The JOY’s Of Nonproft Budgeting. . .. Really!

Expert insights on transforming budgeting at your nonprofit from a necessary evil into a strategic tool for growth and sustainability. In this lively Nonprofit Show Power Week episode, cohosts Julia Patrick and Wendy Adams are joined by Ariella Reiss, from Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC). She turns the often-dreaded topic of budgeting into an empowering conversation for nonprofits. . . . with wit, wisdom, and a touch of inspiration.

Budgeting, as Ariella explains, is not just about balancing the books—it’s about dreaming big and setting your organization up for success. “The budget process is the one moment that you have all year to dream big… plan for a surplus,” she says, flipping the script on the traditional nonprofit mindset. Rather than approaching budgeting with fear and scarcity, Ariella encourages nonprofits to plan for a financial cushion—a rainy-day fund—that can help them thrive, not just survive.

And it’s not just about numbers. Ariella passionately advocates for involving staff in the budgeting process, calling for a bottom-up approach where team members are invited to share their insights. “Involve as many staff members as practical…make them feel like the subject matter experts,” she says. By doing so, nonprofits can build a budget that not only reflects their immediate needs but also fuels long-term growth and transforming the budget process into a collaborative, empowering experience that fosters buy-in and excitement across the organization.

What truly sets this episode apart is the zest Ariella brings to what can often be a mundane topic. With such a refreshing perspective, she emphasizes the importance of balancing optimism with realism—setting ambitious goals but doing so with a grounded understanding of the organization’s financial landscape. She advises nonprofits to embrace the unknown and aim high, reminding them that “if you don’t ask for more, you’ll never know what’s out there.”
Ariella shows that budgeting doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. With the right mindset, it can become a powerful tool to build a stronger, more resilient organization—one that dreams big, plans smart, and embraces the future with confidence.