Why Wipfli?
Wipfli applies over 45 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations to help you achieve stability and success.
We take the time to understand your operations and mission as deeply as you do, working with you to develop an approach that meets your vision of an impactful organization. When needed, we can also provide specific knowledge and support, filling gaps in your organization during a critical project or period of rapid growth.
Wipfli helps you turn the impact you want into a clear, actionable plan. Our experienced advisors offer support from planning through execution, helping you develop a focused strategy and align leadership, technology and resources so you can implement it effectively.
Wipfli helps you develop leaders capable of keeping staff engaged, resilient and aligned with your mission. We offer a range of coaching, team development, board development and nonprofit leadership training services to help you build workforce readiness and improve organizational culture. We also offer support for talent assessment tools that can help you make data-driven decisions about your people.
Improve processes, technology and change management with Wipfli. We help you build operational strength to increase efficiency, strengthen capacity and deliver on your mission.
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Insights and resources
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As nonprofit funding tightens again, can clearer insights help you make more of what you do have?
News recently broke that the federal government is proposing significant changes to the Uniform Guidance, including a new rule that would make it easier for the government to cancel nonprofit grant funding, essentially at will. This move is just the latest in a stream of funding-related actions that have put growing pressure on nonprofit organizations’ budgets. How should your organization continue to make an impact even in this tricky environment? One idea is to take a page from the for-profit world by putting greater emphasis on tracking and measuring program efficiency. This strategy can help you deploy your limited resources more effectively and impress funders. Keep reading to learn more. Nonprofits continue to face notable funding challenges 2025 was a difficult year for nonprofit funding , and so far, 2026 continues to prove challenging as well. Most organizations have never exactly been flush with cash, but this year, leaders are navigating not just federal policy shifts but also increased competition for state and private dollars. Beyond simply finding enough funding to maintain steady operations, more organizations are finding that money often comes with strings attached. Federal grant funding has always come with strict rules and requirements, but those have gotten stricter. More private donors are also demanding a higher level of accountability around exactly where and how their donations are being used. When the money does arrive, it may be less than it was before, and many nonprofits lack the tools to make the most of it. Decision makers may not have access to clear analysis around program results — think cost per child or individual served data, for example — to compare with peer organizations and identify areas where operational or programmatic improvement is needed. But could a greater emphasis on performing that sort of program analysis help change this whole dynamic? Program financial analysis can help impress funders and boost impact Doing more detailed financial and performance analysis on your programs and general operations — standard operating procedure for many businesses — can help your nonprofit operate more effectively and stretch precious dollars further. You’ll also be better positioned to demonstrate your efficacy to both federal grant regulators and private donors. Consider that conducting thorough, ongoing financial performance analysis can help your organization to: Strengthen impact: Whether you’re funded by federal grants, private donors or both, you’ll have a better understanding of how your programs are performing and be able to make operational improvements to strengthen impact. Impress funders: Both federal and private funders want to see impact. If you can demonstrate efficient, effective use of funds, you’ll have an easier time getting more. Uphold grant guidelines: Grants typically require you to spend funds within a certain period of time, something that is easier to do if you’re tracking your financial performance. Avoid shortfalls: Keeping a closer eye on your use of funds also helps you better understand your burn rate, which can help you avoid an unexpected cash crunch. Know your KPIs: Regularly tracking core KPIs like cost per individual served is essential to giving your executives and board the information they need to lead, as well as helping regulators and donors feel confident funding you. Make smarter strategic decisions: A for-profit business owner wouldn’t make a major decision without fully understanding the financial circumstances and implications of the move. That sort of perspective is just as useful for your nonprofit, and can lead to smarter, more effective strategic decisions. So, how do you get started doing more in-depth analysis to bolster your programs and impact? How should nonprofits strengthen their program financial analysis? Program and operational financial analysis are about understanding where your revenue is coming from, how it’s being used and where you should make improvements or changes. To do this effectively, you’ll need to gather data, organize it, create projections and models and then use what you learn to drive smarter decisions. 1. Gather data Your first step should be to understand your full funding picture. Gather as much data as you can on your revenue and expenses. If your organization is still running on legacy systems , this may be time-consuming to do, but the insights you’ll gain are worth it. 2. Establish a baseline and start asking questions Once you have a mountain of data, start looking at your KPIs, program results, cash flow and burn rate. Put together an overall baseline to establish where your organization is now and identify your top pain points. Do you have cash flow concerns? Are your services still fit for today’s environment? Ask questions like these. 3. Use what you learn to drive decisions Once you know where you stand today, you’re ready to look forward. Have conversations with executive leadership, stakeholders and your board members to assess what you’ve learned, discuss pain points and determine how your new insights should affect your overall strategy and funding efforts. At this point, you’ll typically benefit from doing scenario planning and creating projections to consider how different strategic choices might play out. From the board perspective, consider that your board has a fiduciary duty to ensure that your funds are being used appropriately. Providing them with a detailed financial analysis will help them better fulfill their governance and oversight responsibilities . 4. Lean on advisory or outsourcing support for help If your team lacks the skill set to do in-depth financial analysis, you can lean on advisory or outsourcing for help. Look for an advisory firm that understands nonprofits and can provide fractional CFO or controller support to take this work off your plate and deliver the insights you need to strengthen performance and impact. Read more Nonprofit accounting software: When do you need a new ERP? Nonprofits with strong boards outperform peers. Here’s how to improve yours. New systems help nonprofits boost impact and satisfy funders
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Compensation strategies for nonprofits competing in tight labor markets
The competition for talent is fierce, so developing a mission-driven compensation strategy is critical to recruiting and retaining top talent. Nonprofit organizations are seeing increased wage pressures with competition from previously unlikely sources, including restaurants, hospitality, retail, fast food restaurants and distribution centers. To attract and retain employees, nonprofits are having to offer more compensation, flexibility and better work-life balance. This requires agencies to create a mission-driven environment that retains existing employees and shines a spotlight on their mission to attract new talent. Understanding what your employees want is critical to reducing the nonprofit turnover rate and improving employee retention. Creating a nonprofit compensation plan Compensation planning has often been a significant challenge for agencies, and it has become even more difficult when considering the numerous questions your organization must consider as you craft a competitive compensation plan, including: What is our compensation philosophy? How will we compete with retailers, manufacturers and other industries whose base wage is steadily increasing and easily discernible? What is going to be our internal minimum wage level? Should we incorporate paying living wages to our employees? How are we going to release the inevitable wage compression that is going to occur? What are the other top-of-mind questions in our agency regarding the compensation package currently in place or needed in the future? What is our position on pay transparency? Because of these and other questions, developing a base compensation plan involves several proactive steps to align your agency’s goals, along with your mission, vision and values. Consider these fundamentals in your structured approach: Form a compensation committee and develop your compensation philosophy. This establishes the stakeholder group and sets the foundational principles to guide your compensation plan and help ensure pay equity . Develop or update your job descriptions so that positions, roles and responsibilities are accurately defined. Having updated job descriptions is becoming even more crucial in the new era of pay transparency regulations. Perform an external market analysis utilizing published wage and salary survey data to understand current nonprofit salaries in your area or region. Consider leveraging data related to like-sized, comparable industries due to the highly competitive market. Engaging in a formal analysis enables your agency to tailor and customize its program to meet its own unique needs, while still operating in the competitive market. Utilizing a nonprofit compensation report can provide valuable benchmarking data. Develop a salary structure and calculate the financial impact of implementing that structure. Salary benchmarking and job evaluation are key components. Ensure the structure aligns with 501c3 salary rules and nonprofit pay practices. Document the compensation plan . Proper documentation helps ensure all aspects of the plan are recorded and justified while providing a log to reference in the future. A nonprofit compensation policy sample can provide a helpful starting point. Implement and adjust the salary structure annually to assist in monitoring the current landscape and market trends. Provide training to managers to equip them with the necessary information to articulate the plan and answer questions to support their employees and team. Communicate the plan to employees in a way that’s tailored to meet your agency’s pay transparency and overall communication level. Clear communication helps build trust and confidence in pay administration decisions, especially once employees understand the compensation strategy and see how it aligns with the agency’s goals. Be clear whether you will disclose salaries, as some states now require. How can nonprofits compete on salaries? It’s essential to recognize that compensation strategy extends beyond salary into benefits, creating a comprehensive total rewards strategy. Current and prospective employees may no longer be satisfied with the traditional employee benefits and perks. With four generations in the workplace, agencies should confirm they have the right attraction and retention levers in place, including understanding what makes their workforce tick. Unsurprisingly, all generations in the workforce want benefits and perks that will directly impact their lives and their families’ lives. However, they also desire non-monetary benefits, such as: Flexible work arrangements such as hybrid or remote work Generous paid time off and family leave Personal and professional development opportunities Career advancement paths Opportunities for a phased transition into retirement Incentive programs and other forms of indirect compensation can also play a role. Compensation must remain a priority Nonprofit compensation and total rewards reflect the dynamic interplay between employer strategy and ability and employee expectations. They also must strike a delicate balance between mission-driven purpose and practical sustainability. As your agency navigates this complex terrain, you should remain proactive, intentional and agile in implementing approaches that resonate with your diverse workforce. Developing a comprehensive talent strategy that encompasses employee engagement, recognition, performance management, professional development and career development is crucial. Focusing on work culture, employee satisfaction and mission alignment can help boost retention rates and reduce voluntary turnover. By crafting strategies to reflect the unique spirit of the sector while also driving equitable and competitive standards, your nonprofit can be positioned to attract dedicated professionals who are not only skilled but also deeply aligned with your organizational mission. Nonprofit leadership and HR play important roles in developing and executing an effective talent strategy and employee retention policy. Read more: Integrated systems boost your nonprofit’s organizational effectiveness — and keep funders happy Nonprofits with strong boards outperform peers. Here’s how to improve yours Nonprofits: Is your technology working for you or against you?
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How nonprofits can implement a technology strategy designed for long-term growth
Yet again, nonprofit leaders are looking for ways to do more with less. Nonprofits everywhere are facing extreme challenges like cuts to federal grants, political uncertainty and broad competition for donor dollars. However, the right tech can help nonprofits not just survive but thrive. The right tech tools are not actually a cost center but rather an investment that drives growth and multiplies your ability to serve your constituents. Keep reading to learn more about how nonprofits can implement an innovative, effective tech strategy to maximize impact even with limited resources Common tech strategy challenges nonprofits are facing Nonprofits have traditionally approached tech reactively — searching for Band-Aid solutions only after a problem becomes too urgent to ignore. As a result, many nonprofits lack a coherent tech strategy, which means that leaders tend to see tech as just another painful expense. Lacking a technology plan for the future This challenge is also made more complicated by the fact that most nonprofits lack strategic tech leadership in-house. Organizations frequently have a capable IT staff, but those team members are focused on keeping existing systems running, not rethinking how the nonprofit can use tech to better accomplish its mission. During more flush economic times, your organization can probably get away with this approach. But as resources grow more scarce, tech is often the key to performing your mission with a smaller budget. That’s why it’s so helpful to flip the script and start thinking of tech as an investment that will help your organization to serve more people, more effectively. The key to doing this is pursuing a holistic, big-picture tech roadmap that isn’t just about fighting today’s fire but rather building a foundation for your nonprofit to thrive over the next five to 10 years. Start by questioning the status quo. Ask things like: What specific organizational problems are you consistently running into? How can you do things more effectively and efficiently? How are your current systems holding you back ? Measuring tech ROI Another question organization leaders need to ask is: How will we measure the ROI of tech investments? Nonprofit leaders may grasp the overall utility of better tech but struggle to show projected ROI to the donors needed to actually fund the transition. One reason for this is that it’s often unclear where IT ownership falls within the organization. Ideally, the entire executive team should have some responsibility, but it’s also key to identify a technology champion and a governance structure that clarifies who is responsible for what — and many organizations haven’t done that. This is one area where it can be helpful to work with an advisor. An advisor can assess your specific needs and also help you actually put numbers behind your strategy to create a detailed, thoughtful plan you can take to your donors. You don’t have to have all these answers yet, just be thinking about the questions. And ideally, your whole team should be doing this, with open lines of communication to and from leadership. What are the right tools for a nonprofit tech strategy? The first step to upgrading your tech isn’t buying new tech. Far more important is to assess your organization’s specific needs to create a roadmap for your holistic tech strategy. Some nonprofits might need new enterprise software, while others might have many of the right tools already in place but need help connecting fragmented data sources. A tech strategy is ultimately about strengthening your core processes, not accumulating the latest shiny toys. That’s why it’s so important to start with an innovative mindset and a clear governance structure to oversee a tech transformation within your organization. However, there are also essential tech solutions that most nonprofits need. Some of the major ones include: CRM (customer relationship management platform) A CRM platform allows you to more easily connect with your constituents and donors. Nonprofits can use a CRM to oversee individual constituent or donor relationships, send to email lists, access contact information and automate many elements of communication. Some organizations may use an AMS (association management software) or volunteer management system for this purpose. ERP (enterprise resource platform) An ERP (enterprise resource platform) is a financial and operations system that offers your nonprofit clearer financial reporting and performance data and can integrate information from a host of different sources into dashboards. This saves your accounting team significant time and helps your organization to make smarter decisions based on a more accurate understanding of your circumstances. AI and automation tools AI is more than ChatGPT and Copilot. Fully leveraging AI means using more targeted tools that solve specific problems. For example, you might use an AI tool to build a website in minutes, or experiment with using an AI agent to fill out intake forms automatically. The real value here is usually automation, because if you can automate a lower-value task, you’re freeing up your team members to do higher-value work. How does tech help nonprofits grow? Implemented as part of a thoughtful strategic roadmap, a tech upgrade can help you scale up your operations, cut back on inefficiencies and better engage with both your constituents and donors. This gives you a foundation to not just survive challenging times but grow. Expanded reach: Let’s say you can use automation tools to cut down the time it takes to sign up a new constituent for a package of state benefits and services from 10 hours to one hour. Suddenly, your team may be able to serve significantly, perhaps even exponentially, more constituents than before. Cost savings: In the long run, better tech can actually save money. If you replace a dozen different Band-Aid software solutions with one new, integrated platform, you will spend more upfront — but may cut down your monthly subscription costs substantially once your new platform is in place. Increased donor engagement: You can use tools like CRM to market your events or fundraising drives. Plus, donors like to see organizations running on effective, efficient tech, because it means more of their donations are going toward your core mission rather than operational overhead. Greater financial clarity: Better tech gives you more clarity into where your money is going and what your current financial picture looks like. This helps leaders make smarter strategic decisions and frees up your accounting team to do more useful, big-picture work like scenario modeling. How do nonprofits create a culture of innovation? Creating a culture of innovation or an innovation pipeline will help your nonprofit develop a more effective tech strategy and make better use of any new systems you do invest in. But how do you go about doing that? Innovation workshops : Bring departments together to talk about problems and brainstorm if and how tech can help solve them. Having an ideas box can also be useful (if you actually pay attention to it). Emphasize communication: The most effective tools are simply listening and communication. Specifically, your leadership needs to ask the whole organization to explore new ideas and question established processes — and then actually listen to feedback that comes out of that journey. As changes begin to take place, leaders need to continue to communicate. Your team needs to know what’s changing and why. Taking this communication-centered approach will help your team to better identify problems, come up with creative solutions and implement those solutions in a way that delivers maximum benefit to your organization. Read more Integrated systems boost your nonprofit’s organizational effectiveness — and keep funders happy Associations are sitting on a data gold mine. Are leaders making the most of it? Nonprofits with strong boards outperform peers. Here’s how to improve yours
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