Endowments & Foundations

Tailored investment solutions to support your organization’s long-term mission.

With a long history in supporting institutions, backed by insights of the Chief Investment Office, Bank of America can help address your organization's needs and provide ongoing guidance on industry-wide best practices in mission advancement, leadership development and fiduciary review and support. Navigating the complexities of running a nonprofit institution, endowment, or foundation, and taking a comprehensive approach to your investments is far from a one-size-fits-all proposition.

Tailored Investment Management

Each nonprofit institution is unique and requires more than a single investment approach. At Merill Private Wealth Management, our approach is collaborative, flexible, and customized to the needs and preferences of each institution and is backed by the Chief Investment Office (CIO) and Bank of America's vast resources and deep level of insight into the markets. We start by understanding your organization’s goals and objectives, which guides development of actively manage institutional portfolios tailored to your organization. This includes:

  • Portfolio construction and optimization
  • Customized asset allocation
  • Goal-focused monitoring and review
  • Careful selection of managers

Fiduciary Administration

As a complement to the Philanthropic Solutions team's mission-based approach to managing your organization’s investments, an experienced group of professionals are part of the team. These team members have a deep understanding of the transparency and compliance issues faced by endowments and foundations in today’s environment. The team offers a strong focus on governance reviews along with board and staff education and development, and can help you adhere to compliance policies and improve efficiency while providing ongoing guidance on industrywide practices.

Strategic Consulting

The Philanthropic Solutions team can work with your volunteer and staff leadership to tailor strategies for your specific mission and growth goals. After understanding your strategic priorities, we define areas and specific projects in order to provide one-on-one advice, guidance, workshops, and coaching. We focus on supporting you in achieving your long-term goals for sustainability and growth while taking into consideration your philanthropic culture and communication strategy with key staff and stakeholders. Guidance and support are offered for executing key strategies in areas critical to your organization's mission, such as:

  • Community development
  • Donor development and engagement
  • Collective impact initiatives
  • Fine-tuning your value proposition
  • Growing your endowment
  • Cultivating strong board leadership (board workshops)

Connect with a Merrill Private Wealth Advisor.

Frequently asked questions

This information should not be construed as investment advice and is subject to change. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be either a specific offer by Bank of America, Merrill or any affiliate to sell or provide, or a specific invitation for a consumer to apply for, any particular retail financial product or service that may be available.

The Chief Investment Office (CIO) provides thought leadership on wealth management, investment strategy and global markets; portfolio management solutions; due diligence; and solutions oversight and data analytics. CIO viewpoints are developed for Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., (“Bank of America”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S” or “Merrill”), a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”).

Institutional Investments & Philanthropic Solutions (also referred to as “Philanthropic Solutions” or “II&PS”) is part of Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). Trust, fiduciary, and investment management services are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp., and its agents. Brokerage services may be performed by wholly owned brokerage affiliates of BofA Corp., including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”).

MLPF&S makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of BofA Corp. MLPF&S is a registered brokerdealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

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