Every year Colorado Gives Foundation hosts an annual investment meeting to reflect on the previous year’s market performance and discuss what we can expect for the current year. This year’s event, The Future in Focus, was held Feb. 27, 2025.
Erik Daubert: Federal Policies and Nonprofits
The morning began with an insightful presentation by Erik Daubert, an advanced certified fundraising executive, who shared his thoughts on the potential impact of proposed federal policies on nonprofits.
With more than 37,168 nonprofits in Colorado (according to ProPublica), the nonprofit sector is a “an important part of Colorado’s economic engine,” said Daubert. Equally important is the reliance upon funding from the federal government to support nonprofits.
Daubert highlighted the sector’s reliance on federal funding, noting that 59% of Colorado nonprofit 990 filers with government grants are at risk, particularly human services organizations.
Daubert also provided a brief civics refresher to remind the audience of the three branches of our federal government. He concluded by citing a recent study from The Nonprofit Alliance which reports that despite current tensions, recognition and support for nonprofits appears to be a bi-partisan issue. Still, the big question everyone wanted to know was, “what do the recent executive orders mean for my nonprofit?” The answer? It’s too early to really understand the impacts. Daubert did, however, provide ideas on what nonprofits can be doing now to stay informed and keep donors engaged. Check out his presentation below. (Resource: Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits – National Council of Nonprofits)
Erik Daubert’s Full Presentation:
Robert Morris: Market Performance and 2025 Outlook
The second half of the annual investment meeting featured Robert Morris, executive director of Graystone Consulting, a division of Morgan Stanley. Graystone acts as our Outsourced Chief Investment Officer, or OCIO, and works with our finance and investment committee that oversees the financial health of the Foundation to manage our investment portfolios. He presented a recap of the 2024 capital market performance and provided a 2025 outlook:
2024 Recap: The US equity market saw a second consecutive year of strong returns, with the S&P 500 surging 25%. Economic growth and market performance was driven by enthusiasm for artificial intelligence, perceived lower interest rates and controlled inflation. The bond market rose modestly (1.3%) as yields fluctuated, and the yield curve began to normalize.
2025 Outlook: Morris discussed the economic impact of natural disasters, executive orders, and regulatory and tax changes. While some policies may boost growth and confidence, others, like tariffs and immigration changes, could dampen the overall effect. He advised investors to focus on specific companies or sectors poised to benefit from these changes.
The event provided valuable insights into the intersection of federal policies, nonprofit sustainability and market dynamics, equipping attendees with strategies to navigate the year ahead.
Robert Morris’ Full Presentation:
Other Meeting Resources:
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Tim Zeckser
Endowment Manager
