Not-for-profit organizations cannot always control how their investments perform, but they can take steps to protect funds that are losing value.
Managing endowment investments will become even more important in the years ahead due to the changes coming to not-for-profit financial reporting. The changes will require organizations to disclose the fair value of the underwater endowed funds as well as the related original gift amount that must be maintained. The new requirements present an opportunity for organizations to reconsider their endowments and spending policies to preserve the value of such investments.