Building Strong Nonprofit Reserves: How much is enough? – June 23, 2026
$95
Registration
Early Bird: $95
Standard Registration: $125
Spots are limited to keep the session interactive. Early registration is encouraged.
About this workshop:
How much should your nonprofit have in reserves — and how do you know if it’s enough?
Many organizations either under-save and operate in constant uncertainty — or hesitate to build reserves out of concern it may impact donor support.
Cash reserves are one of the most powerful tools for financial stability and flexibility — but knowing how much to hold, how to build reserves responsibly, and how to use them strategically isn’t always clear.
In this live, interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to think about reserves in a practical, decision-making context. We’ll focus on how reserves support your mission, how to determine an appropriate level, and how to build and use them with confidence — without undermining donor trust or long-term sustainability.
In this workshop, we will cover:
- What nonprofit reserves are — and the different types of reserves organizations maintain
- Why reserves matter for financial stability, risk management, and strategic flexibility
- How to determine an appropriate reserve level based on your organization’s size, structure, and risk profile
- How reserves relate to cash flow, financial statements, and long-term planning
- Best practices for building reserves without undermining donor confidence or cannibalizing annual giving
- When and how to use reserves — and how to avoid common pitfalls
- How to communicate reserve decisions clearly with boards and stakeholders
This workshop is ideal for:
- Executive Directors and CEOs
- CFOs and Directors of Finance
- Board members and finance committee members
- Program and operations leaders involved in financial planning
- Nonprofit leaders looking to strengthen financial resilience and decision-making
What you’ll walk away with:
- A clear understanding of the purpose and role of reserve funds
- Confidence in determining how much your organization should hold in reserves
- Practical tools for building, managing, and using reserves effectively
- Greater clarity in communicating reserve strategies to boards and stakeholders
No advanced accounting background required
Whether you are building reserves, managing them, or making decisions about their use, this workshop is designed to be practical, accessible, and immediately useful.
Workshop Details & FAQs
This is a live, instructor-led workshop conducted via Zoom.
Because this is a live, interactive session, the focus is on real-time learning, discussion, and Q&A.
Yes. Slides and any supporting materials will be provided.
If your plans change, you can cancel up to one day before the workshop. If you need to leave early or miss the session, we’re happy to transfer your registration to a future session at no additional cost.