Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - Control: Operations, Budgeting, and Finance
A summary of the key concepts in the chapter

Nonprofit Information Management Basics, February 2017 (10:22)
“We briefly explore the five keys to nonprofit information management success: leadership, operations, processes, data, and technology.” Build Consulting.
Employee Performance Management Software, April 2020 (1:40)
The Primalogik website there are three short videos on this vendor’s website to help you better understand the features of their performance management software.
Comparing 3 CRMs for Non-Profit Organizations, February 2021 (29:19)
“An overview of SugarCRM, Zendesk, and Monday.com and how good they are as an option for Non-Profit Organizations looking for a robust CRM solution.” Eligeo CRM Inc.
SMU DataArts - Building Blocks for Small Organizations: Budgeting Basics, November 2020 (42:31). “In this session, we explore the annual budget process: why budgeting is critical, and how to use a budget template, create different types of budgets for different audiences, and monitor your budget throughout the year.” SMU DataArts at https://culturaldata.org/
Effective Nonprofit Financial Management Using StrongNonprofits.org, May 2021 (5:19)
“Not-for-profit enterprises need strong financial management to ensure they can deliver the best services possible to the people who depend on them.” Wallace Foundation
Nonprofit Accounting
[NOTE: The NonprofitReady.org website has over 500 free courses that you can explore if you are interested in career development. Courses in finance and accounting are included among the offerings.]
Intro to FASB Updates, July 2019 (9:29), The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF)
“In 2016, FASB issued updates and guidance to simplify and improve the information presented in financial statements. NFF's Alice Antonelli clarifies exactly what's changing, what this means for your organization, and how to use these changes to better tell your organization's financial story.”
FASB Updates: Net Assets, Expenses, and Liquidity, July 2019 (8:50) The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF). Discusses FASB updates to net assets, expenses, and liquidity.
Nonprofit Accounting Overviews for Accountants, May 2018 (47:00)
This video provides an overview of nonprofit accounting basics. As it says, it is for accountants, so it assumes the listener already has an understanding of accounting concepts.
Planning, Monitoring, and Organizational Assessment Resources

501 Commons: Free Online Organizational Self-Assessment

For each standard in the assessment, choose which of the four performance levels most accurately describes your organization. The 58 standards fall into these Five Elements of a Healthy Nonprofit:


Organizational Assessment Questionnaire for Nonprofit Organizations (12-page PDF)

“This free assessment tool can be used to get a reasonable impression of the quality of the most important practices in your nonprofit organization. It can be done by one or more people from your organization. You could use the results of this assessment tool to 1) do an internal analysis as part of strategic planning activity, 2) assess how well your organization compares to various best practices, and 3) develop a common understanding among leaders regarding what needs to be done to improve your organization.”https://managementhelp.org/misc/nonprofit-noboard-eval-fml.pdf


Management Information System (MIS): What’s Needed to Set Up an Office Network

“As a nonprofit, you likely have many questions about how to properly set up a network for your office and team. What considerations should you keep in mind as you set up your office network? What components do you need? What does each component do, and what considerations should you keep in mind?” TechSoup.org

https://blog.techsoup.org/posts/networking-for-small-offices
Employee Assessment Tools and Risk Management

HRweb

“Our mission is to provide truly useful management tools for employers, educators, and government offices to track vital employee information, to make these tools powerful, yet simple to use, and to provide these tools at an affordable price, backed by first-class support.”http://www.hrweb.com/

 

Performly

This company offers three tools: performance management, an internal communication system, and payroll services. “Performly helps you streamline, manage and automate all of your HR processes and workflows through Performly.”

https://www.performly.com/

 

Nonprofit Risk Management Center

“The Nonprofit Risk Management Center inspires effective risk management and Risk Champions across the nonprofit sector. We enable nonprofit leaders to identify and manage risks that threaten their missions and operations while empowering them to leverage opportunities and take bold, mission-advancing risks.” [See the Apps and Resources tabs on the Risk Management website.]https://nonprofitrisk.org/

Financial Management and Investing

Cognitive Bias in Behavioral Finance

“Cognitive errors play a major role in behavioral finance theory and are studied by investors and academics alike. This guide will cover the top 10 most important types of biases.”https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/trading-investing/list-top-10-types-cognitive-bias/


Balance Sheets and Nonprofit Financial Management

Best practices in non-profit portfolio design

There is a four-page PDF about investment portfolio design at the “Download Research” link. https://russellinvestments.com/us/insights/articles/best-practices-in-non-profit-portfolio-design

 

Investment Strategies: The Care and Feeding of a Healthy Organization

Nonprofit Risk Center

“Healthy nonprofits are committed to maintaining a steady, robust income stream; developing and implementing sound investment strategies; and paying daily attention to accounting controls.”https://portal.nonprofitrisk.org/library/articles/internalcontrol01222003.shtml


 

Propel Nonprofits – Balance Sheet Cheat Sheet [Download two-page PDF]“The balance sheet – also called the Statement of Financial Position – serves as a snapshot, providing the most comprehensive picture of an organization’s financial situation.”https://www.propelnonprofits.org/resources/balance-sheet-cheat-sheet/


Propel Nonprofits - Ratio Analysis Tool

This tool includes 14 financial ratios, which will allow you to explore more options than shown in Fig. 9.14. Download the Excel worksheet at this link.

https://propelnonprofits.org/resources/ratio-calculation-worksheet/


Wallace FoundationStrong Nonprofits Toolkit: Resources to strengthen your nonprofit financial management

Tools for budgeting, cash flow, operations, data and analysis, audit readiness, and governance and strategy.

https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/resources-for-financial-management/pages/default.aspx
Software for Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Accounting and Bookkeeping Software

Financial Edge by Blackbaud – Multiple tools for accounting and fund management

Why fund accounting software for nonprofits is important

“Nonprofits are held to a high standard of accountability and transparency and are required to comply with industry accounting and reporting standards to maintain nonprofit status. Commercial accounting systems are ill-equipped to meet these needs, resulting in inefficient processes, error-prone data, and lack of internal controls. Effective management of diverse revenue streams requires a financial system tailored to the unique needs of nonprofits and charitable foundations.”

https://www.blackbaud.com/solutions/financial-management/fund-accounting  

QuickBooks for Nonprofit “QuickBooks helps track donations, invoicing, bookkeeping, and all your accounting needs.”

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/industry/non-profits/


  Software4Nonprofits – Bookkeeping Software for smaller nonprofits

“ACCOUNTS is an easy-to-use, affordable, and powerful solution best suited to small and mid-sized organizations. It is intended primarily for basic bookkeeping and easy, automatic fund accounting.”

http://www.software4nonprofits.com/accounts/  


TechSoup

“TechSoup offers software, services, and training to help nonprofits with bookkeeping, donation and payment processing, tax preparation, and financial planning.” There is a link to 15 nonprofit accounting and finance software plus 5 payment and donation processing products

https://www.techsoup.org/accounting
Project and Workflow Management and CRM Tools (often priced on a per-user basis)

[NOTE: Some of these companies have free but limited-use versions of their software, and others offer discounts to nonprofits. These systems often combine multiple functions and can be used as an organization’s MIS and for fundraising.) 


Asana

“Bring your team’s work together in one shared space. Choose the project view that suits your style and collaborate no matter where you are.”

https://asana.com/

 

Basecamp

“Before Basecamp: Projects feel scattered, things slip, it’s tough to see where things stand, and people are stressed. After Basecamp: Everything’s organized in one place, you’re on top of things, progress is clear, and a sense of calm sets in.”

https://basecamp.com/

 

Monday.com

“Boost your team’s alignment, efficiency, and productivity by customizing any workflow to fit your needs.”

https://monday.com/

 

Neon CRM

“For small to midsize nonprofits, Neon One products help you manage your fundraising, communications, events, volunteers, and more.”

https://www.neoncrm.com/

 

Propared

Production Planning Software for Arts and Events Organizations

https://www.propared.com/

 

Salsa

“Salsa's SmartEngagement Technology combines CRM and nonprofit engagement software with embedded best practices, machine learning, and world-class education and support.”

https://www.salsalabs.com/

 

Slack for Nonprofits

“Nonprofit teams can use Slack to collaborate better by sharing messages, tools, and files in dedicated channels. Channels can be organized by team, project, or whatever else is relevant to your nonprofit.”

https://www.techsoup.org/slack

 

Setting up Slack for Your Nonprofit by Kathleen Pequeño, (January 2018)

“I wrote previously about why I think Slack is a great tool for internal communication for many nonprofits. But like any tool, if your nonprofit doesn’t plan for a strong adoption, Slack won’t seem like it works better than email. Here are five tips to start your organization off right in Slack.”

https://kathleenpequeno.com/2018/01/setting-up-slack-nonprofit/

 

SugarCRM 

“Only Sugar delivers a CRM platform that helps teams achieve high-definition customer experience.”

https://www.sugarcrm.com/

 

Trello

“Start with a Trello board, lists, and cards. Customize and expand with more features as your teamwork grows. Manage projects, organize tasks, and build team spirit—all in one place.”

https://trello.com

 

Virtuous

“Virtuous Nonprofit CRM streamlines donor management and provides data-rich insights so your teams can focus on stewarding donors and moving your mission forward.”

https://www.virtuous.org/software/nonprofit-crm/

 

Zendesk: Customer service software

“Zendesk makes customer service better. We build software to meet customer needs, set your team up for success, and keep your business in sync.”

https://www.zendesk.com/

 

Zoho (CRM)

“Zoho CRM is a customizable and integrated donor management platform that makes every mission possible for non-profits of all types and sizes.”

https://www.zoho.com/crm/non-profit/?src=crm-header