Aligning Practices with Values: Redesigning Due Diligence to Promote Equity

When: 
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 -
10:00am to 11:30am EDT
Where: 
Virtual
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The Council is hosting a special series of workshops focused on “Aligning Practices with Values.” Many funders have made commitments to equity, and we are providing programs and resources to support moving to impactful action.  

As part of increasing commitments to equity in grantmaking, many foundations are striving to support a broader base of grantees and seeking to support new organizations. But often longstanding internal processes and criteria can exclude key organizations and communities. In this workshop, experts from BDO FMA (formerly Financial Management Associates) will share ways to approach financial due diligence that bolster an organization’s financial health and ability to achieve its mission over the long term.

In this workshop, we will explore key questions around the grantmaking process, including:  

  • Do your foundation’s financial due diligence processes match its values?  
  • How can due diligence be aligned with commitments to equity?  
  • What tools can your foundation use to assess grantee capacity and financial health? 
Presenters: 

Rodney Christopher, Director of Philanthropic Services, BDO FMA 

Rodney brings more than 20 years of consulting and grantmaking experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. His primary work with BDO FMA is to provide training, consulting and coaching under the arm of Philanthropic Advisory Services, which are designed to build the capacity of funders to engage with grantees about their financial needs.  

Prior to joining FMA, Rodney spent five years as a Director on the Integrated Capitals team at Heron Foundation, where he led a grant practice that provided nonprofits with business planning support and sizable multi-year capital grants to support healthy growth and change.  Prior to that, he spent 15 years developing the consulting practice at Nonprofit Finance Fund, serving as a trainer and consultant to more than 400 nonprofits and 80 grantmaking foundations in 30 states and across subsectors including human services, arts & culture, education and community development. 

Gina McDonald, CPA, Manager Director, BDO FMA

Gina works closely with a variety of nonprofit organizations to assist in building their internal fiscal capacity. She is often part of a team dedicated to building long-term client relationships and providing service customized to each organization's needs for finance department support. As the rules and regulations for nonprofit accounting and reporting evolve and become more complex from both funder and grant recipient perspectives, Gina stays up to date on the changes, translating regulations into relatable terms and guiding nonprofits in continued compliance.

Previously, Gina spent 17 years in public accounting, including 10 years dedicated to nonprofit and governmental accounting and financial reporting as an Audit Senior Manager. Much of that work was focused on helping board members and organization leaders understand their financial results and use that knowledge to make informed decisions. Gina has additional experience in evaluative effectiveness and operations of internal controls and financial policies and procedures.

 

About BDO FMA: 

 

Since 1999, BDO FMA consultants have served major foundations and nonprofit organizations nationwide and around the world, helping them develop the capacity they need to fulfill their missions more effectively and efficiently. BDO FMA works with foundations to strengthen grantee operations and fiscal management, improve grant-making capacity, and increase the financial knowledge of staff.  


REGISTRATION

This event is open to all CCP members. To register yourself and/or a colleague at your organization, please click the "Register Now" link above.

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QUESTIONS?

If you have suggestions for future conversations, or questions, email Annie Adams, program manager.

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