2016 marks the fifth birthday of FIRM Financial Leadership Training for nonprofits in Montgomery County. An award-winning example of a public-private partnership with Montgomery County government, FIRM has become a cornerstone of Nonprofit Montgomery’s work. This year 29 organizations participated in FIRM, bringing the total to over 150 since 2011.
FIRM is a unique approach to building financial leadership capacity within nonprofits. Bringing together leaders including board members, senior staff, and financial practitioners, the program engages participants in active learning, exploring the context, infrastructure, communication, and assessment needed to leverage financial management for greater organizational and community benefit.

By all measures FIRM is a valuable learning experience. Over 97% of participants from the most recent session either agreed or strongly agreed that FIRM met their expectations and that the content was relevant and meaningful.

FIRM’s unique curriculum provides a strategic framework and practical tools to help leaders better understand and implement best practices in financial management. Dates for the 2016-2017 sessions of FIRM will be announced on our website and in Nonprofit Matters. For more information visit our FIRM page on our website. Not sure if FIRM is for you? Contact Lesley MacDonald and find out.

FIRM is generously supported by The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, The Mead Family Foundation, and The Nonprofit Advancement Fund of the Community Foundation for Montgomery County.

When FIRM attendees were asked what they will do differently as a result of participating in FIRM, responses included:

  • “Prepare financial reports in a way that spurs discussion.”
  • “Establish a process for aligning our mission with our budgeting process.”

Responses to the question “how were you most impacted by experience at the FIRM institute?” included:

  • “FIRM really re-energized me and reminded me of the importance of linking strategy, program and finances and the importance of communicating with staff and engaging staff and board.”
  • “FIRM helped me understand the whole budgeting process rather than only looking at budget numbers.”
  • “Excellent program; coming from a finance perspective this was clear and helped my executive director understand what I have been trying to express.”

Other comments included: 

  • “We needed this!”
  • “A revelation!”