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Can a Sketch Work Better Than a Financial Forecast? [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Business, financial, and operational professionals love concepts related to financial forecasts. It is our way to view an abstract complicated plan in terms of dollars and the impact on resources both positive (surpluses – add to resources) and negative (deficits – use of resources). But outside our inner circle, forecasts are often viewed with misunderstanding, trepidation, and sometimes even fear. Taking a “sketch” approach can help people to embrace financial forecasts, enhance engagement, and be more confident with planning for new projects and efforts.
Part VI, Section A of the Form 990 Shines a Light on Your Board and Governance Practices
Part VI, Section A of the Form 990 asks many probing questions related to a nonprofit organization’s “Governing Body and Management.” How an organization chooses to respond to these questions will directly impact perceptions of the quality of its management systems and the integrity of its governance practices, so be thoughtful and complete with your responses.
Past Presidents Can Be a Powerful Resource or a Missed Opportunity
I have looked at many lists of Past Presidents for nonprofit organizations and been amazed by the roster of names, but I am often disappointed at how many Past Presidents have become lost connections. High performing nonprofits keep their Past Presidents engaged and connected with meaningful active roles that are thoughtful and strategic.
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A Lesson for Nonprofits about Public Perception from the Crisis Text Line Controversy [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
A controversy involving the nonprofit organization Crisis Text Line’s sharing of anonymized data with a related for-profit entity has been a major topic of conversation recently following a lengthy report by Politico. While the specifics of this situation may be unique, this story is a lesson to all nonprofits that public perception should always be considered as one of the main factors in any decision, and this public perception can be just as important as legal formalities.
Three Tactics for Communicating Difficult Budget Issues to Your Board
Difficult budget issues can often arise quickly and unexpectedly. To maintain a high level of trust with your nonprofit organization’s Board and remain transparent, collaborative, and inclusive, be sure to communicate in a timely and thoughtful manner.
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How to Better Leverage the Position of Immediate Past President [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Every nonprofit organization has a chief Board position, often titled as President, who serves an influential and highly visible leadership role. The time served as President is active and intense, but often comes to a halt quickly once the term of office is completed. Nonprofits can ease this transition by giving more thought to the role of the Immediate Past President.
Three Attributes to Consider and Balance When Making Financial Decisions
Making financial decisions is never easy. Making sure multiple points of view, strategies and possible consequences are considered will help to optimize results and protect the organization. Three attributes to consider when making financial decisions are return on investment (ROI), safety, and confidence. These three attributes individually may appear simplistic, but together they can help shape and focus discussion and positively impact strategy and sustainability.
The Benefits of Multi-Year Budgets
I have been a strong advocate of year-end budget projections that are updated monthly throughout the year. These budget projections help nonprofit organizations to keep track of their progress while providing an opportunity to react to changing circumstances in real time. The impact on the psyche is immediate and beneficial. This impact is enhanced when paired with multi-year budgets as shown in our Multi-Year Budget Financial Dashboard Template.
Successful Charity Auctions Start with Careful Planning
Charity auctions are used by nonprofit organizations of all shapes and sizes. Organizations that are thoughtful with their investment in time and planning can realize major benefits from their charity auctions. However, many nonprofits commit to holding charity auctions without committing to the time, planning, and due diligence necessary to realize the most successful event possible. A poorly planned charity auction can potentially impact net proceeds received, damage the organization’s reputation, and even expose the organization to tax liabilities and other possible risks.
Internal Accounting Controls and the Importance of Perception
Internal accounting controls are an everyday fact of life. They protect nonprofit organizations from many types of risks ranging from theft, fraud, and diversion of assets, to errors and mistakes, to highly sophisticated scams and cyber security threats. Organizations must maintain vigorous and sustainable internal accounting control systems. However, if the perception of an organization’s internal accounting controls is weak, its ability to battle these threats will be greatly reduced.
If Theft or Fraud Happens, Do Not Make It Worse with Silence
It’s hard to find a nonprofit organization that has not been hit by a theft, fraud, or other material diversion of assets. It almost seems inevitable to happen at some point. We must continue to strengthen internal controls and stay vigilant, searching for evolving weaknesses and risk exposures. If a theft or fraud does happen, it is important to be fully transparent with messaging and avoid the tendency to go silent.
The Importance of Operating and Intermediate Cash Management Target Policies
Establishing operating and intermediate cash management target policies will provide many benefits. This simple but often overlooked cash management best practice will augment internal accounting controls, boost cash management awareness, and enhance perceptions that nonprofit organization management systems are significant and robust.
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Conferences Provide Unique Professional Developmental Opportunities [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Each year there are multiple nonprofit industry conferences that provide unique developmental learning experiences. These multi-day conferences provide interactive learning platforms that together provide enriching learning experiences that are hard to replicate in regular brief stand-alone training and educational sessions. The Nonprofit Symposium (powered by GWSCPA) is one of the best examples of a professional nonprofit industry conference done extremely well and should not be missed.
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Improving Pledge Collections Through Active Communication [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Time can get away from us quickly. This is especially true when it comes to pledges receivable. Nonprofit organizations invest a lot of time and effort in acquiring new pledges. In the rush to bring in new pledges, we sometimes relegate oversight of existing pledges to the back burner. Pledges will be less impactful if collection performance is poor. The key to success is to be thoughtful with management of pledge collections and maintain active and fresh communication with existing pledgors.
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Capacity Risks are Real and Need Attention [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Nonprofit organizations need to wake up to the fact that capacity challenges are real and can lead to increased risk exposure. Capacity risks come from many different sources and affect organizations in different ways and at times that are not predictable. Growth and unexpected disruption are the two biggest factors impacting capacity. Expanding risk management practices to include assessments related to capacity will help your organization to meet these twin challenges safely and effectively.