Nonprofit Financial Literacy Certification

Financial Literacy Certification for Nonprofit Leaders and Managers

Derik Timmerman Derik Timmerman
Nonprofit leaders are often expected to manage finances without formal training. This certification provides a clear, practical foundation in nonprofit financial literacy so leaders can understand their roles, speak the language of finance, and make informed decisions. Across five sessions, you will learn nonprofit financial roles and fiduciary duty, essential accounting and reporting terms, how to use financial information to guide behavior, how to build and manage a budget, and how to connect financial literacy to long-term mission success. No accounting degree required.

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Here's What You Can Expect From the Course

You came to the nonprofit sector to change lives, not to become an accountant. This program meets you where you are and builds the financial literacy nonprofit leaders are expected to have, without math heavy instruction or jargon.

WHAT YOU'LL BUILD A Practical Foundation in Nonprofit Finance Core knowledge you can apply immediately in leadership and board conversations.
  • Clear understanding of nonprofit financial roles and fiduciary duty
  • Working knowledge of common accounting and reporting terms
  • Ability to read and interpret nonprofit budgets
  • Confidence using financial information to guide decisions
WHAT YOU'LL ELIMINATE Anxiety Around Nonprofit Finances Replace uncertainty with clarity and shared understanding.
  • Fear of financial terminology and reports
  • Confusion about board, staff, and finance roles
  • Avoidance of budget and financial discussions
  • Feeling unprepared in leadership meetings
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN Financial Confidence as a Nonprofit Leader Speak the language of finance and lead with greater credibility.
  • Confidence communicating financial information to others
  • Stronger oversight of nonprofit finances
  • Ability to connect finances to mission outcomes

Course Outcomes

    • Understand nonprofit leadership roles and fiduciary responsibility
    • Recognize and use essential nonprofit accounting terminology
    • Interpret nonprofit financial reports at a practical level
    • Apply financial information to guide behavior and decisions
    • Build and review nonprofit budgets with confidence
    • Communicate financial concepts clearly to boards and staff
    • Strengthen financial oversight without an accounting background

Outline

This five session certification builds nonprofit financial literacy from the ground up. Participants learn leadership and fiduciary roles, financial terminology and reporting basics, how to use financial data to influence behavior, how to create and manage budgets, and how to apply financial literacy to real nonprofit decision making.

Session 1: Leadership Roles, Responsibilities, and Oversight

  • Nonprofit leadership and fiduciary duty
  • Roles of boards, staff, and finance professionals
  • Governance and financial oversight basics
  • Common financial gaps in nonprofit leadership

Session 2: Accounting Terms, Processes, and Financial Reporting

  • Essential nonprofit accounting vocabulary
  • Key financial management and reporting concepts
  • Understanding financial statements at a practical level
  • Building a shared financial language within your organization

Session 3: Using Financial Information to Guide Behavior

  • Moving from financial facts to financial action
  • Using dashboards and financial data to influence behavior
  • Performance management as it relates to finance
  • Connecting financial literacy to mission success

Session 4: Operational Planning and Budgeting

  • Operational planning in nonprofit organizations
  • Budget development and approval timelines
  • Step by step nonprofit budgeting process
  • Using real budget examples and templates

Session 5: Bringing It All Together and Certification Readiness

  • Review of nonprofit financial literacy objectives
  • Connecting roles, reporting, and budgeting
  • Applying financial literacy to leadership decisions
  • Final exam overview and certification completion
RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE

Who Should Attend?

  • Nonprofit chief executives
  • Executive directors
  • Financial officers
  • Board members
  • Development staff
  • Program directors
  • Consultants
  • Legal counsel
  • Senior management
  • Marketing staff
  • Financial staff
  • Budget managers
  • Grant managers
Course Certificate Example

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Your Instructor

Derik Timmerman
ABOUT ā€”

Derik Timmerman
  • Founder of Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions
  • Former management consultant at McKinsey & Company

Derik Timmerman is a cause-driven executive and human resources coach helping organizations maximize the world-changing impact of their people systems. In addition to coaching human resources executives at all levels, Derik is a nationally-recognized speaker and author on a variety of human resources subjects including performance management, leadership development, and top team effectiveness. Prior to founding his coaching firm, Derik was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and a US Army Intelligence Officer with two combat deployments to Iraq. Derik earned a Bachelorā€™s of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, as well as a Masters, PhD, and CFRE certification in nonprofit fundraising.

All Inclusive

The Nonprofit Financial Literacy Certification course includes the following:

  • šŸ“Š

    Two Year Course Access

    Course access for 2 full years
  • šŸ“š

    Resources

    Downloadable course materials to support learning
  • šŸŽ“

    Certification Exam

    One exam attempt included. Credentials valid for 2 years
  • šŸŽÆ

    Small, Customized Classes

    Live sessions tailored to participant needsā€”never generic

Why CareerLearning?

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    Learn from Industry Experts

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    Tailored to Industry Needs

    Programs specifically designed for various sectors like Education, HR, and Nonprofit, addressing industry-specific challenges and regulations.
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    Flexible Learning Options

    Both live and on-demand options available, learn at a pace and time that suits your schedule.
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    Potential for Certifications

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    Access to Valuable Resources

    Course materials and resources provided to support your learning and implementation of new skills.
Nonprofit Financial Literacy Certification
5 Sessions 60 Minutes Each
$0.00
Self-Paced | On-Demand Recording
$450
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Self-Paced; On-Demand (Qty: 0) $0.00
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What You'll Receive:

  • āœ“ On-Demand recording access for two years
  • āœ“ PDF slides + course resources & links
  • āœ“ Certificate of completion
  • āœ“ One certification exam attempt
Nonprofit Financial Literacy Certification
On-Demand
Certification

5 Live Sessions 60 Minutes Each

$450.00
$450.00
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Live Sessions with Recordings
$450
On Demand Recordings Only (Available now)
$450
šŸ“ž Let's Talk
Or call directly: 914-331-8883

What You'll Receive:

  • āœ”ļø On-demand access for one year
  • āœ”ļø PDF slides + course resources & links
  • āœ”ļø Certificate of completion
  • āœ”ļø One certification exam