A well-crafted finance deck sets the tone for your entire board meeting.
When it’s clear, focused, and strategic, the board can do its job: provide oversight, ask the right questions, and help your organization move forward. But when it’s overly detailed, confusing, or late? The meeting gets bogged down. Board members get lost in the weeds. And key decisions get delayed.
This guide helps nonprofit Executive Directors, finance staff, and volunteer treasurers understand what actually belongs in a board finance deck—and what to cut. Because a few smart changes can transform your board’s engagement with your financials.
What Belongs in a Nonprofit Board Finance Deck
These are the core components every board should see. They offer a clear picture of financial health and help board members fulfill their oversight responsibilities.
Budget vs. Actuals Summary
Summarize performance against budget, year-to-date and by major programs. Focus on trends, not just numbers.
Variance Explanations
Explain any major differences (e.g., 10 percent or more) between actual and budgeted amounts. Include context—one-time vs. ongoing, expected vs. concerning.
Cash Flow Snapshot
Show how much cash is available now, what’s coming in and out soon, and any concerns about restricted funds or liquidity.
Restricted vs. Unrestricted Funds
Clarify which funds are available for use versus committed to specific grants or programs. Use a simple tracker or table if needed.
Narrative Summary of Key Issues
Start the deck with a plain-language memo that answers: Are we on budget? Are there any issues? What decisions are coming up?
Links to Strategy or Programs
Help board members connect the numbers to your mission. For example: “Spending increased due to X program expansion” or “Lower revenue due to delayed grant funding.”
1. Budget vs. Actuals With Key Variance Highlights
Show where the organization stands compared to budget. Focus on key variances, not every line item.
Include:
- Income Statement (Statement of Operations)
- Summary of variances over a threshold (e.g. 10% or $5,000)
- Short explanations in plain language
Tip: Focus on trends and red flags. Use a simple chart or graph to highlight performance across key programs.
2. Cash Position and Runway
Board members need to understand how much operating cash is available—and how long it will last.
Include:
- Total cash on hand
- Breakdown of restricted vs. unrestricted funds
- Months of runway or forecast to year-end
Tip: Use a table to show beginning cash, inflows, outflows, and projected ending balance.
3. Narrative Summary
Before diving into numbers, offer a one-page summary of what’s going on. This is your chance to set the tone.
Include:
- Are we on track with budget and goals?
- Any material changes since last meeting?
- Anything the board needs to approve, flag, or discuss?
Tip: Keep it brief. If it’s longer than one page, it’s not a summary.
4. Grant and Restricted Fund Tracking
Boards are accountable for ensuring restricted funds are used properly. They need visibility.
Include:
- Grant-by-grant summary
- Amount received, spent, and remaining
- Notes on compliance or reporting deadlines
Tip: A simple table is more helpful than a wall of text.
5. Capital Campaign or Project Updates (if applicable)
If you're running a capital campaign or major initiative, report on financial progress.
Include:
- Funds raised to date vs. goal
- Budgeted vs. actual expenses
- Timeline updates or risks
Tip: Be honest. Boards value transparency over polish.
6. Strategic Financial Indicators
If your board is financially savvy, include KPIs tied to strategy.
Include:
- Cost per program outcome
- Admin-to-program ratio
- Fundraising efficiency or ROI
Tip: Only include these if the board will understand and use them.
15 Must-Track Metrics & KPIs for Nonprofit Success
What to Skip in a Nonprofit Board Finance Deck
1. Full General Ledger or Line-by-Line Reports
Too much detail hides the story. The board’s role is governance, not bookkeeping.
Skip:
- General Ledger exports
- Full chart of accounts
- Expense reports or receipt backups
Exception: Only include this detail if a specific line item is under review.
2. Jargon, Acronyms, and Accounting-Speak
If a board member has to ask what something means, the report isn’t working.
Skip:
- Technical accounting terms (unless explained)
- Internal codes or department nicknames
- Vague notes like “timing difference” without context
3. Irrelevant Reports
Don’t include reports just because you always have.
Skip:
- Reports no one discusses or references
- Overly complex dashboards
- Duplicated views of the same data
Tip: Ask: does this report help the board fulfill its fiduciary duty? If not, cut it.
4. Last-Minute Numbers
Nothing erodes confidence like a finance deck delivered at midnight the night before.
Skip:
- Reports that haven’t been reviewed
- Preliminary data not labeled as such
- Anything you don’t want to answer questions about
Tip: If it’s not final or useful, it doesn’t belong.
Who’s Involved in Preparing a Nonprofit Board Finance Deck?
Good board reporting isn’t a solo job. Even in lean organizations, preparing a board finance deck should be a team effort with clearly defined roles.
| Role | Responsibilities | Where Enkel Can Help |
| Executive Director (ED) | Reviews final deck, ensures strategic alignment, flags key decisions or risks for discussion | Enkel acts as a strategic finance partner to the ED, providing board-ready reports and flagging key insights |
| Controller or Senior Bookkeeper | Prepares core reports (income statement, balance sheet), ensures accuracy, writes variance commentary | Enkel’s fractional controllership and bookkeeping services handle reporting, clean-up, and narrative analysis |
| Treasurer or Finance Committee Chair | Reviews draft reports, raises questions, may present financials to the board | Enkel supports finance committees by ensuring clarity and compliance in all reports |
| Operations or Program Staff | Provides program context (if needed) for budget vs. actual performance | Enkel helps align financial reporting with program structure, grant tracking, and board responsibilities |
| Outsourced Partner (e.g. Enkel) | Builds reporting templates, manages reporting cycles, provides plain-language summaries and board packages | This is Enkel’s core offering: full-cycle fractional finance support built for Canadian nonprofits |
If you don’t have the in-house capacity to manage board reporting, Enkel can act as your finance team. We handle everything from monthly reporting to strategic guidance — so your board gets what it needs, and your team stays focused on impact.
Good Reporting Builds Better Boards
When you deliver clear, relevant, and timely financials, board members can focus on what matters: asking good questions, making sound decisions, and helping your nonprofit stay financially strong.
If your board finance deck could use a cleanup, Enkel’s fractional controllers and expert financial operations teams can help. We support Canadian nonprofits with better reporting, cleaner books, and financial clarity at every level.
Need help? Talk to an Enkel Expert or explore our Fractional Controllership services.
