Insights from Nick Curran, Numbers 4 Nonprofits (April 2025)
If there’s one thing nonprofit leaders can count on, it’s change. In a recent Park Bank webinar, Nick Curran, Founder and CEO of Numbers 4 Nonprofits, shared timely advice on how nonprofits can steady the ship during unpredictable times. His session, Managing Nonprofits During Uncertainty, tackled everything from diversifying revenue to strengthening board leadership — offering reminders and new ideas that can help organizations thrive through whatever lies ahead.
Here’s a look at some of the most important takeaways.
Uncertainty Isn’t New — And Nonprofits Are Built for It
Nick opened with a powerful reminder: nonprofits have already weathered tough storms — from COVID to inflation to regulatory changes. While today’s challenges feel intense, nonprofit organizations are wired to adapt. The key is keeping your mission at the center while managing financial realities with a steady hand.
Diversify Funding Before You Need To
Federal cuts have made it more important than ever to look at your revenue mix. Nick encouraged nonprofits to take a hard look at how dependent they are on a few funding sources — and to start planning now. That might mean investing in better grant writing, strengthening recurring donor programs for more predictable cash flow, and using donor data to understand how different generations prefer to give.
Public funding is still critical, but so is expanding your reach to individuals, businesses, and foundations in new ways. Building diversity into your revenue stream won’t happen overnight, but every step toward balance improves long-term stability.
Managing Inflation and Rising Costs
Many nonprofits are already feeling the squeeze of rising prices, especially in food services and supplies. Nick suggested practical moves like negotiating with vendors, collaborating with other nonprofits for group purchasing, and moving communications online where possible to cut costs.
Efficiency matters too. Streamlining administrative processes — and automating where you can — can save both time and money, freeing up more resources for mission-driven work.
Grant Competition Is Growing — Collaboration Can Help
As grant funding becomes more competitive, nonprofits need to sharpen their impact storytelling and reporting. Nick emphasized the opportunity for nonprofits to collaborate on grant applications, partnering with other organizations to increase the size — and likelihood — of awards.
He also advised reaching out to funders who understand the importance of general operating support, not just project-specific funding. Solid relationships and clear communication with funders can make all the difference.
Strong Financial Management Builds Trust
Financial stability isn’t just about survival — it’s about building credibility with donors, funders, and your board. Nick encouraged nonprofits to move to cloud-based accounting systems, stay vigilant with internal controls, and regularly review bank statements, credit cards, and payroll to catch small issues before they become big problems.
Training your board and staff on basic financial literacy can also be a game-changer. When everyone understands the financial health of the organization, better decisions get made.
Build Cash Reserves — Even If It’s Slow
Cash is your cushion during uncertain times. Ideally, nonprofits should aim for three to six months of operating reserves. But Nick was clear: if that feels out of reach, start smaller.
Developing a realistic budget that builds a little surplus each year can, over time, create a healthy reserve without overwhelming your operations. Establishing a line of credit before you urgently need it can also give breathing room during cash flow gaps, especially for nonprofits relying on reimbursement contracts.
Board Strength Matters More Than Ever
In challenging times, the nonprofits with strong, engaged boards perform better. Nick recommended recruiting board members with diverse skills and experiences, limiting board terms to encourage fresh ideas, and having open conversations about leadership succession.
Staff burnout is real, and leadership turnover is common, so nonprofits that plan for it — instead of scrambling — are far better positioned to survive and thrive.
Focus and Celebrate Progress
With so many pressures facing nonprofits, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Nick’s final piece of advice: Don’t try to fix everything at once. Pick one or two priorities to focus on first. Make progress, celebrate the wins, and then move to the next challenge.
Small victories, like building a reserve fund or strengthening a recurring donor program, add up to long-term success. Every family housed, every student educated, every person fed counts — and deserves to be celebrated.
Final Thoughts
Managing a nonprofit during uncertain times isn’t easy — but it’s not new, either. By focusing on financial resilience, diversifying income, strengthening leadership, and staying nimble, nonprofits can continue making an extraordinary impact no matter what the future holds.
Park Bank