Nonprofit leaders are increasingly expected to interpret financial information, manage risk, and guide strategy—often without a strong foundation in finance. This course is designed to change that.
Strengthening the Accidental Finance Leader gives you the practical knowledge, tools, and confidence to understand and use financial information to lead effectively.
If you’re making financial decisions without formal training, this course is for you.
Participants will leave better able to:
Understand the fundamentals behind accurate financial reporting, including staffing, internal controls, and compliance
Read and use basic financial reports to assess organizational financial health
Recognize key financial roles (bookkeeper, accountant, auditor, banker) and know when and how to engage them
Think strategically about budgeting, business models, and the true cost of mission delivery
Communicate financial information more clearly to staff, leadership, and boards
June 2: Leadership in Your Financial Ecosystem
This session introduces what financial leadership looks like in a nonprofit context. Participants will explore how financial responsibility shows up across roles, how culture and mindset influence financial decisions, and how to navigate the broader ecosystem of people and systems involved in financial management.
June 4: Understanding & Assessing Financial Statements
This session builds practical skills for reading and interpreting nonprofit financial statements. Participants will learn how to make sense of key reports, understand the nuances of nonprofit finance, and begin using financial data to assess organizational health.
June 9: Elements for Determining Your Financial Strategy
This session focuses on the key components that shape a nonprofit’s financial strategy. Participants will explore how to understand the true cost of their work, evaluate their business model, and use budgeting as a strategic tool rather than just a financial exercise.
June 11: Financial Sensemaking
This session focuses on how to interpret financial information and communicate it effectively to different audiences. Participants will learn how to move from raw data to meaningful insights, and how to present financial information in ways that support understanding, accountability, and decision-making.
Hosted by Nonprofit Financial Commons. Presented by:
Steve Zimmerman, NFC trainer and the founding principal of Spectrum Nonprofit Services
Kate Barr, NFC Co-founder and Strategic Advisor and former President and CEO of Propel Nonprofits
Dana Britto, NFC Moderator and the principal at Cultivar Consulting
Ruth McCambridge, Co-founder and Director of Content at the Nonprofit Financial Commons
Peter Farstad, Founder, Nonprofit Financial Acumen, LLC
Event Details
🗓 Dates: June 2, 4, 9, 11 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM MT
💻 Format: Online
💵 Cost: $750, Early Bird: $625 (ends 5/19/2026)