I have big feelings about nonprofit budget, and it’s probably because I was trained in budgeting during my years in the for-profit world. Back then, I was sent to seminars and given fancy calculators that felt downright futuristic at the time.
But, most importantly, I had mentors who taught me that numbers aren’t just something to make “tick and tie.” They tell a story.
Too often, nonprofit leaders don’t get that same kind of training. They’re thrown into the deep end of financial management without a map. As a result, too many budgets become spreadsheets of anxiety instead of tools for impact.
Here’s the truth: budgets don’t have to be anxiety-inducing.
They don’t have to pit programs against development or make board members break into a sweat.
What if, instead, your budgeting process could open doors to innovation, collaboration, and creativity? Yes – creativity and budgeting can coexist.
In this episode, I’ll help you reimagine what your budget could look like for your organization, and we’ll discuss why now, more than ever, is the time to think differently. From goal-based planning to board education and reserve policies, I’ll lay out a fresh approach that will turn your budget into a roadmap for impact.
Because when we lead with goals, align our teams, and treat numbers as the story they are, we stop reacting and start steering.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
- Your Budget is More Than a Spreadsheet: How to move from controller thinking to CFO thinking that translates numbers into strategy.
- Goals Before Dollars: A practical sequence for setting annual impact goals first, and then building a budget as the vehicle to get there.
- How to End the Program v. Development Tug-of-War: A collaborative draft review that surfaces trade-offs, closes gaps, and increases ownership across teams.
- Pilot, Prove, then Scale: Quick proof-of-concepts, renewal rate fixes, and stewardship plays that unlock new and renewed revenue.
- How to Use Your Cash Reserve (Responsibly): Policy ideas and guardrails so your board feels good about investing in innovation.
- Quarterly Reforcasting Without Chaos: Treat the budget as a living tool–what to revisit each quarter and how to communicate changes.
KEY QUOTES:
- “You’ve got to start to think about numbers telling a story and make sure that there’s someone on your team, board or staff, who can help you glean that story and the implications from it.”
- “[A] budget is a vehicle, and it’s a vehicle and a roadmap to goals.”
- “We ourselves, as leaders of the nonprofit movement, have the agency and own what happens in our own organizations as it relates to goals and budgeting.”
- “Because while it is not the sexiest topic in the world, budgeting should be at its core, a very strategic conversation and endeavor.”
RESOURCES:
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sponsored By DonorPerfect
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Sponsored By DRG Talent Consulting Experts
DRG is a talent advisory group helping nonprofit organizations to identify, attract, and nurture innovative, diverse leadership. Our team of 40+ experts serves over 200 nonprofits a year of all sizes and in various sectors across the country. Learn more at drgtalent.com.
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