Blackbaud

MARCH 20, 2025

But when your organization faces funding uncertainty, strong cash flow planning can help you make data-driven decisions that provide a clear perspective and breathing room. In a Q&A conversation with consultant and nonprofit CFO Andrew Horrow , many people asked about ways to understand cash flow when funding sources were fluctuating.

Management

Blackbaud

MARCH 3, 2025

But how do you justify spending money on a budgeting tool instead of supplies for an after-school program? Here are a few considerations when advocating for technology investments in your accounting and finance departments. Would this investment speed up budgeting, provide more accurate data, or mitigate risk?

Finance

Grant Writing Made Easy

JULY 2, 2025

But when it comes to grant writing, your budget isn’t just an attachment or requirement to fulfill. Grant budgets are a crucial part of the story you’re telling funders. For better or worse, your budget can make or break your chances of funding, despite the quality of the grant narrative itself. What timeline makes sense?

Budget

Blackbaud

JANUARY 13, 2025

Ask the finance team. Finance teams can help their nonprofit organizations evaluate new revenue streams, enhancing the organizations stability and mitigating risk while intentionally experimenting with varied income sources. Even your IT team suggested selling the research tool they built to other organizations.

Finance

Ann Green's Nonprofit

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

You’ll create strategic plans, brainstorm new projects and programs, and organize campaigns to raise the necessary funds to execute your ideas. To build capacity, you not only need to fundraise efficiently but also track and allocate funds to sustain your organization’s operations as it grows. Methodology.

Finance

Blackbaud

JUNE 4, 2025

For example, a newly hired finance manager is stepping into a nonprofit with no formalized internal control policy. Without proper controls, the organization may inadvertently misuse funds, jeopardizing both its grant eligibility and reputation. Personnel Controls Require background checks for new hires in finance-related roles.

Policy

GrantNews

DECEMBER 11, 2024

On average, sources estimate that 1 in 7 applications are approved for funding. 9 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Grant 1) Target Your Funders There are many different types of funding sources, but which funding source is best for you? What are your chances of winning a grant? GrantWatch is here to help!

Grants

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

MAY 9, 2025

Your heart is racing, your inbox is a graveyard of unanswered pleas, and youre still waiting on a budget breakdown, an updated program description, and that one elusive staff bio written in something resembling human English. Or convinced the grant wont be funded anyway, so why bother? Picture this: the grant deadline is in 48 hours.

Grant Writing

Blackbaud

JUNE 16, 2025

For finance teams in donor-focused and grant-funded organizations, working hand-in-hand with fundraising partners is critical to crafting reports that truly engage and tell a story. Grant Reports Grant stewardship requires detailed reporting on how funds were allocated and whether they achieved the intended outcomes.

Finance

Blackbaud

JUNE 12, 2025

Many nonprofits rely heavily on grants to fund their missions, but successfully securing and managing grants requires a clear understanding of the grant lifecycle. The grant lifecycle refers to the full process a grant goes through from identifying opportunities and applying to implementing funded projects and reporting outcomes.

Grants

Grant Professionals Association

MAY 1, 2025

Working as a grant professional for the past 30 years, I have witnessed a honeymoon phase when you receive the exciting news that your grant is funded. For larger organizations, this could include staff from Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, etc. These are all valid concerns when you receive an award notification.

GPC

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 26, 2024

This funding can help cover various costs, including materials, studio space, and living expenses. For many artists, especially those working independently or within non-profit organizations, grants can mean the difference between a project coming to fruition or being abandoned due to lack of funds.

Grants

Blackbaud

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

As a nonprofit finance professional, you want all your data to be accurate. Maintaining compliance can protect existing funding, as well. The Importance of Accurate Time Allocation for Nonprofits Accurate time allocation is a cornerstone for nonprofit organizations, especially those with grant funding.

Grants

Blackbaud

JANUARY 9, 2025

Find the Right Number for Your Nonprofit Operating Reserves The Nonprofit Operating Reserves Initiative (NORI) Workgroup suggests that the minimum operating reserve ratio at the lowest point during the year should be 25 percent, or about three months of the annual operating expense budget. However, this is not a universal benchmark.

Contract

Blackbaud

JULY 18, 2025

But with fewer opportunities coming from federal and state programs, your organization needs to have all your financial ducks in a row if you want to earn—and keep—government funding. This guide covers the fundamentals that your finance team needs to know during every stage of the grant so you can handle it confidently from award to closeout.

Government

Blackbaud

MARCH 31, 2025

But its difficult to drive impact when your grantees cant access their funds, arent sure when the funds are arriving, and dont have a clear understanding of their requirements for using the funds. Start by making it simple for grantees to track the status of fund transfers.

Grants

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 23, 2024

When your nonprofit is just getting started, your budget for an accounting system is likely very close to $0. Those low-cost tools can be a great way to launch and gain momentum, but there comes a point for every nonprofit when the time it takes to manage your fund accounting workarounds outweighs the cost of upgrading your system.

Finance

Blackbaud

APRIL 7, 2025

Like your K12 private school budget. A well-crafted budget is essential for aligning financial resources with the strategic goals of your private school, and with the right processes and tools, it doesnt have to be stressful. Your school may have multiple budgets, each with a different purpose.

Budget

Grant Professionals Association

JULY 29, 2025

Often, the finance department handles the process, leaving grant managers unaware until after the fact. Does it clearly explain why each budget item is necessary? Make sure finance, program staff, and leadership all understand the proposal and budget inside and out. How are you planning for your next grant audit?

IT

Blackbaud

APRIL 16, 2025

The finance team shoulders immense responsibility to make sure funds are well-stewarded, often while being understaffed and under-resourced. A well-thought-out system can do the following automatically: Track Funding Sources Nonprofits often receive funding from diverse sources , such as grants, donations, sponsorships, and events.

Finance

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The purpose of grants is to fund projects, research, or programs that fulfill specific community needs or advance particular fields of study and innovation. Grant funding can be designated for multiple purposes, such as supporting social initiatives, enhancing educational opportunities, or promoting research and development.

Grant Writing

Wild Apricot

JUNE 16, 2025

Running a nonprofit comes with a long to-do list – raising funds, managing programs, keeping records, staying compliant – the list goes on. For example, if your organization isn’t a registered 501(c)(3) or you’re unsure how your classification affects funding , a fiscal agent can help bridge the gap.

Logic Model

Candid

MAY 14, 2025

But it has always been precarious, relying on a combination of government funding and razor-thin operating margins. How will shifts in government funding affect affordable housing? Now add to these pressures questions about long-standing government funding. In February 2025, our organization received from the U.S.

Finance

DoJiggy

OCTOBER 29, 2024

An effective online giving platform simplifies donations, encourages generosity, and helps churches manage their funds more efficiently. Best Free Giving Platforms for Churches Finding a cost-effective solution is crucial for churches mindful of their budgets (and who isn’t?). One of the best free options is DoJiggy.

Donation

Qgiv

JANUARY 8, 2025

According to school fundraising studies , only 64% of parents, teachers, and administrators believe their school is well-funded. Teach kids math and leadership skills: A recent study found that just 18% of high schoolers and 26% of college students said they have a somewhat high or very high knowledge of finance.

Fundraising

Assel Grant Services

DECEMBER 8, 2024

While board members play an important role in assuring agency finances and grant funds are treated ethically, they are also partially responsible for resource development that is, ensuring their organization has the resources needed to fulfill its mission. Understand the issues that could impact their nonprofit agencys finances (e.g.,

GPC

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 25, 2024

To be successful in securing grant funding, individuals must grasp the basic components involved in the grant application process, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and evaluation metrics. Grant Type Description Government Grants Funded by federal, state, or local government agencies.

Grant Writing

Grant Professionals Association

JUNE 27, 2025

Over the last 20+ years, I have been privileged to help hundreds of organizations receive significant grant funding. But often it is the effective post-award management of these funds that builds credibility with funders and creates systems for even further growth. Securing the grant itself is, of course, an achievement.

Award

NonProfit PRO

JUNE 23, 2025

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Funding

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 20, 2024

A good finance team will make sure bills are paid on time, reports are accurate, and the Board of Directors has access to the current financial statements. A good finance team will help you stay where you are. A good finance team will help you stay where you are. A world-class finance department will help you evolve.

Finance

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 30, 2024

Coffman stated in their GuideStar article : Theres no question that nonprofit organizations have an obligation to manage their finances responsibly. Unfortunately, philanthropies are typically (and problematically) judged by the first two criteria. As Chuck McLean and Suzanne E.

Metrics

The Fundraising Coach

JANUARY 17, 2025

Planning events is essential for nonprofits, whether youre raising funds, building awareness, or forging new community connections. From tight budgets to limited staffing, these hurdles can make even the simplest event feel overwhelming. Utilize Budgeting Tools: Consider using budgeting templates or software designed for nonprofits.

Budget

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 25, 2024

They usually do not require repayment, making them an appealing source of funding for many organizations. Organizations or individuals seeking grant funding should clearly understand how grants function and the requirements they entail. Research Grants Funding for academic or scientific research projects.

Grant Writing

Blackbaud

JANUARY 24, 2025

It helps you better understand your donors, keep them engaged, and work more efficiently with your finance, marketing, programs, and leadership teams. Integrating finance and fundraising makes reconciliation easier and helps improve donor stewardship. Volunteer management platforms: Keep all your volunteer information in one place.

CRM

Blue Avocado

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Nonprofit Grant Proposal Budget Calculations: A Road Map Whats the best way to make your nonprofits budget stand out on a grant application? Income inequality has forced nonprofits to rely more and more on the wealthy to fund their efforts to fight climate change. Explore the realities and challenges of food insecurity.

Budget

Blackbaud

JULY 21, 2025

Your nonprofit’s finance team is juggling restricted funds, grants, and project-specific donations, all while trying to prepare reports, stay compliant, and keep the organization’s mission on track. For nonprofits, successful automation and AI integration starts with a process to easily manage your restricted funding.

AI

Blackbaud

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Its hard to choose to put funds into operating reserves when that could help one more person transition out of homelessness. By tapping into operating reserves, organizations can bridge temporary gaps in funding without compromising their immediate operations.

Management