Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications Ep: 241: Nonprofit Budgets Done Right: Goals Drive and Numbers Follow
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Nov 22, 2025 Budgets are more than numbers; they tell the strategic story of a nonprofit. Transitioning to goal-driven budgeting can boost creativity and collaboration. Emphasizing fiscal literacy among board members is crucial for making informed decisions. Joan Garry advocates for integrating budgeting with mission-focused goals, allowing reserves to be utilized as strategic assets for innovation. Regular revisits of budgets keep them dynamic and relevant, while collaborative drafting encourages ownership among teams.
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Budgets Tell Strategic Stories
- Numbers in a budget tell a strategic story, not just accounting math.
- Assign someone to interpret and communicate that story to inform decisions.
Lessons From Showtime Finance Rotation
- Joan recounts being rotated into Showtime's finance department and teaching storytelling with numbers.
- That experience helped the company make more strategic decisions.
Treat The Budget As A Living Tool
- A budget is a tool and a living document, not an end in itself.
- Revisit and adjust it regularly to keep it aligned with changing circumstances.