Confident Fundraising Starts with Clear Financials: 5 Metrics to Watch

Strong fundraising begins with knowing your numbers.

At Working Within, we remind nonprofit leaders that financial clarity is one of the most powerful tools you can have when engaging funders. Numbers tell a story about your organization’s strength, sustainability, and capacity to deliver impact. When you understand that story, you can speak with confidence and invite funders to invest in the future you are building.

The best part is that you do not need to be a finance expert to use your financials as a strategic advantage. By watching a few key metrics, you can demonstrate credibility, highlight your organization’s resilience, and make thoughtful decisions that position your mission for long-term growth.

5 Financial Metrics Every Nonprofit Should Watch

1. % of Restricted vs. Unrestricted Revenue: Unrestricted dollars provide flexibility and room to innovate. Tracking the balance between restricted and unrestricted revenue shows how much cash is available for daily operations and strategic opportunities.

   
   

2. Operating Budget: Your operating budget reflects the cost of running your organization apart from program delivery. Having clarity on this number supports long-term sustainability and communicates the full picture of what it takes to make your mission thrive.

   
   

3. % of Board Giving to the Annual Budget: Board giving is a strong indicator of commitment and belief in your mission. Tracking this metric highlights the investment of your leadership team and signals to funders that your board is aligned with your vision.

   
   

4. Program Profitability: Understanding how each program contributes to your organization’s financial picture helps you celebrate successes, identify opportunities for growth, and share a clear narrative with funders about where resources create the greatest impact.

   
   

5. Organizational Profit (Net Surplus/Deficit): Measuring your surplus or deficit gives you insight into overall financial health. This is a simple but powerful way to show funders that you are stewarding resources carefully and planning for the future.

Turn Clarity Into Confidence

These five metrics are a way to tell your story with confidence and show funders the strong foundation behind your mission.

At Working Within, we work alongside nonprofit leaders to prepare for successful fundraising with clarity and strategy.

One of the best ways to start is through our Fundraising Power Hour. This focused, one-on-one session helps you connect your financial story directly to your fundraising strategy. When you know your numbers, you can approach funders with clarity, confidence, and vision.

→ Schedule a conversation with our team

Learn your numbers to steer your fundraising goals better!