don't understand) that they can end up approving investments that are inappropriate for their organizations. The result can be a legal nightmare in which board members are held personally liable.

How can your board avoid these pitfalls? Who's Minding the Money? makes it easy and, yes, even enjoyable, to understand how and why your board should oversee your organization's investments. Avoiding financial jargon, we feature targeted case studies that illustrate why board members often disengage from their investing responsibilities and how you can re-engage them.

You'll learn

• how to set investment goals
• how to create helpful policies and structures
• how to scam-proof your investments
• how to avoid conflicts of interest
• what to look for in an investment advisor
• what to do when things don't go according to plan

You also will find a glossary of investment and legal terms and downloadable content that includes sample investment policies, alternative investment due-diligence guidelines, a sample spending policy, and a self-guided investment audit.