Avoid Common Nonprofit Pitfalls

Michael Phillips didn't take the straight path to running a nonprofit — he was a local TV news producer who started volunteering at Su Casa teaching adult English. In 2018 the board asked him to help find their next executive director. He couldn't think of anyone, so they asked him.Eight years later Su Casa has grown from a $300,000 budget and eight employees to $1.5 million and nearly thirty staff. But the part of this conversation worth your time is what happened about a year and a half ago, when the full-time preschool they'd bet the organization on wasn't paying for itself and Michael didn't know if it would survive.We get into what it took to see the real gap in the numbers, how he went back to his largest donors and told them plainly what was at stake, why he decided that shrinking was the riskier choice, and what changed in him when he stopped leading out of fear. Along the way: what he learned about fundraising from years of being unable to say the real number out loud, what makes a board actually useful, and why measuring impact in this work is harder than it looks from the outside.Su Casa Family Ministries serves Latino immigrant families in Memphis through a bilingual preschool, adult English classes, and family support.

Outdated systems making things harder than they need to be? Sam and Daniel walk through the three areas every nonprofit should look at—tech, workflow, and team—to figure out what’s slowing you down and how to fix it. You’ll walk away with clear next steps on a better path forward.What You’ll Learn:Tech That Works for You: Why legacy systems hold you back—and how platforms like QuickBooks Online or Sage Intacct can streamline operations.Smarter Workflows: Spotting bottlenecks, reducing redundancy, and switching from checks to ACH to save time and reduce risk.Leading Through Change: How strong leadership and cultural buy-in help teams embrace modernization instead of fear it.Getting Unstuck: When to bring in outside help, how to prioritize changes, and why sustainable improvements beat disruptive overhauls.Schedule a Consultation: https://www.cfoleverage.com/contact/Resource CenterPodcast: https://feeds.transistor.fm/maximize-your-impact-by-c-f-o-leverageBlog: https://www.cfoleverage.com/blog/

Are potential federal grant changes putting your nonprofit’s financial stability at risk? In this episode, Sam and Daniel discuss how executive directors and board chairs can navigate recent policy news to build long-term financial resilience. Learn proactive strategies to protect your nonprofit’s mission and maintain financial health.What You’ll Learn:Federal Grant Volatility & Your Nonprofit: Navigating potential political shifts, understanding funding cycles, and mitigating grant risks.Cash Flow Management: Maintaining reserves, securing access to credit, and planning for reimbursement delays.Financial Resilience at the Board Level: Diversifying funding, spotting financial red flags, and strengthening oversight.Fundraising & Donor Engagement: Engaging major donors, improving banking relationships, and expanding funding sources.Crisis Planning & Risk Management: Preparing for funding gaps, communicating with your board, and making data-driven decisions.Schedule a Consultation: https://www.cfoleverage.com/contact/Resource CenterPodcast: https://feeds.transistor.fm/maximize-your-impact-by-c-f-o-leverageBlog: https://www.cfoleverage.com/blog/

Are financial controls a challenge for your nonprofit? In this episode, Sam and Daniel discuss how nonprofits can strengthen their financial foundation by implementing best practices and leveraging the right tools to prevent fraud, improve efficiency, and support long-term success.What You’ll Learn:- Overcoming Financial Challenges: Address common obstacles nonprofits face, from fraud risks to unorganized finances.- Using Financial Controls: Discover how nonprofits can implement controls like segregation of duties and automated approvals.- Budgeting for Success: Learn how to use budgets effectively to align spending with organizational priorities.- Technology & Tools: Explore solutions like Bill.com, online fundraising platforms, and banking tools that improve efficiency.- Financial Growth & Compliance: Learn when nonprofits prioritize financial controls and how strong systems drive long-term success.Have questions or need personalized advice? Contact us to learn how we can help you maximize your impact.Schedule a Consultation: https://www.cfoleverage.com/contact/Resource CenterPodcast: https://feeds.transistor.fm/maximize-your-impact-by-c-f-o-leverageBlog: https://www.cfoleverage.com/blog/

Are operational challenges holding back your nonprofit? In this episode, Sam and Daniel discuss how nonprofits can adopt for-profit principles to overcome obstacles and stay focused on their mission.What You’ll LearnCustomer-First Mindset: Learn how exceptional client service, speed, and decision-making build trust and deliver value.Overcoming Challenges: Address funding constraints, unorganized finances, and limited real-time decision-making.Operational Efficiency: Discover how technology and proactive problem-solving improve financial processes.Hiring and Culture Fit: Find the right people who align with your mission and bring the necessary skills.Strategic Focus: Build strong financial systems and maintain compliance for future growth.Have questions or need personalized advice? Contact us to learn how we can help you maximize your impact.Schedule a Consultation: https://www.cfoleverage.com/contact/Resource CenterPodcast: https://feeds.transistor.fm/maximize-your-impact-by-c-f-o-leverageBlog: https://www.cfoleverage.com/blog/

Struggling to manage gift designations effectively? In this episode, Sam and Daniel share strategies to help nonprofits streamline processes and optimize financial management.What You’ll Learn:- Types of Gifts: Understand unrestricted, temporarily restricted, and permanently restricted gifts.- Tracking Challenges: Learn how to track designated funds accurately and avoid common accounting errors.- Non-Cash Contributions: Discover the hidden costs and considerations of accepting non-cash gifts like vehicles or property.- Grant Management: Get insights on managing grants with strict requirements and avoiding overcommitment.- Gift Policies: Explore the importance of clear gift acceptance policies to guide staff and align with your goals.Have questions or need personalized advice? Contact us to learn how we can help you maximize your impact.Schedule a Consultation: https://www.cfoleverage.com/contact/Resource CenterPodcast: https://feeds.transistor.fm/maximize-your-impact-by-c-f-o-leverageBlog: https://www.cfoleverage.com/blog/

Is your nonprofit’s financial foundation as strong as it should be? In our latest podcast episode, we explore the top mistakes nonprofits make in their accounting and bookkeeping—and how to avoid them.Key InsightsAdministrative Foundation: Learn why neglecting administration leads to staff burnout and long-term challenges.Common Mistakes: Identify issues like poor internal controls and founder-driven mismanagement.Leveraging Technology: Break geographical barriers to find top financial partners.Ensuring Clean Audits: Set up systems that streamline audits and boost donor confidence.Sustaining Nonprofits: Build a foundation that supports long-term growth beyond the founding team.Have questions or need personalized advice? Contact us to learn how we can help you maximize your impact.

Welcome to the debut episode of Maximize Your Impact a CFO Leverage Podcast, with hosts Daniel Weaver and Sam Coates. CFO Leverage is dedicated to empowering nonprofits to achieve their highest potential in making a difference. With a focus on administration and accounting expertise, we build robust financial foundations that enable organizations to serve their communities effectively. In this podcast, we provide tips, best practices, and stories from other nonprofit leaders to help you build a strong administrative and financial system for your organization, ultimately maximizing its impact. In today’s episode, we unpack the fundamentals of financial and administrative systems and their value to organizations, particularly nonprofits. We discuss why you should consider joining the nonprofit space, the non-monetary benefits of working for a nonprofit, and the work environments they offer. Discover why customer relations are vital, the areas where CFO leaders need to improve, and the importance of maintaining quality while automating communication. Explore the value of building processes, the secret to fostering personable relationships, ways CFO Leverage can help nonprofits increase their impact, and more! To learn how to take your organization to the next level and maximize your potential with CFO Leverage, tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:Daniel’s background and how he went from being an auditor to getting audited.Find out what percentage of CFOs are actually certified accountants.The benefits of shifting to a nonprofit organization.Common mistakes and pitfalls nonprofits should avoid.Sam’s career experience and lessons from his entrepreneurial journey.Maintaining administrative and financial standards while scaling. What CFO leaders can do differently regarding customer satisfaction.Hear about the various tools Sam uses to increase productivity.Explore the value of customer relationships and effective communication.Discover the differences between nonprofit and for-profit companies.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:CFO LeverageDaniel WeaverDaniel Weaver on LinkedInDaniel Weaver on XSam Coates Sam Coates on LinkedInSam Coates on X