Our Evidence-Based Appoach to Investing

At Plentiful Wealth, we understand that your investments aren’t just numbers on a statement—they represent the future capacity of your organization to make an impact. Every dollar preserved through prudent investment management is a dollar that can advance your mission. Consider us your partners in effective stewardship.

Our Investment Philosophy

We take an academic, research-based approach to portfolio management by considering a variety of factors when building portfolios. Ultimately, we want to find the right mix of risk, returns, and income generation for your organization. Our philosophy is grounded in decades of academic research and real-world experience managing nonprofit portfolios.

Core Investment Principles

Markets are Efficient

Expenses Matter

Market Timing is Impossible

Diversification Works

Three Portfolio Approaches to Match Your Needs

Endowment Model Portfolio

For institutions with portfolios exceeding $2,500,000, we offer an endowment-style approach that incorporates alternative investments alongside traditional assets:

  • Long-horizon portfolio that can include less liquid investments like Private Equity, Hedge Funds, and Real Assets
  • Lower correlation to traditional stock and bond markets
  • Enhanced returns through illiquidity premiums
  • Hedge fund strategies can provide downside protection

Note: Endowment Portfolios have higher internal expenses and reduced liquidity, which require careful consideration

Core Low-Cost ETF Portfolio

Our foundational offering uses extremely low-cost exchange-traded funds to build a balanced and diversified portfolio. This approach provides:

  • Rock-bottom expenses (typically below 0.10% fund costs)
  • Diversification across thousands of companies
  • Daily liquidity for all investments
  • Quarterly rebalancing to maintain target allocations
  • Suitable for organizations of all sizes

Custom Impact Investing Portfolio

For organizations seeking alignment between investments and mission, we create tailored Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) or Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) portfolios:

  • Direct Indexing provides the ability to exclude certain types of companies which conflict with your organization’s values
  • Filters are customizable based on your specific mandate
  • Competitive returns while still maintaining your principles
  • Daily liquidity for all investments

Note: ESG/SRI Portfolios have higher internal expenses which require careful consideration

Our Investment Process

Discovery and Assessment
We begin by understanding your organization’s unique circumstances:
  • Current and future funding needs
  • Risk tolerance and time horizons
  • Spending policies and income requirements
  • Board governance and investment committee structure
  • Your values and restrictions that guide investment choices
  • Your current portfolio allocation
Investment Policy Development
Together, we create or update your Investment Policy Statement (IPS), documenting:
  • Return objectives and Risk Parameters
  • Asset allocation targets and rebalancing triggers
  • Permitted investments and restrictions
  • Performance bencharks, including selecting appropriate benchmarks
  • Roles and responsibilities, including delegation of investment discretion
Portfolio Construction
Based on your IPS, we build a portfolio using:
  • Low-cost, broadly diversified index funds and ETFs
  • Strategic asset allocation tailored to your needs
  • Innovative approaches like direct indexing, where appropriate
  • Alternative asset classes like private equity and hedge funds, where appropriate
Ongoing Management and Monitoring
Your portfolio receives continuous attention through:
  • Quarterly rebalancing to maintain target allocations
  • Regular performance reporting and benchmarking
  • Annual IPS review and updates
  • Proactive communication about market conditions and portfolio changes
  • Educational resources for board, leadership and committee members

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep investment costs so low?

We primarily use institutional-class index funds and ETFs that have expense ratios often below 0.10%. We don’t use expensive actively managed funds or pay commissions to brokers. Our fee structure is transparent and aligned with your success.

How often do you make changes to our portfolio?

We rebalance quarterly or when allocations drift significantly from targets. We don’t engage in frequent trading or try to time the market. Most quarters, the primary trading activity in your account will be rebalancing trades to maintain your target allocation.

Can we access our funds if we need them?

For our Core ETF and ESG/SRI portfolios, all investments are in liquid securities that can be sold any day the market is open. Funds are typically available within 2-3 business days and your investment account can be linked directly to your bank account for easy tranfers. The Endowment Model portfolio includes some illiquid alternatives that may have lock-up periods—we’ll clearly explain the pros and cons of these before any commitments are made.

How do you handle market downturns?

We prepare for downturns before they happen through proper diversification and asset allocation. During market declines, we systematically rebalance, selling assets that have held up better to buy those that have declined, positioning your portfolio for the eventual recovery.

What if our board wants to exclude certain investments?

Absolutely. Through our ESG/SRI Portfolio approach using direct indexing, we can exclude specific companies, entire industries, or apply various screens based on your organization’s values and mandate. This customization is part of our standard service.

Do you provide education for our board, leadership, and investment committee?

Yes. We offer complimentary educational sessions for your board and committees, provide regular market updates in plain English, and are always available to explain investment concepts and answer questions. An informed board makes better decisions.

How do we know if our investments are performing well?

We provide clear monthly reports showing your performance against relevant benchmarks, both short-term and since inception. We’ll help you understand what’s driving performance and whether your portfolio is on track to meet your long-term objectives. Beyond our monthly reporting, your organization has 24/7 access to your portfolio via our client portal.

What makes your approach different from other advisors?

We’re built specifically for nonprofits and we consider ourselves an extension of your leadership team. We’re partners in advancing your mission. We understand your unique needs, from spending policies to UPMIFA compliance. We’re educators first, advisors second. Our goal is to strengthen the entire nonprofit sector by helping organizations like yours preserve and grow resources for your mission.

Can small nonprofits afford professional investment management?

Yes. Our Core ETF Portfolio is designed to be accessible to organizations of all sizes. We believe every nonprofit deserves institutional-quality investment management, regardless of asset size. Our fee structure ensures smaller organizations aren’t priced out of professional guidance.

Ready to explore how professional investment management can strengthen your organization’s financial future?
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation