Nonprofits and associations
Reserve funds, operating funds, donor-restricted pools, and board-reviewed portfolios that need clear oversight and plain-English reporting.
Nonprofit page
Flat-fee institutional investment management
Investment Management for Boards, Businesses, and Nonprofits Without AUM Fees
Flames Financial Planning can support board-governed and business-held portfolios through a fixed annual retainer instead of a percentage of assets, with emphasis on IPS alignment, low-cost implementation, liquidity planning, rebalancing, and clear reporting.
Short answer
Can an Institution Hire a Flat-Fee Advisor Instead of an AUM Advisor?
Yes. A nonprofit, business, university-affiliated entity, trust company, or board-governed organization can often hire an investment advisor on a fixed annual retainer rather than paying a percentage of assets under management.
The goal is a clearer governance relationship: written scope, clear reporting, documented rebalancing process, and a fee that does not automatically rise because the portfolio balance grows.
Who this is for
Institutional Contracts Flames FP Could Support
These pages are written for organizations that know they need investment help, but do not want the advisory bill to be tied to portfolio value.
Universities and foundations
University-affiliated entities, foundations, departments, and board committees that need IPS review, reserve strategy, and committee-ready reporting.
University pageCorporate reserve portfolios
Businesses that hold operating cash, reserves, or strategic capital and want a conservative investment process without a percentage-based fee.
Corporate reserve pageTrust and fiduciary businesses
Fiduciary firms, trust offices, and related professional businesses that need outsourced investment management or portfolio support for client assets.
Fiduciary partner pageBoard-governed portfolios
Organizations that need IPS discipline, quarterly reporting, rebalancing notes, and meetings structured for directors or committee members.
Board-governed pageCustom fixed-retainer engagements
Pricing is scoped around the work required, then quoted as a fixed annual retainer.
Ask about fitScope
What the Engagement Can Include
| Need | Flat-fee institutional support | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Policy Statement | Review, drafting support, or modernization of an IPS in coordination with board leadership and counsel when needed. | The board needs a documented standard for risk, liquidity, roles, and review cadence. |
| Portfolio implementation | Low-cost index funds, Treasuries, money market funds, CDs, or high-quality fixed income depending on the mandate and account constraints. | The portfolio should match the reserve purpose, not a generic growth model. |
| Rebalancing | Discretionary or non-discretionary rebalancing process if appropriate and documented in the advisory agreement. | The organization needs repeatable oversight, not ad hoc trading. |
| Reporting | Quarterly performance reports and clear commentary for a board, finance committee, or executive team. | Decision makers need plain-English reporting they can review and retain. |
| Meetings | Biannual or quarterly meetings depending on scope, complexity, and governance needs. | Regular review keeps the portfolio tied to policy and organizational cash needs. |
Pricing
Institutional Pricing Is Quoted Separately From Household Memberships
Corporate, nonprofit, fiduciary, and board-governed portfolio relationships are quoted separately from the standard household membership tiers.
After a short fit conversation, Flames FP provides a fixed annual retainer based on the scope of work. The fee is agreed in advance and is not tied to portfolio value.
That keeps the conversation focused on the actual governance, reporting, and implementation work required, not simply the size of the account.
- The board can budget the advisory fee in advance.
- The advisor is not paid more simply because the reserve balance grows.
- The scope can match the actual work: IPS, reporting, meetings, rebalancing, and investment oversight.
- The organization can separate advisory value from product complexity or asset-gathering incentives.
FAQ
Flat-Fee Institutional Advisor Questions
Does Flames FP work with nonprofits, businesses, or institutions?
Flames FP can evaluate flat-fee institutional or business engagements where the scope, custody, fiduciary role, reporting needs, and account structure are appropriate. Typical conversations include nonprofits, reserve portfolios, fiduciary businesses, and board-governed organizations.
Can an institutional engagement be flat fee instead of AUM?
Yes. A fixed annual retainer can be quoted around the scope of work and agreed in advance instead of tied to portfolio value.
Can Flames FP help with an Investment Policy Statement?
Yes. Flames FP can help review or draft investment policy language around objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, asset allocation, rebalancing, reporting, and roles. Legal review may still be appropriate depending on the organization.
Does a flat-fee institutional advisor replace an OCIO?
Not necessarily. Some organizations need a full OCIO, custodian search, alternative investments, or complex pooled fund oversight. Flames FP is a better fit for organizations that want clear investment policy, low-cost implementation, rebalancing, and board-friendly reporting under a defined retainer.
Next step
Need a Flat-Fee Proposal for a Board or Business Portfolio?
Send the portfolio size, account purpose, current allocation, reporting needs, and meeting cadence. Flames FP can respond with fit and fixed-retainer options.