I have been an investment banker for almost forty years, financing some of the most innovative public works projects in the western United States. I have advised large not-for-profit organizations, such as hospitals and universities, on complex debt financing and refinancing options. I have been a contract CFO, endowment fund manager and consultant, planned giving lecturer and consultant, and a trustee for several grassroots organizations. I have a particular interest in special needs organizations, and their programs and support for my daughter with Down Syndrome.

In 2015, I wrote Beyond Hand to Mouth: Tactical Finance for the Not-For-Profit Organization. I did not set out to write a book. But I had so many notes and stories, from years of working professionally with such organizations, that I had to either document the experience, or discard it altogether. I wrote a little every morning for five months, eventually uploaded a manuscript to Amazon, and promptly forgot about it.

To my surprise, I began to receive regular royalty checks. I had no idea how anyone knew the book existed, let alone found it on Amazon. Even more surprising (and flattering), I began to receive emails from purchasers of the book, from people affiliated with charitable organizations. The emails all read the same – that the book struck a chord, and they felt compelled to reach out to the author.

Given such an unexpected response, I have always intended to write a follow-up or revised edition, blog posts, or in some way continue the conversation. But life has a habit of getting in the way, and eight years quickly passed.

The timing may now be quite appropriate, given the likelihood of an impending recession. Charities and non-for-profit organizations tend to be among the first casualties in an economic downturn.

I look forward to your participation.

Beyond Hand to Mouth - Tactical Finance for Not-For-Profit Organizations