Financial Analysis for Grantmakers

An interactive, two-day course providing valuable tools and insights for reading nonprofit financials

Do you know what a statement of activities is? Does looking at a Form 990 confuse you? Are you overwhelmed by the financial analysis process? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this course may be for you!

Financial Analysis for Grantmakers explores the fundamentals of grant proposal financial review and analysis, including organization and project budgets, financial statements, audits, and the IRS Form 990.

This two-day, virtual course is grounded in understanding and practicing financial analysis through an equity lens. Participants work together to analyze and interpret financial information as it relates to relationship-building and understanding an organization’s financial position.

Grantmakers new to philanthropy or their role will gain valuable tools and insights to better understand the Form 990 and nonprofit financial statements to improve the financial analysis process. Course content is consistently updated to account for changes in FASB regulations and the financial implications of current events.

Join us to learn how you can integrate key financial information and equity practices to improve funding decisions.

Individual Rate: $885
Group Rate: $835 per person for groups of 3 or more from the same organization

Meeting Dates & Times

Participants will meet virtually on Wednesday, December 2 from 12:30–4:30 p.m. and again on Thursday, December 3 from 12:30–4:30 p.m. (ET).

Day One:

• Applying an equity lens to financial analysis
• Overview of financial analysis; proposal vs. budget
• Interpreting key financial statements

Day Two:

• Unpacking financial audits & reviews
• Exploring the IRS 990/990EZ
• Using ratios as a tool
• Making the decision to fund (or not)

Course Instructors

Andreason Brown, M.S., is the chief financial officer and treasurer at the Spencer Foundation. He oversees accounting, tax, audit, and information technology functions, and works closely with the president and executive team to advance the organization’s mission to promote educational improvement through high-quality research. Andreason has worked for over two decades in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, previously serving as chief operating officer at Forefront, the Illinois statewide association for grantmakers, nonprofits, and advisors. He serves on the boards of BranchED, Chicago Architecture Center, Bright Promises Foundation, and the Illinois State Treasurer’s Charitable Trust Fund. Andreason is a frequent speaker on topics in nonprofit accounting, having earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Central Michigan University, as well as a Master of Nonprofit Management and a Master of Accountancy at DePaul University.

Andrew Selcke, M.B.A., is a consultant whose work spans the impact continuum from strategy development to implementation. He supports a diverse portfolio of clients across issue areas and giving structures as a communicator, connector, project manager, and process expert. Andrew’s work has included formal grantmaking, evaluation, governance, financial metrics and benchmarking, communications, content creation, and event design. Prior to working as an independent consultant, Andrew served as a social impact consultant at TCC Group and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in New York, and at Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd., in Chicago. He earned an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a bachelor’s degree in music from Northwestern University.

Who should attend this course?

This course is intended for foundation staff, donors, and others engaged in grantmaking. If you do not fit this profile but are interested in attending, please email jcp@gvsu.edu before registering.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

This course may be canceled if it does not reach the minimum number of registrants. In the event of a cancellation, you will be notified at least two weeks before the course start date and will be offered a full refund or the option to transfer your registration to another Johnson Center course. Refund requests for any other reason must be made at least two weeks before the start of the course.

Questions about this event or your registration?

Call 616-331-7585 or email jcp@gvsu.edu.