Category: Nonprofit Best Practices

Nonprofit Financial Stewardship That Will Help You Get Funded

Posted on by Anna Estes

Financial Readiness in Today’s Funding Climate The funding landscape has shifted, and many organizations are now evaluated with early filters that focus on financial readiness, risk, and stewardship rather than the mission narrative alone. Policy and economic changes, reduced funding, heightened competition for fewer dollars as demand for services increased, and evolving federal and donor expectations have raised the bar for what it means to be “funding ready.” Now, nonprofits…

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Mastering Budgeting: A Crucial Guide for Nonprofit Financial Health and Mission Fulfillment

Posted on by Haley Neitzel

In an environment of rising costs, shifting funding sources, and heightened accountability, nonprofit financial health depends on more than good intentions—it requires disciplined planning. A well-constructed nonprofit budget is one of the most powerful tools leaders have to translate mission into action, align resources with priorities, and anticipate financial risk before it becomes a crisis. Unlike a static…

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What to Consider Beyond Credentials: The Case for Nonprofit Accounting Specialists 

Posted on by Anna Estes

Many nonprofit leaders start their search for accounting services with a simple assumption: If someone has CPA credentials, then they must be qualified to handle nonprofit accounting. While CPAs are highly trained, this assumption misses a crucial point: Sector expertise matters as much as credentials. Nonprofit accounting isn’t just business accounting with a different tax status. It operates under its own rules and its own unique language. Donor restrictions, grant requirements,…

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What Is An In-Kind Donation? The Accountants’ Perspective

Posted on by Liza Gagne
The title of the article, which is “In-Kind Donation Expertise: How To Unlock Noncash Gifts.”

Most people think of accounting as a strictly monetary process. However, nonprofits worldwide receive many types of donations, and sometimes, they need resources beyond financial support.  In-kind donations provide numerous benefits to organizations that require goods or services for their mission-critical work. Plus, in-kind gifts are a popular way for donors with limited budgets to…

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What Nonprofits Need to Know About Restricted Funds

Posted on by Anna Estes

Why clear reporting, and clear rules, are the key to keeping donor trust.  Managing restricted funds is one of the most challenging accounting tasks nonprofit organizations face, even those with strong financial practices. We’ve seen it happen: A donor restriction overlooked in a spreadsheet can trigger a last-minute scramble at year-end, resulting in audit adjustments…

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Supporting Philanthropy in the Spotlight: Accounting for Celebrity and High-Profile Foundations

Posted on by Haley Neitzel

High-profile foundations (especially those associated with celebrities and public figures) bring a unique blend of influence and responsibility to the philanthropic world. With wide reach and media attention, these organizations are well-positioned to make an outsized impact. But with fame comes additional layers of risk: increased scrutiny, public pressure, and a relentless spotlight that rarely…

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