Finance

Help!! with Real Life Scenarios

How do I tell my team we need to shrink the budget?

Flip for Helia's take
So tricky. And, it's all about honesty and balance.
How you say it matters as much as what you say. Be direct. Be honest. End with confidence: "We are going to move through this and I'm glad we're doing it it together."
Find a sample script in the Budget Conversation Scripts inside "Amy's Budgeting Toolkit.

We have SO much restricted revenue!

Flip for Helia's take
Restricted revenue...I wish it didn't exist and, here we are!
The most important thing is tracking it in (your P&L and balance sheet are NOT it!). If you have a Net Asset Roll Forward (what a name!), you'll have visibility into what's actually going on — even with a LOT of restricted revenue.
Read "What Your P&L Won't Tell You."

We're bringing in the money and I have no idea where it's going...

Flip for Helia's take
Okay, first, let's celebrate that you have revenue!!!
The good news: getting your money in order is more science than art. There's actually a really clear way to think about and organize it all — and once you have a financial map, it gets a lot less overwhelming.
Read "The Financial Map You've Been Missing."

Budget season is coming….

Flip for Helia's take
I promise... it will be okay!
The thing is, the spreadsheet usually isn't the hard part. The hard part is getting honest about where you actually are: growing, holding steady, or cutting back? When everyone understands THAT before anyone touches a number, the whole process changes.
Read "Build A Budget Based In Reality."

What matters the most in a budget process?

Flip for Helia's take
The short answer: a solid plan goes a LONG way!
In general, you want a 3-month work plan with key decision points: what you're aiming for, who's involved, and when. That, coupled with solid tools (the budget template, Board memo outline) will get you 90% of the way there.
Grab the Budget Workplan in "Amy's Budgeting Toolkit."

We need to get smarter about money.

Flip for Helia's take
We probably all do(!) - and it IS doable.
There's a clear structure and process to this. You might still need to hire someone to support AND having the full rundown of what's needed goes a long way!
Get "Raj's Fiscal Practices Toolkit" here.
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Featured Collective Members

Odiaka Gonzalez Odiaka Gonzalez Operations People come to me for leadership that brings values and culture to life in every decision, from budgets to team development. I help create spaces where continuous learning, creativity, and mission alignment drive both impact and a thriving organizational culture.
Professional headshot of a smiling man with short dark hair and light stubble, wearing a gray zip-up jacket over a green checkered shirt, against a neutral gray background. Raj Thakkar Financial Management Raj has helped hundreds of nonprofits manage their finances responsibly and survive countless fiscal crises.

Want to talk to someone who’s been there?
These folks have done this work inside orgs like yours.

All Finance Articles

Story Start the Budget With Revenue, Not Expenses How Tilting Futures stopped chasing money
Odiaka Gonzalez with Odiaka Gonzalez
Resource Toolkit Raj’s Fiscal Practices Toolkit Get an honest read on your organization's financial health — and a clear prescription for where to start.
Raj Thakkar with Raj Thakkar
Article The Financial Map You’ve Been Missing Financial security is for everyone -- not just CFOs.
Raj Thakkar with Raj Thakkar
Resource Toolkit Andrea’s Net Asset Roll Forward Toolkit Finally understand what's actually going on with your restricted revenue — and make decisions from clarity instead of catching up in a panic.
Andrea Chen with Andrea Chen
Article What Your P&L Won’t Tell You  How the Net Asset Roll Forward shows you what's actually going on with your restricted revenue
Andrea Chen with Andrea Chen
Resource Toolkit Amy’s Budget Reality Toolkit Build a budget that holds up all year — and have the conversations that make it possible.
Amy Omand with Amy Omand
Article Build A Budget Based In Reality What I Learned From the Worst Year of Budget Meetings
Amy Omand with Amy Omand
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