Elizabeth Lewis shares Nonprofit Financial Strategies at the Future Ready Nonprofits Presentation

Key financial insights help nonprofits prepare for risk and opportunity in 2026

At Future-Ready Nonprofits: Finance, Workforce, Benefits & Fraud Risk, four industry experts shared insights on the risks and opportunities shaping the nonprofit landscape in 2026.

Sessions included fraud risk awareness and mitigation presented by Mac Ellett of Atlantic Union Bank, benefits trends for 2026 presented by Ben Bohonowicz of RCM&D, and an update on evolving employment law in Virginia from Faith A. Alejandro of Sands Anderson. Representing Keiter, Elizabeth Lewis focused on financial strategy and key metrics nonprofit leaders should be monitoring to make informed, forward-looking decisions.

Elizabeth’s presentation centered on three critical areas: liquidity, program performance, and revenue concentration. Together, these metrics help nonprofit leaders move beyond surface-level financials and better understand the true financial health of their organizations.

Key insights shared

• Understanding liquidity runway beyond cash on hand
  Elizabeth defined liquidity runway as cash plus available reserves divided by average monthly cash burn, offering a clearer view of how long an organization could operate if revenue stopped. Even with positive net assets, timing gaps in funding and expenses can create cash flow challenges, making it essential to monitor liquidity runway.
• Evaluating program performance
  She also encouraged organizations to assess program-level margins to better understand which activities generate surplus, which are self-sustaining, and which rely on subsidies. While subsidizing programs can be intentional, leaders should evaluate whether those decisions align with strategic goals and ensure they are not distorted by one-time funding or expenses.
• Assessing revenue concentration risk
  Elizabeth emphasized the importance of understanding reliance on key funding sources. Organizations should consider how the loss of a major donor, grant, or contract would impact operations, and recognize that not all revenue streams carry the same level of risk.
• Driving more strategic conversations
  With a clear understanding of these metrics, nonprofit leaders can shift from reactive decision-making to proactive planning. Elizabeth noted that organizations should not rely on past financials alone to guide future strategy.

As nonprofits navigate an increasingly complex environment, having the right financial insights is important for long-term sustainability. Keiter remains committed to helping organizations strengthen their financial strategy and make informed decisions for the future. To learn more, contact Keiter’s Not-For-Profit team | 804.747.0000.