Mission + Markets

Hosted by CAPTRUST

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Mission + Markets empowers endowments and foundations to pursue their mission-driven goals by exploring trends and best practices related to mission engagement, fiduciary governance, and investment management. Hosted by CAPTRUST's Director of Endowments and Foundations Heather Shanahan, Mission + Markets shares research, resources, and recommendations from industry insiders so your nonprofit can focus on what's most important—the mission.

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23 recent

March 19, 2026Episode 2326 min

Episode 23: Inside the Donor Mindset

In this episode of Mission + Markets, host Heather Shanahan is joined by CAPTRUST Wealth Advisor Spencer Brown to explore how individual donors are thinking about charitable giving—and what that means for nonprofits navigating today's fundraising pressures. Drawing on insights from an advisor survey, they discuss common giving vehicles, evolving tax considerations, and the motivations that drive donor decisions. The conversation offers nonprofit leaders a clearer view into donor priorities, trade-offs, and opportunities to engage supporters more strategically. Want to hear more? Subscribe to Mission + Markets for more insights for nonprofits and mission-focused organizations.

December 8, 2025Episode 2224 min

Episode 22: Turning Adversity into Opportunity

In episode 22 of Mission + Markets, host Heather Shanahan welcomes Dalia Wimberly, executive director of The Resiliency Collaborative, for a candid conversation about turning a hardship into strength. Dalia shares the organization's journey through a financial crisis, the bold steps taken to rebuild trust, and the cultural and structural changes that strengthened its foundation. From tightening internal controls to embracing transparency and community, this conversation offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders navigating risk, governance, and resilience. Want to hear more? Subscribe to Mission + Markets for more insights for nonprofits and mission-focused organizations.

November 19, 2025Episode 2145 min

Episode 21: Unlocking Private Markets for Nonprofits

In this episode of Mission + Markets, Heather Shanahan sits down with CAPTRUST advisors David Ramsour and Elliot Greenberg to unpack private markets and alternative investments—and what they mean for nonprofit portfolios. Together, they break down strategies such as private equity, private credit, real estate, and hedge funds, focusing on how these approaches can enhance returns, manage inflation risk, and add diversification. The discussion also covers emerging trends in sectors like multifamily housing, industrial properties, and data centers. For leaders steering endowments, foundations, or large institutional portfolios, this episode delivers practical strategies to strengthen investment resilience and capture long-term opportunities in private markets. Want to hear more? Subscribe to Mission + Markets for more insights for nonprofits and mission-focused organizations.

October 15, 202526 min

Episode 20: Insurance Insights for Nonprofits

In this episode of Mission + Markets, host Heather Shanahan welcomes Peter Persuitti, global managing director at Gallagher, for a deep dive into the insurance needs facing nonprofits. From navigating complex coverage and fiduciary responsibilities to exploring the power of pooling and alternative risk financing, Peter shares strategies and trends that can help nonprofit leaders protect their organizations and refocus resources towards mission-driven impact. This conversation offers clarity on board governance, risk management, and the evolving role of insurance in the endowments and foundations sector. Want to hear more? Subscribe to Mission + Markets for more insights for nonprofits and mission-focused organizations.

June 9, 202533 min

Episode 19: Tax Reform, Endowments, and Donor Strategy

In episode 19, host Heather Shanahan is joined by Ed Chaney, nonprofit tax attorney at Schell Bray, and Mike Vogelzang, Chief Investment Officer at CAPTRUST, to discuss the potential ripple effects of the latest tax reform proposals on the philanthropic landscape. With the 2025 expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) on the horizon and a new tax bill advancing through Congress, Heather, Ed, and Mike unpack what's at stake for private foundations, colleges and universities, and individual donors. From increased excise taxes and asset thresholds to the strategic appeal of donor-advised funds, this timely conversation examines how institutional and individual giving may shift in response—and what nonprofit leaders and fiduciaries should be doing now to prepare. Want to hear more? Subscribe to Mission + Markets for more insights for nonprofits and mission-focused organizations.

May 12, 202523 min

Episode 18: Activating Volunteers

In episode 18, Heather Shanahan chats with Rose Thompson, Executive Director of Activate Good, a program that connects volunteers with community service opportunities. Activate Good teams up with local and national organizations to support community service and has grown its efforts to include youth, corporate, and community initiatives. Thompson talks about how vital volunteers are and how the organization helps nonprofits by offering skills-based and youth volunteer opportunities. Thompson and Shanahan also discuss the perks of corporate volunteerism and how teamwork can drive meaningful change. Want to hear more? Subscribe to Mission + Markets for more insights for nonprofits and mission-focused organizations.

December 10, 2024Episode 1727 min

Episode 17: A Capital Campaign Journey

When raising funds for a new library, do you go by the book or write a new chapter? Join host Heather Shanahan and guest Charity Tyler, executive director or the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation as they take us on a capital campaign journey. What worked? What didn't? Find out in Episode 17 of our Mission + Markets podcast.

October 29, 202423 min

Episode 16: Youth Ambassadors of Service

In episode 16 of Mission + Markets, host Heather Shanahan welcomes Sonali Ratnasinghe, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the founder of Youth Ambassadors of Service (YAS). The organization teaches young people about the nonprofit sector, encouraging them to engage in community service. This passion project started during the COVID-19 pandemic and evolved into a 501(c)(3) organization. In the podcast, Sonali shares her recent experiences, including participating in the UN General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative, sharing valuable insights on youth involvement in nonprofit organizations.

July 31, 2024Episode 1530 min

Episode 15: A Fundraising Makeover

What changed after a legal services nonprofit received a professional analysis of its fundraising efforts? In episode 15 of Mission + Markets, host Heather Shanahan welcomes Missy Hatley of Legal Aid of North Carolina and Shannon Williams of Armstrong McGuire to talk about strategic fundraising. How can organizations be more effective? How can nonprofits get board members to play to their fundraising strengths? What's new and innovative in the world of fundraising? And finally, could your nonprofit benefit from a thorough development assessment? Subscribe to Mission + Markets for more insights for nonprofits and mission-focused organizations.

June 17, 2024Episode 1422 min

Episode 14: Conducting an Auditor RFP

One important step nonprofit leaders should consider is bringing on an auditor. Depending on the organization's size and composition, there are different types of audits that can be conducted, with various levels of cost and complexity. In this episode, host Heather Shanahan dives into all things audits with Certified Public Accountant Robyn Campbell. Listen as they discuss why—and how—supply and demand issues are impacting the industry, plus key questions to include when conducting an auditor request for proposal (RFP).