Ask the Expert 2025

Leah Goss,

Scott Thomas
CAPTRUST

In the world of financial advisory, there is a niche with a very specific set of challenges: working with endowments and foundations. Scott Thomas of CAPTRUST has excelled at helping local nonprofits manage their assets effectively and, in the process, gain credibility with their donors.

Can you talk about your work with local nonprofit clients?

Nonprofits play a vital role in our neighborhoods, improving individual lives and serving as the backbone of successful communities. We can all give back in various ways, with monetary donations and volunteering time being the most common. As an advisor, I have a unique opportunity to help nonprofit leaders articulate their vision and align investment plans to meet those goals. I help them prioritize short-term needs while dedicating long-term resources for a sustainable future. And working with passionate volunteers is both fun and rewarding.

Is the investment approach different for nonprofit asset pools versus individual wealth clients?

I really enjoy working with both. Wealth clients tend to be retirees or those starting to prepare for life after work. The conversations tend to be centered around personal financial planning and creating a holistic strategy dealing with cash flow to meet their goals. Nonprofits tend to have committee-driven conversations focusing on making a difference and creating tiers of assets based on liquidity needs. The committees’ objectives are memorialized into an Investment Policy Statement which dictates the parameters and is reviewed on an ongoing basis.

What separated CAPTRUST from other firms?

As a fiduciary, putting your client’s interest above all else is nonnegotiable. We believe a culture of employee ownership and taking a team-based approach makes for better outcomes. We dedicate our resources to meet the specific needs of both nonprofits and wealth clients, which has led to 98% long-term client retention. But the best part of my job is helping people achieve their goals, whatever they might be.

Locations in Sacramento, Roseville and Folsom. 916-924-7527. CAPTRUST.com