In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I break down why traditional budget approvals by nonprofit boards can actually hurt your organization—and what to do instead. I'll walk you through what "approval" really means, the unintended consequences of board-controlled budgets, and the simple shift to "budget confirmation" that leads to better planning, stronger oversight, and less drama. If budget season always feels like a battle, this one's for you.

Episode Highlights

• 02:09 Understanding Budget Approval

• 03:19 The Role of the Board in Budget Approval

• 05:01 A New Approach: Confirming the Budget

• 07:19 Case Study: Successful Implementation

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

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About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, "I'm the money"?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she's charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement "I'm the money" was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she's very, very good at it.

She's brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She's averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become "the money" for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she's created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

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