What We’re Reading: Week of November 28, 2025
Small Nonprofits are in Survival Mode: ‘That Fear is very Real’
Source: Institutional Investor - Industry Insights: November 24, 2025
Key Takeaway: First off, we would like to thank the author at Institutional Investor for digging into this issue. Since “small” nonprofits - those defined in the article with $5 million-$50 million in assets, are struggling to find their footing with operational demands, we felt like this a great time to jump in. The demands on resources for these nonprofits are likely at or close to its peak - uncertain funding levels due to the political environment, higher spending needs, and greater operational challenges - all while struggling to keep the doors open.
This is where we can step in with a fractional CFO to relieve that pressure by taking ownership of the financial strategy that nonprofits don’t have the bandwidth or expertise to manage. This includes creating cash flow visibility so leadership isn’t constantly reacting, building a multi-year funding strategy, tightening spending policies, and designing operational controls that support sustainability rather than uncertainty. It requires the type of bold, bigger picture thinking where we can make an impact.
We can also help boards and executive directors evaluate risks, optimize endowment usage where applicable, and align budgets to mission priorities — issues that often get ignored when every conversation is about survival instead of investment strategy. By adding structure, confidence, and strategic discipline, Luminarc Strategic Partners helps nonprofits move from fear-driven decisions to growth-oriented impact.
Want a Stronger CFO, CIO relationship? Take cash out of the mix
Source: CFO Dive - News: October 9, 2025
Key Takeaway: From a fractional CFO perspective, fostering a strong relationship with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is crucial for driving strategy and growth, prioritizing value over cost in technology investments. This partnership should focus on enterprise-wide IT resource deployment aligned with business objectives, rather than technology for technology's sake. Viewing IT as a strategic advantage, not just a cost center, and ensuring CIOs and CFOs are peers on the executive committee can lead to more effective technology implementations and value creation. A holistic, governance-first approach to technology, especially for initiatives like AI, is essential to avoid overshooting budgets and rework.
Let Luminarc's fractional CFOs partner with you over the long-term to ensure technology investments requested by your CIO/IT team deliver maximum strategic value, thereby keeping your company ahead of the curve instead of behind it. We like to plan ahead so that the sooner you adopt a robust technology stack, the sooner you can see a payoff on your investment.