An SEI Quick Poll released Thursday found that nonprofit finance executives say their highest investment priority for 2011 is to make asset allocation changes focused on downside risk protection. Four out of five poll participants (82%) view this as a priority for the year, with 76% of that group identifying it as a "high" or "extremely high" priority. Additionally, nearly 40% of respondents said their organization is open to including an outsourced investment provider in their next search for consultative services.
"Nonprofit investment committees are tasked with an enormous set of responsibilities in a very complex investment environment," John Paul Cavaliere, senior analyst for nonprofit advice for SEI's Institutional Group, said in a statement. "The increased trend of nonprofits looking at outsourced investment models is a direct result of committees looking for ways to delegate some time-consuming investment functions to allow for a greater focus on risk protection and return enhancement."