Nonprofit Accounting Basics

What a PTO or PTA Financial Report Should Include
Financial reports tell your parent organization’s money story to board members, fellow parents, and school administrators. They demonstrate accountability and support smart decision-making by showing how fundraising dollars are being managed and what your financial outlook looks like. Most PTO and PTA boards expect to see financial reports monthly or quarterly, often presented at general…

MoneyMinder Users Get Lower Fees & More Features with a FREE Cheddar Up Team Plan
Managing payments for your volunteer-run organization shouldn’t feel like herding cats—every payment coming from a different direction. Between membership dues, fundraiser sales, event tickets, and donations, keeping track of who paid for what can quickly become overwhelming. Without the right system, details slip through the cracks fast. Relief is here! Meet the MoneyMinder Store, a…

The Risks of Using Payment Tools Without Financial Management Tools
When your volunteer organization needs to start collecting payments, you might start looking at PayPal, Venmo, Square, Stripe or even one of those newer platforms like Zeffy or Givebutter. They’re easy to set up, they look professional, and people can pay with just a few clicks. Treasurer role handled, right? Not quite. While these payment…

Booster Club Budget 101
Whether you’re supporting the football team, marching band, or robotics club, a well-planned booster club budget is your roadmap for making smart fundraising and spending decisions all year long. This guide will walk you through creating and managing an effective budget that keeps your organization financially strong for the students and programs you care about.…

15 Treasurer To-Do’s to Start the 2025–2026 School Year Strong
As a new school year begins, it’s the ideal time for volunteer treasurers to get organized. Whether you’re supporting a PTO or PTA, booster club, sports team or another volunteer-run group, tackling a few essential financial tasks now will set your organization up for a smooth and successful year ahead. High Priority: Must-Do Items 1.…

Going Digital: How MoneyMinder Supports a Paperless Workflow for Volunteer Treasurers
As Treasurer for your group, you play a critical role in managing finances and keeping track of all of the important files and information that comes with the territory. Traditionally, that involved a considerable amount of paperwork, from keeping track of receipts to filing away important documents. However, in the digital age, the need for…

Everything You Need to Know About Accepting Checks as a Small Nonprofit
When everyone carries a smartphone that can handle anything from buying coffee to paying bills, does your nonprofit really need to bother with old-fashioned paper checks? It may surprise you to hear that most of the organizations using MoneyMinder do accept checks, although most combine them with cash and digital options. Checks offer a few…

Top Challenges School Group Treasurers Face, and How to Overcome Them (PTO, PTA, Booster Clubs)
So, you’ve just become the treasurer for your school’s PTO, PTA, or Booster Club. First of all — thank you! This is one of the most important volunteer roles in any school group. But if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone. You might be thinking: Where do I find everything?How do I keep…

How Much Budget Should Your Nonprofit Carry Forward?
How much budget should your nonprofit carry forward from one year to the next? The short answer is: it depends. For some nonprofit groups, a small reserve is enough to cover startup costs and early events. Others might need to hang onto a larger balance for long-term projects or unexpected expenses. Here are a few…

The Volunteer Treasurer’s Guide to Nonprofit Financial Reports
What, Why and When to Use 25 Different Nonprofit Reports Managing finances for a volunteer-run nonprofit can feel overwhelming at times—especially when you open your accounting software to find a long list of unfamiliar reports. What’s the difference between a Balance Sheet and an Income Statement? When should you use a Reconciliation Report? Do you…