Dollars & Sense: Nonprofit Finance Initiative – Exclusively for DCNP Members

Background

The Dollars & Sense: Nonprofit Finance Initiative is:

• A progressively more intensive experience to enhance financial management skills in organizations of different sizes and levels of financial sophistication.
• Made possible by generous donors, allowing us to offer this at no financial cost to participants.
• Consists of multiple offerings including a 6-hour hands-on workshop and individualized consulting engagement.

Dollars & Sense: Nonprofit Finance Initiative Workshop

August 30: This training covers financial terminology and definitions, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial statements, and includes real-world examples to provide context for all. Both finance veterans and non-finance staff and board members are welcome! View agenda and register >

Dollars & Sense: Nonprofit Finance Initiative Consulting

Apply August 21-September 6: Through a competitive application process, up to five (5) organizations will be selected by an ad hoc committee to receive financial management technical assistance and consultation.

*All are welcome to attend the Workshop, even if you do not plan to apply for the Consulting services. Those planning to apply for Consulting services are strongly encouraged to attend the Workshop.*

Dollars & Sense: Nonprofit Finance Initiative Consulting Details

Initial Meeting & Project Identification: After organizations are selected to participate, each organization is responsible for scheduling an initial meeting with the consultant. The purpose is to build relationships, share relevant financial information, and discuss project topic, scope, deliverables, timeline, and next steps.

Consultation: The consultant will begin work on the project as defined. Written observations and recommendations will be developed by the consultant and shared with the organization.

Implementation & Wrap-Up: Approximately two months after receiving recommendations, the organization and consultant will reflect and discuss what specifically has been done to move the recommendations to action. A final evaluation will be distributed to participants to capture their feedback, experiences, testimonials, and outcomes.

*The consultant is not intended as a short-term substitute for regular/ongoing bookkeeping tasks. This is a consulting engagement to provide advice, review/create systems, and offer meaningful recommendations to enhance your financial processes.*

Applying for the Dollars & Sense Initiative

Prior to applying, all applicants should review the Details & Guidelines. Applications are submitted electronically using the link below. Contact DCNP Director Ben Bingle at ben@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383 with questions. Application period: August 21 – September 6, 2023.

Apply/Login                            Details and Guidelines                             Register for Workshop

Presenters & Consultant

Presenter & Consultant: Betsy Hull, CPA, MPA, Northern Illinois University Director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovative Practices, serves as the consultant providing technical assistance and consultation services to the selected organizations. She has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations of all sizes as a volunteer, board member, staff (former Finance Director of the DeKalb County Community Foundation), and consultant. Betsy has taught at NIU, authored case studies on nonprofit finance, and collaborates regularly with DCNP, including during Give DeKalb County.

Presenter: Kay Riley, CPA, MS, DeKalb County Community Foundation Finance Director, has over 30 years of experience in accounting, budgeting, and finance in the for-profit world, and two years at the Community Foundation. She has served as a board member and Treasurer for several nonprofits and has guest lectured in NIU graduate accounting classes.

Presenter: Jolene Willis, MPA, DeKalb County Community Foundation Grants Director, is responsible for coordinating, evaluating, and supervising the Community Foundation’s grant programs and scholarship awards, including supporting staff in those roles. Previously , Jolene worked for five years as the economic development coordinator for the DeKalb County government. She’s worked in nonprofit and higher education sectors for more than 20 years, specializing in community-based renewable energy projects, cooperative business development, and community economic development, all which involved grant procurement and contract administration with local, state and federal funding sources.