Money Matters
Money Matters
For nonprofits
Money Matters for Nonprofits demystifies financial statements and basic accounting, empowering nonprofit board members to better advise their organizations and make an even greater difference in the world.
Understand Financials to Guide Your Nonprofit with Confidence Today!
“As someone who is new to a nonprofit board, and a new treasurer, this book is invaluable. It not only teaches the financial concepts that are important to track and discuss, but also gives detailed examples of what should be reported and how. Melisa makes it easier for anyone to be comfortable giving direction to bookkeepers, speak intelligently to their board and donors, and understand the tax accountant. This is a great resource for all nonprofits!”
“I recommend Money Matters for Nonprofits to anyone who needs to understand nonprofit financial statements and the meaning and mechanics behind the line items and elements in those financials. This book is a much-needed straightforward and understandable resource full of engaging examples and illustrations that provide readers with comprehensive knowledge and insights into the financial reporting of nonprofits. A masterful teacher and expert on nonprofit accounting, Melisa writes with clarity and technical confidence in an engaging and very readable manner.”
“Melisa has accomplished the difficult task of explaining complex financial concepts with every day and easy-to-read language that even those brand new to the nonprofit world can understand. I highly recommend nonprofit board members, executive directors, or anyone that works with nonprofit finances read this book to deepen their understanding of nonprofit financial concepts and better equip themselves to deliver on their missions.”
Video Introduction to Book
Nonprofit board members know their organization must be financially healthy to do the most good, but some people find financial statements hard to decipher.
Written in an easy-to-understand style and full of real-world examples, Money Matters for Nonprofits takes the mystery out of nonprofit accounting, turning financial statements from a confusing collection of numbers into a powerful tool.
Raves and Reviews
“Money Matters for Nonprofits is a must-have resource for any nonprofit board member who seeks to assess and comprehend their nonprofit’s financial statements without the need for an accounting degree. Melisa’s detailed real-world examples make the learnings straightforward, relatable, and easy to apply.”
“Melisa captures the key elements facing nonprofit board members and explains them in a way that is understandable while still comprehensive. This book would serve well as required reading before joining a board.”
“Money Matters for Nonprofits empowers board members to achieve their mission by removing the mysteries of accounting and auditing. Melisa gives you a clear understanding of the numbers that drive nonprofits and the comfort that CPAs provide to governing leaders. Harness the power!”
“Melisa Galasso combines an impressive career in professional accounting and adult learning to offer a fresh, practical, and effective guide to nonprofit financial oversight. This is a must-read for nonprofit boards and professional staff alike!”
“As a former nonprofit auditor and current CFO of a nonprofit, I have seen firsthand the need for, and in many cases the lack of, knowledge and clarity about financials by nonprofit boards. Melisa has used clear language and examples to help bridge the “GAAP” for board members. Whether you’ve been on boards for 50 years or are completely new to the scene, this book will give you great insight. It’s a great starting place for board members as well as the executive team . . . including the CFO.”
“With so many new nonprofit organizations, there is a real need for those involved in governance of those organizations to understand their fiduciary responsibilities. In this book, Melisa explains these responsibilities in easy-to-understand terminology that everyone involved can read and put into practice to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities.”
Buy on Amazon Kindle
You serve on a nonprofit board to make a big impact. You know that a nonprofit must be financially well to do the most good. But if you’re not a numbers person or it’s been a while since you’ve worked with financials, you may find financial statements hard to decipher.
After reading this book, you will be able to
Calculate key ratios to evaluate the health of the organization
Pinpoint the elements of each financial statement including presentation options
Recall the financial statements required for nonprofit entities
Identify the key governance responsibilities of nonprofit board members
Recall practical examples of best practices for board members
Money Matters for Nonprofits demystifies financial statements and basic accounting to empower you in your role as a nonprofit board member.
“This book should be a companion for any board member, grantor, the media, and any other user of a tax-exempt entity’s financial statements. Melisa Galasso puts color around the numbers through easy-to-read stories, illustrative examples, and simple definitions. An added bonus is her inclusion of university-specific examples! If you want context for well-informed decision making, read this book and learn from one of the best accounting instructors out there!”
Get Audio Book Version
In Money Matters for Nonprofits, Melisa makes complex topics easy to understand with lots of examples and clear explanations of how financial statements work.
With this resource at your fingertips, you as a board member can help your nonprofit be financially healthy and ready to make an even greater difference in the world.
About the Author
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA, CSP, CPTD
Melisa F. Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.
Melisa is a Certified Speaking Professional, a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one of the differentiators that set her apart from other trainers.
She also serves on the FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) and AICPA Council. She previously served on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC) and is a past Chair of the NCACPA’s A&A committee. Her nonprofit volunteer board experience includes the Virginia Society of CPAs and Girls on the Run Greater Charlotte. In addition, Melisa authors the AICPA’s Not-For-Profit Accounting & Auditing Update and serves as a subject matter expert for the Center for Plain English Accounting.
“After reading this book, regardless of their prior accounting knowledge, board members will be able to understand their role in the financial reporting process and appreciate how their role serves their organizations. Melisa explains complex rules and regulations in a way that is easy to understand.”
Money Matters for Nonprofits Board Workshop
Are you interested in taking your learnings further and specifically focused on your organization? GLS can offer you a workshop for your board to apply your learnings and take them deeper to benefit all board members.
As a part of your Money Matters for Nonprofits workshop, we will review the key elements of financial statements and the related accounting requirements. We’ll discuss the accounting for assets, liabilities, net assets, revenues, and expenses. We’ll also look at the proper presentation and disclosure of financial statements.
You will then have the opportunity to apply this knowledge when reviewing key nonprofit ratios and KPIs to evaluate the financial statements. We’ll close with a look at the types of potential audits that can apply to an organization.
This interactive session is a great way to expose board members to the language of accounting for nonprofits and practically apply the book's self-assessment prompts to your organization.
Full-Day and Half-Day Options Available
Full-day training sessions can be customized to include other topics of interest to the board including fraud, governance, and leadership best practices.
This training is effective in-person or virtually. Both methods are interactive, including case studies and small group breakout discussions.
Workshop Details
Investment: Half-day $6,000. Full-day $10,000. Cost includes up to 10 copies of the book Money Matters for Nonprofits.
Contact us today to schedule your board workshop or customize a training for your organization.
“I’ve known Melisa Galasso for years as both an extremely engaged member of our association and a top-notch instructor of our NCACPA educational programs. Her ability to teach in a highly informative, entertaining manner is truly amazing. She clearly does the same for her readers in helping members of nonprofit boards—who don’t necessarily have a financial background—interpret nonprofit financial statements, enabling them to lead their boards with true strategic insight.”