Elevate Your Nonprofit
Financial Skills

Money Management 101 Course Syllabus

This course includes step-by-step guidance for your Nonprofit Finances and Money Management. 

The course includes professional documents to download and customize for your nonprofit:

• Reference guides
• Pre-written and customizable templates
• Pre-programmed, automated and customizable financial workbooks

Available in MS Excel and Word; Google Sheets and Docs; Adobe PDF

Videos and Quizzes are included to enhance your learning experience and comprehension.

Module 1: Understanding Nonprofit Finances

• What Makes Nonprofit Accounting Different from For-Profit
• Key Financial Terminology Every Nonprofit Leader Should Know
• With or Without Donor Restricted Funds
• Board Designated Fund

Module 2: Budgeting and Planning

• Building a Mission-Driven Budget
• How to Create and Maintain an Annual Operating Budget
• Forecasting and Managing Cash Flow

Module 3: Financial Statements 101

• How to Read and Use the Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
• Understanding the Statement of Activities (Income Statement)
• Overview of the Statement of Cash Flows
• What to Look for in Monthly Financial Reports

Module 4: Internal Controls and Financial Oversight

• Establishing Financial Controls to Prevent Fraud
• Segregation of Duties in Small Nonprofits
• Board Responsibilities in Financial Oversight

Module 5: Fund Accounting and Donor Management

• Introduction to Fund Accounting
• Tracking and Reporting Grant Funds
• Properly Acknowledging and Recording Donations
• Common Pitfalls in Donor-Restricted Giving

Module 6: Compliance and Reporting

• IRS Form 990: What It Is and Why It Matters
• Common State-Level Reporting Requirements
• When and Why You May Need an Audit or Financial Review

Module 7: Financial Sustainability 

• Diversifying Revenue Streams: Grants, Donations, Earned Income
• Creating a Reserve Fund and Managing Liquidity
• The Role of Endowments and Major Gifts

Module 8: Working with Professionals

• How to Work with a Bookkeeper, Accountant, or Auditor
• Choosing the Right Financial Software
• What to Expect from Your Treasurer or Finance Committee

Module 9: Financial Strategy and Mission Alignment

• Aligning Financial Decisions with Organizational Strategy
• Understanding the Cost of Program Delivery
• Funding Overhead and True Costs

Module 10: Practical Tools and Case Studies

• Real-Life Financial Scenarios and How to Handle Them
• Sample Budget Template Walkthrough
• How to Use Dashboards and KPIs to Guide Financial Health