Money Matters

Financial management involves the administration of a nonprofit’s monetary resources, and is closely connected with all aspects of your organization, including mission, strategic plan, long-term stability and reputation with your constituents. A well-developed financial plan can help your organization better meet its mission, while maintaining a sense of accountability to the public and efficiency in your programs.

Articles & Reports on Non-profit Financial Management

• Using Key Financial Indicators
• Contingency Budgeting
• Financial Analysis in Turbulent Times
• Nonprofit Financial Management
• Nonprofit Budget Tips
• Approaching an Audit
• Spending Out Grant Budgets
• Navigating the New IRS Form 990
• A Refresher on Receiving Donations

Links on Non-profit Financial Management

Web Resources

• Nonprofit Finance Fund: Articles by Clara Miller
  • Miller, Clara. Spring 2005. “The looking-glass world of nonprofit money: Managing in for-profits’ shadow universe.” The Nonprofit Quarterly, Volume 12, Issue 1. 
    A look at the critical differences between financial management in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and the problems that these differences can cause nonprofit managers
  • Miller, Clara. Spring 2003. “Hidden in plain sight: Understanding nonprofit capital structure.” The Nonprofit Quarterly, Volume 10, Issue 1.
    An introduction to capital structure for nonprofits and how it directly affects mission, program growth, and organizational stability 
• Nonprofit Genie on CompassPoint
  A collection of FAQs, including a section on 990 forms and fund management
• Nonprofit Good Practice Guide: Fundraising and Financial Sustainability
  Provides a glossary of financial terminology with links to articles, websites, and other resources

Publications

• Dropkin, Murray, Jim Halpin, and Bill LaTouche. 1998. The Budget-Building Book for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Managers and Boards. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  A more advanced book on financial management with sample budgets, worksheets, and more
• Ruegg, Debra, Susan Kenny Stevens, Terry Fraser, and Anne Howden. 2002. Budgeting Your Way to Financial Stability. LarsonAllen Public Service Group.
  A good introductory book and overview of financial management and budgeting for nonprofits
• Zeitlow, John, JoAnn Hankin, and Alan Seidner. 2007. Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Policies and Practices. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
  Offers advice, case studies, and sample checklists for both small and large nonprofit agencies; in particular geared toward nonprofit financial professionals, directors, and board members
• The Nonprofit Quarterly:
  • Pratt, J. Winter 2005. “The Looking-Glass World of Nonprofit Money: Managing in For-Profits’ Shadow Universe.” The Nonprofit Quarterly, Volume 12, Issue 4.
  • The Nonprofit Quarterly. Spring 2003. “Financial Structures.” Volume 10, Issue 1.
  • The Nonprofit Quarterly. Summer 2004. “Navigating Shifts in Revenue and Accountability.” Volume 11, Issue 2.
  • The Nonprofit Quarterly. Spring 2007. “Revenue as Destiny.”Volume 14, Issue 1.