FMA ResearchBelow are our major research reports that focus on management capacity in the not-for-profit sector. The Wallace Report  FMA recently partnered with The Wallace Foundation to conduct a study of the administrative
management capacity of organizations providing out-of-school time (OST) services. Based on a
sample of 16 high-performing programs in New York City and Chicago, the report concludes that
many OST providers need additional investment in administrative management capacity in order
to most effectively support, develop and expand their programs. While the study focuses
specifically on organizations providing OST programs and services, the report’s lessons
and observations should be relevant and useful to the broader nonprofit sector as well.Please click here to download the full report. 
Click here to download the full report. (Adobe PDF File, approx. 5 MB) Click here to download the executive summary. Fiscal Management Associates and ERE LLP, our affiliated public accounting firm have joined together to field and gather responses from 290 nonprofit organizations representing the full range of mission areas, budget sizes, and stages of development, from small start-up arts organizations to multi-million dollar city-wide social service agencies. The questions cover a broad range of fiscal management areas and dig deeper into how financial information is generated and communicated within organizations, with questions about, staffing patterns, day-to-day accounting and fiscal management, budgeting and reporting, accounting software systems, communications with the external auditor, and communications with the board of directors. The survey responses, organized by budget size, and report, focusing on the perspectives of efficiency, reliability, and decision making, serve as a snapshot of nonprofit organizations poised on the brink of an economic recession. It is from this perspective that we present the results as a guide to help nonprofits understand critical decisions around fiscal infrastructure and governance, and for their stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of practices and needs within the sector. Feedback A guiding principle that runs through this report is the value of a holistic approach to financial planning and decision making. Active involvement from all financial stakeholders—fiscal, program, development, executive management, and the board—will produce better long-term results. We welcome your feedback, comments, questions, and suggestions on this project. Please email John Summers, FMA's Manager of Research and Development, at jsummers@fmaonline.net. Participate in Next Year's Survey Please email us at nonprofit@ere-cpa.com and include your full contact information. We welcome your participation. Download the press packet. The 2007 Fiscal Operations Survey  FMA, along with our affiliated public accounting firm ERE LLP, recently completed our
first annual survey of fiscal management practices of nonprofit organizations in the New York
metropolitan area. With nearly 250 respondents, the survey provides interesting and valuable
insights into common management practices, as well as tips and ideas from experts at FMA and ERE
to help move organizations closer to standards of best practice.
Please click here to download the full report. Click here to download the executive summary. |
Resource Center: Publications: Research
       |
|
