Too many nonprofit leaders quietly avoid their own finances, trusting that a clean audit or a capable CPA means everything is handled, and that blind spot can put a mission at real risk. In this episode, Patton talks with Sean Hale, founder of Nonprofit CFOs, who busts five money myths that hold organizations back: that the audit has them covered, that finance is the CPA’s job, that nonprofits aren’t supposed to make a profit, that confusing financial reports are just part of the territory, and that you say yes to whatever a funder asks.

A rant about grant makers who make tiny grants, that can only be used for programs, and also want an audit on top of that. Our founder, Sean Hale, gives his thoughts on this phenomenon and why nonprofits should just say no to these kinds of grants.

Just like a haircut, some budget cuts can be good and others can be bad. Nonprofits that survive difficult economic times combine strategic cuts with strategic investments.

How will your nonprofit adapt to changing federal grant priorities? Here are some ideas of how your back office can contribute to the organization’s strength, resilience, and adaptability.

Accounting-related mistakes can become quite expensive for nonprofits, especially if left unaddressed. Read here for tips on how to recognize and rectify some of the most common ones.