Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
Ranked #1 on FeedSpot's Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy podcast lists, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership is the go-to resource for current and aspiring nonprofit leaders. Hosted by Dr. Patton McDowell and powered by Armstrong McGuire, the show delivers practical wisdom from the sector's most experienced executives, fundraisers, board leaders, and consultants — every Thursday.
Patton brings 30+ years of nonprofit leadership, coaching, and consulting experience, and shares proven best practices for individual and organizational success drawn from his work with hundreds of nonprofit organizations. With 366+ episodes, a 5/5 rating on Apple Podcasts, and listeners in 130+ countries, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership is where serious nonprofit professionals come to grow. Hit subscribe and accelerate your path to nonprofit leadership. Learn more and access all episodes at www.armstrongmcguire.com/podcasts
Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
351: Five Finance Skills Every Nonprofit Leader Needs (Stephen Newland)
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351: Five Finance Skills Every Nonprofit Leader Needs (Stephen Newland)
SUMMARY
Many nonprofit leaders step into their roles with deep passion for mission, but far less confidence when it comes to finance. In this episode, Stephen Newland, founder of MoneyPath FP&A, breaks down five essential finance skills every nonprofit leader must develop to lead with confidence, reduce risk, and sustain impact. Stephen explains why financial uncertainty is so common in the sector, how organizational growth often triggers financial overwhelm, and why leaders can no longer rely on a simple “there’s money in the bank” mindset. He introduces the idea of cash flow as organizational oxygen, and shares practical ways to forecast cash, use the budget as a strategic tool, and prepare for both downside risk and upside opportunity. The conversation also tackles one of the most persistent nonprofit tensions - restricted versus unrestricted funding - and offers clear guidance on how to tell the financial story in ways boards and donors actually understand. Stephen closes with a powerful reminder: financial confidence doesn’t start with spreadsheets - it starts with curiosity.
ABOUT STEPHEN
Stephen Newland, CMA is the founder of MoneyPath FP&A, where he provides fractional CFO services to growing nonprofits—most often in the $1M–$10M revenue range. He helps nonprofit leaders save time, reduce financial stress, and make confident decisions through better forecasting, reporting, and financial storytelling. Stephen’s background includes corporate finance, startup advising, and leading a large-scale financial education program—experience that shaped his ability to translate complex financial concepts into practical, mission-aligned leadership tools.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- MoneyPath (free tools, cash flow templates, nonprofit discounts)
- Stephen Newland on LinkedIn
- Book recommendation: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Follow the Podcast
- Learn more about the PMA & Armstrong McGuire merger!