Back to All Events

December workshop: Finance Essentials for Nonprofit Executives and Program Leads

  • Quad Cities Community Foundation 852 Middle Road / Suite 100 Bettendorf, IA, 52722 United States (map)

Workshop Title: Finance Essentials for Nonprofit Executives and Program Leads

Workshop Description:
Are you a CEO or Executive Director and dread dealing with your organization’s financial operations or with the financial reporting demanded by your volunteer leadership? Are you someone with program leadership and who hates the budgeting forecasting part of your job? Are you a grant seeker and find the financial reports sought by grant funders the worst part of your grant applications? Do finances make you feel overwhelmed or uncertain in your role as a nonprofit leader?

Whether you’re a CEO, Executive Director, or program lead, managing budgets, financial reports, and forecasts can often feel daunting. Join Lee Gaston MBA and experienced nonprofit finance expert, to gain practical, approachable strategies for making financial management a tool that strengthens your organization and supports your mission.

Through real-world insights and actionable guidance, Lee will break down what you need to know about financial reports, budgeting, and accountability, helping you feel empowered to engage with your organization’s financial health more confidently. This session will cover core finance topics and will allow for Q&A so participants can dive into the challenges they are currently facing.


Key Topics Include:

  • Clarifying the role of financial operations in supporting organizational goals.

  • Essentials every leader should know about financial reports, including the balance sheet and income statement.

  • How to collaborate effectively with finance professionals so you can focus on your core responsibilities.

  • Custom topics based on participant needs, which may include:

    • Strengthening financial literacy in your team.

    • Addressing challenges with grant accounting and managing restricted funds.

    • Creating a right-sized approach to budgeting and forecasting.

    • Implementing strategies to reduce fraud risks.

    • Navigating the annual audit process and understanding Form 990.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will:

  1. Understand key financial statements and how to interpret them to inform strategic decision-making.

  2. Identify essential finance functions they can confidently delegate to finance staff.

  3. Develop strategies to increase financial literacy across their team and build a stronger culture of accountability.

  4. Recognize practical steps to mitigate financial risks, manage cash flow, and ensure sustainable budgeting practices.

  5. Leave with greater confidence in using financial insights to support both mission-driven outcomes and financial sustainability.

Price: $35