Nonprofit Symposium

This panel discussion brings together nonprofit CFOs and auditors to explore how both groups are approaching AI in today’s finance environment. The conversation will highlight practical use cases, where organizations are seeing measurable results, where caution is still warranted, and how CFO’s and Auditors are thinking about governance, internal controls, financial reporting, risk, and board communication as AI adoption evolv.

Credits: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

This session is available to registrants only.

Many nonprofit organizations today operate within increasingly complex multi-entity structures, particularly between affiliated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations. This session will explore practical accounting and financial reporting considerations related to grants and contributions, shared service allocations, intercompany activity, and consolidated reporting in a dual-entity environment. Attendees will gain insight into common challenges, governance and compliance considerations, and leading practices for maintaining transparency and audit readiness across entities. As organizations continue to diversify funding streams and operational structures, understanding these nuances has become increasingly critical for nonprofit finance professionals, controllers, and auditors

Credits: 1 - Accounting

This session is available to registrants only.

You’ve heard it all—AI, automation, cybersecurity, cryptocurrency—but what about the good old challenges that never seem to go away? Meet two exceptional nonprofit leaders—one from programs and one from finance—as they explore why, whether you are a grant-making or grant-receiving organization, long-term success still depends on strong collaboration between these teams. This session highlights how breakdowns in communication, misaligned timing, and inconsistent understanding of key concepts like restrictions and conditions continue to create operational and compliance risks. Learn how aligning timelines for spending, reporting, and close processes can reduce surprises and improve accuracy. Discover practical ways to build a shared language and strengthen cross-functional oversight so finance and program activities stay connected—not siloed.

Credits: 1 - Management Services

This session is available to registrants only.

Recent changes to Uniform Guidance and evolving single audit expectations have shifted more responsibility—and risk—onto nonprofit finance leadership. This session explores grant compliance from the grantee’s perspective, highlighting lessons learned by CFOs navigating the new landscape. We’ll focus on practical compliance ownership, internal controls that work in the real world, and how to reduce audit friction while protecting funding and reputation.

Credits: 1 - Auditing (Governmental)

This session is available to registrants only.

Credits: 0.5 - Accounting

Credits: 0.5 - Auditing

This session is available to registrants only.

In this panel discussion, experts from RSM and leaders from their client organizations will discuss the practical application of AI in the Non-Profit space. The discussion will focus on real world success stories in order to inspire the audience with examples of how other organizations are leveraging this powerful new technology to transform their organizations and power their missions.

Credits: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

This session is available to registrants only.

Nonprofit leaders are navigating unprecedented levels of disruption, including workforce shortages, leadership transitions, economic uncertainty, evolving stakeholder expectations, and the growing impact of AI on how work gets done. While strategy, compliance, and financial stewardship remain critical, organizational success ultimately depends on a leader’s ability to build teams that can adapt, collaborate, and perform under pressure. Drawing on the Harvard Business Review Trust Triangle and Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team, this session provides practical strategies for strengthening trust, fostering productive conflict, increasing accountability, and improving team effectiveness. Participants will explore common barriers to team performance and leave with actionable approaches for building more resilient, engaged, and high-performing teams. Through real-world examples and practical application, attendees will gain tools they can immediately apply within their organizations.

Credits: 1 - Business Management & Organization

This session is available to registrants only.

This panel will highlight key tax developments affecting exempt organizations in 2026, with a focus on practical implications for compliance and reporting. Panelists will unpack how recent changes and outcomes of the 2026 midterm elections may influence the tax policy landscape. The discussion will also provide a forward looking view of potential legislative and regulatory shifts in 2027. Attendees will leave with clear insights to help navigate and plan strategically for the year ahea

Credits: 1 - Taxation

This session is available to registrants and their guests

For nonprofits, IRS Form 990 is a vital public relations tool – and an annual tax chore to review with Boards and executive leaders. This session will prepare you to translate dense tax information in a compelling way for boards, donors, and staff.  Attendees will walk away with practical storytelling techniques and data visualizations to turn a boring tax filing into a powerful tool for building trust.

Credits: 1 - Taxation

This session is available to registrants only.

The relationship between a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and a nonprofit’s Senior Management, Board of Directors, and staff is critical to the organization’s success, stability, and mission achievement. This session is designed to equip senior finance leaders with the essential communication skills and strategic insights needed to effectively partner, educate, and enhance fiduciary decision-making related to financial health, sustainability, and future planning. We will explore how to move beyond basic financial reporting to deliver financial information that is strategic, clear, and action-oriented, helping senior management, staff, and board members fulfill their responsibility roles and duties. Topics will include purpose-built financial messaging, ways to optimize intra-year financial reporting and planning through better use of KPI’s and projections,  aligning budgets and operating reserves, and other tactics and best practices for communicating financial information and reports.

Credits: 1 - Management Services

This session is available to registrants only.

The root cause of every audit finding is a failure or weakness in a nonprofit’s internal control.  As a result, the best way for a nonprofit finance team to reduce audit anxiety is to ensure that internal controls are properly designed and implemented.  In this session, Jake Greene, an experienced nonprofit CFO, and Doug Boedeker, an experienced nonprofit auditor, will share their different perspectives on what constitutes an audit-ready system of internal control.  They will also share practical steps that nonprofits can take to upgrade their controls in advance of their next audit. A smooth audit begins with good controls.  Join us, and get your controls audit-ready! 

Credits: 1 - Auditing

This session is available to registrants only.

This session challenges the traditional view of accountants in grant-funded organizations, repositioning them as key advisors in early grant decision-making. Through practical examples, it explores how seemingly successful awards can create hidden risks such as funding gaps, cash flow strain, and increased audit exposure. Attendees will gain tools to assess true program costs, evaluate feasibility, and identify financial and compliance implications before applying. The session also offers practical strategies to help accountants communicate risk and value more effectively, strengthening both organizational outcomes and funder confidence.

Credits: 1 - Management Services

This session is available to registrants only.

From one of the country’s most experienced and notable nonprofit attorneys, come armed with your questions as we explore the most pressing legal issues facing nonprofit organizations these days. In a Q&A-driven format, this is your opportunity to ask our speaker about any nonprofit legal topic on your mind. Explore some of the hottest topics and legal risks creating buzz in the nonprofit community. In plain English and a very interactive format, learn the key red flags you need to be able to spot, what you should do when you spot them, and practical tips and suggestions for protecting your nonprofit or nonprofit clients and mitigating legal risk.

Credits: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

This session is available to registrants only.

Oracle Cloud is a market-leading ERP software and many nonprofits are moving their platforms to the cloud. HJF is an organization of 3,000 employees with over 800 federal grants and contracts and we implemented a full-suite Oracle U.S. Government Cloud solution including ERP, HCM, SCM, and EPM components on-time in under 2 years from contract signing. The session will emphasize pre-planning, criteria for implementing partner selection, forming an internal team and governance approach, audit planning integration, a sound data conversion methodology and a time-focused approach as critical elements of success.

Credits: 1 - Information Technology

This session is available to registrants only.

Credits: 1 - Personnel/Human Resources

This session is available to registrants only.

For nonprofit professionals with ambitions to move into senior leadership, technical expertise is only part of the equation. This interactive session will explore how professionals can intentionally build their careers, take smart risks, develop leadership skills, and pursue opportunities that prepare them for CFO, COO, CEO and other executive roles (while remaining grounded in the mission that drew them to the nonprofit sector). Through candid personal stories and lessons learned, the presenters will discuss career decisions that worked, setbacks and challenges along the way, and the experiences that ultimately opened doors. Attendees will also hear perspectives from an experienced nonprofit financial advisor and an executive recruiter about what organizations look for in future leaders and how professionals can position themselves for the next step.

Attendees will learn how to: 

• Identify the experiences, skills and responsibilities that can position a nonprofit professional for CFO, COO or other executive leadership roles.

• Evaluate when taking a career risk changing organizations, accepting a stretch assignment, managing a new function or moving outside one's comfort zone can accelerate professional growth.

• Develop leadership capabilities beyond technical accounting and finance expertise, including communication, operations, strategic thinking and managing people.

• Recognize common career decisions and behaviors that can either accelerate or limit advancement.

• Balance personal career ambition with a genuine commitment to an organization's mission and the communities it serves.

• Better understand how nonprofit CEOs, CFO advisors and executive recruiters evaluate emerging leadership talent.

Credits: 1 - Personal Development

This session is available to registrants only.

Reserve and investment decisions are among the most important financial choices nonprofit leaders make, directly influencing stability, flexibility, and long-term sustainability. Peer benchmarking can offer valuable perspective by showing how similar organizations structure reserves and allocate investments, helping boards better understand what is typical, identify potential gaps, and inform strategic conversations. Meaningful decisions, however, are grounded in a broader view that considers mission priorities, financial risk, access to funds, growth plans, and governance practices.   In this session, we will explore how nonprofit leaders can use peer benchmarking to provide additional context, with a focus on insights from Raffa’s Study on Nonprofit Investing (SONI) Dashboard. Participants will leave with clearer questions to bring to their boards, actionable ideas for strengthening policies, and greater confidence in guiding reserve and investment conversations.

Credits: 1 - Finance

This session is available to registrants only.

Congratulations, you got the grant—now can you protect it? This session provides a tactical roadmap for the “heavy lifting” of post-award management, breaking down essential internal controls, and other areas of risk that impact recipients, subrecipients, and contractors.

Credits: 0.5 - Auditing (Governmental)

Credits: 0.5 - Accounting (Governmental)

This session is available to registrants only.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing was once a dominant theme in nonprofit and institutional portfolios, with many organizations incorporating values-based considerations into their investment policies and decision-making. However, over the past several years, ESG has faced increasing scrutiny, political pushback, and shifting investor sentiment, leaving many nonprofit leaders questioning its relevance today.  So where does ESG stand now? Has it truly faded, or is it quietly evolving into a more integrated and practical approach?  This session will explore the current state of ESG investing, separating headlines from reality. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how ESG strategies have performed, how asset managers and institutional investors are adapting, and how regulatory and political dynamics are shaping the landscape.  Most importantly, the session will translate these trends into practical guidance for nonprofit organizations and associations. We will address how boards and finance committees can approach ESG thoughtfully.

Credits: 1 - Finance

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Not-for-profits are navigating a higher-rate, more complex environment while facing tighter operating budgets and increased board scrutiny around liquidity, risk, and spending. Yet many organizations still struggle to answer a fundamental question: how much is truly available to support operations—and how should it be structured?  This session focuses on aligning reserve strategy with real-world operating needs. We’ll explore how to determine appropriate liquidity levels, structure reserves across time horizons, and connect investment decisions to cash flow, risk tolerance, and governance priorities. We’ll also address how financial reporting and internal designations influence what is actually available for use—and how that should inform board-level decisions.  Bringing together investment strategy, governance, and financial clarity, this session provides a practical framework to help organizations move from static reserve targets to a more dynamic, decision-driven approach.

Credits: 1 - Finance

This session is available to registrants only.

Nonprofit controllers are navigating growing complexity across financial reporting, compliance, staffing, internal controls, technology, and leadership expectations. In this interactive panel discussion, nonprofit finance leaders will share the most common operational and technical issues they are facing today; from managing month-end close and preparing for audits to overseeing grants, improving cross-functional collaboration, strengthening internal controls, and identifying where automation can create real relief. Through candid discussion and moderator-led questions, participants will gain practical insight into how peers are approaching these challenges, what solutions are working, and what finance leaders should prioritize to reduce risk and improve effectiveness within their organizations. Note: Panelists will be Controllers from nonprofits of varying sizes.

Credits: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

This session is available to registrants only.

For years, non-profit organizations have fought for fair indirect cost recovery, yet that focus, and its limited gains, has masked a critical reality: even “fully funded” grants can place significant strain on an organization when the true cost of execution is not understood. This session reframes the conversation from “are we recovering enough?” to “do we truly understand what this grant costs us and are we making informed decisions?”. In the current funding landscape, it’s time to move beyond indirect cost recovery and adopt a more comprehensive view of grant economics.

Credits: 1.5 - Accounting

This session is available to registrants only.

Nonprofit CFOs are making high-stakes decisions in an environment defined by uncertainty—delayed reimbursements, uneven cash flows, operational change, and heightened scrutiny from boards, lenders, and funders. This practical panel discussion focuses on how CFOs make liquidity and risk decisions under pressure: what they monitor most closely, how they set and deploy reserves, and how scenario planning informs real-time actions.  Panelists will share real-world examples of organizational change and the liquidity metrics, forecasting horizons, and trigger points that guide their decision-making. The discussion will also examine the “story behind the numbers”—how liquidity decisions, reserve use, and operating results are reflected in the Form 990 and other public-facing financial information, and how those signals are interpreted by external stakeholders

Credits: 1.5 - Finance

This session is available to registrants only.

Economic volatility, persistent inflation, and shifting federal funding priorities are redefining what it means for organizations to be financially stable. Traditional budgeting approaches—focused primarily on balance, are no longer sufficient in an environment where disruption is the norm rather than the exception.

This session introduces a practical framework for fiscal resilience, helping finance leaders move beyond static budgeting toward dynamic financial management. Participants will explore how to align liquidity and reserves with operational risk, implement stress testing techniques, and enhance transparency to build stakeholder confidence. Drawing on real-world examples from nonprofit and governmental organizations, this session equips attendees with actionable strategies to strengthen financial endurance without compromising mission delivery.

Credits: 1.5 - Management Services

This session is available to registrants only.

A model Form 990 will be presented with incomplete answers, conflicting information, and other errors and omissions. The audience will be asked to identify and discuss the errors and mistakes presented on the form presented.

Credits: 1.5 - Taxation

This session is available to registrants only.

Back by popular demand! Join panelists Mike Sorrells, Calvin Marks, and Lisa Heller for a candid, practical discussion designed to answer your questions on nonprofit tax reporting. Drawing on decades of combined experience advising nonprofit organizations on complex tax matters, the panel will share real-world insights and practical strategies attendees can apply immediately.   From managing unrelated business income and 990 reporting, to understanding the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and new federal guidance, to reporting on political activity, compensation disclosures, and audit risk - no nonprofit tax question is off the table. This session will ensure ample time for robust dialogue, audience Q&A, and nuanced analysis. Whether you’re a seasoned tax professional or a nonprofit leader looking to sharpen your understanding, this session will deliver timely, actionable guidance.

Credits: 1.5 - Taxation

This session is available to registrants only.

This year, the focus will be on changes to employment laws, including the treatment of joint employers and non-compete restrictions, as well as how to minimize employment law claims.

Credits: 1.5 - Business Law

This session is available to registrants only.

Fraud and cyber incidents are no longer isolated operational risks - they are organization-wide leadership challenges that can threaten mission delivery, donor confidence, and organizational reputation. In this candid panel discussion, a CEO, CFO, and CIO will share insights from their leadership experience and exposure to organizations navigating financial fraud, cyberattacks, internal control failures, and/or other organizational crises. Panelists will explore common patterns observed across these incidents, including early warning signs, how decisions are made under pressure, and approaches organizations have taken to strengthen governance, controls, and resilience in response. As nonprofits face increasingly sophisticated threats, continued regulatory scrutiny, and rising stakeholder expectations, this session offers practical insights for organizational leaders

Credits: 1.5 - Specialized Knowledge

This session is available to registrants only.

Nonprofits have weathered a series of financial storms in recent years—from the disruption of COVID-19, to the expiration of emergency relief funding, to tightening government budgets and shifting donor behavior. These challenges have highlighted a central risk: overreliance on any single source of revenue. Revenue diversification is often viewed primarily through a fundraising lens; this session expands that perspective, presenting it as a holistic strategy that includes earned revenue models and endowment development alongside contributed income.

Credits: 1.5 - Finance

This session is available to registrants only.

Most nonprofits don’t have a true technology roadmap—they’re reacting to issues as they arise. As one leader put it, “We’ve been making incremental decisions, but we don’t have a roadmap driving outcomes.” When IT leadership changes, vendor relationships shift, or funding fluctuates, that lack of direction quickly becomes a crisis. This session introduces a practical framework to assess technology maturity across five dimensions and build a prioritized roadmap tied to mission outcomes. Attendees will leave with a “Now / Next / Later” model that transforms incremental decisions into a clear, board-ready strategy, especially critical amid funding uncertainty and growing pressure to adopt AI responsibly

Credits: 1 - Information Technology

This session is available to registrants only.

In today’s environment of heightened donor scrutiny, IRS compliance focus, and growing demand for nonprofit transparency, how you classify and report functional expenses has never mattered more. This session delivers a practical deep dive into the foundations of functional expense allocation, from understanding program, management, and fundraising categories to building defensible allocation methodologies that hold up under audit. We’ll walk through common pitfalls that trip up even seasoned finance teams, explore how the functional expense statement directly shapes the narrative of your Form 990, and share best practices for aligning your expense reporting with your organization’s mission story.

Credits: 1 - Accounting

This session is available to registrants only.

Address key areas for nonprofit organizations to help protect their exemption in the current environment.  Discuss key governance areas where organizations and the governing body can focus their efforts including conflict of interest policies, transactions with interested persons, and reasonable compensation.  Address organizational structures and the risks associated with dormant entities.  Provide a legislative update including the Treasury Department’s plans to revise the Form 990 for transparency and other Treasury or congressional action.

Credits: 1 - Taxation

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Nonprofit organizations increasingly face pressure to attract, reward, and retain high quality executive leadership while balancing mission, governance, and budget realities. Deferred compensation arrangements under Sections 457(b) and 457(f) can play an important role in a competitive executive benefits strategy, yet these plans are often misunderstood or underutilized. This session will explore how nonprofit organizations and associations are using 457 plans to supplement retirement savings opportunities, incentivize long term retention, and structure executive compensation packages for key leaders. Attendees will gain practical insight into how these plans work, common design approaches, tax and distribution considerations, investment and recordkeeping structures, and the risks and misconceptions organizations should understand before implementation.  Presented from both an HR and investment advisory perspective, this session will combine strategic compensation considerations with real world operational experience managing and overseeing deferred compensation arrangements across the nonprofit sector.

Credits: 1 - Taxation

This session is available to registrants only.

As organizations navigate unprecedented uncertainty driven by shifting regulations, evolving funding priorities, technological disruption, and heightened stakeholder expectations, aligning strategy and risk management has become essential for effective decision-making and organizational resilience. This session will explore how integrating strategic objectives with risk-informed decision-making can help identify operational inefficiencies, prioritize investments, and uncover opportunities for innovation and growth. Attendees will learn practical approaches to leveraging data, technology, and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance performance and strengthen adaptability. By connecting strategy, risk, and operations, organizations can better anticipate change, optimize resources, and transform uncertainty into a sustainable competitive advantage.

Credits: 1 - Management Services

This session is available to registrants only.

The nonprofit sector is facing unprecedented disruption, driven by shifting political climates, unstable government funding, and widespread workforce unrest. To navigate this volatility, finance leaders must look beyond traditional management and harness the rise of AI and automation to alleviate the burden on understaffed, burnt-out accounting teams. This session explores practical strategies to modernize your department, using technology to eliminate operational bottlenecks while building a culture that prioritizes retention.

Credits: 1 - Management Services

This session is available to registrants only.