BOLD Leaders - Not-For-Profit
Leaders in not-for-profits (NFPs) want to create and protect the value they deliver to the communities they serve. They know risk is an inherent part of what they do, but navigating the uncertainty and the risks faced confidently can feel overwhelming, particularly in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Most leaders are battling financial and resource constraints against increasing demand for their services.
While leaders in NFPs understand the importance of risk management, it often becomes a lower priority amid the challenges they are facing. When unmanaged, risks can threaten not only the sustainability of individual organisations but also the trust and confidence on which the entire sector depends.
Risk literacy is the key capability NFPs need to thrive in this environment. It is the ability to understand and apply risk concepts in context, and turns risk from a compliance burden into a strategic enabler.
Protects and creates value: safeguarding stakeholder trust, strengthening financial sustainability, and enabling innovation and opportunity.
Addresses sector challenges: helping NFPs navigate uncertain funding, rising service demands, compliance requirements, and reputational pressures.
Improves decision-making and resilience: NFPs can act with confidence, adapt to change, and avoid costly surprises.
Strengthens culture and governance: a strong risk culture, led by boards and reinforced across the organisation, ensures risk conversations are open, constructive, and opportunity-focused.
Risk literacy enables not-for-profits to move beyond compliance, building the confidence to navigate uncertainty, protect trust, and pursue opportunities that amplify their mission.
Sarah has written a paper, Navigating Uncertainty: Risk Literacy for Not-For-Profits to outline what Risk Literacy is, how it helps NFPs navigate their challenges and the elements that make it up.
You can read it here (takes you to another page - no email required).
Sarah works primarily with board members and senior leaders in not-for-profit organisations to help them protect and enhance value by managing threats and identifying opportunities.
She has an array of offerings to support NFPs in developing their risk literacy to help set them up for success.
Risk Pulse Check
This is a diagnostic to assess your board’s or leadership team’s current approach to risk. It highlights strengths, blind spots, and priority areas, providing a clear starting point for building stronger risk capability.
Risk Framework Development
For organisations needing to implement a Risk Management Framework, Sarah will develop a set of documents and processes along with an implementation and communication plan to begin the journey to uplift your approach to risk management.
Workshops
Sessions are tailored to organisational needs to help leaders enhance their risk literacy, navigate uncertainty, and lead with confidence amongst the challenges they are facing. This could be as part of the implementation of a risk management framework, an educational session or a risk identification session.
Strategy Risk Review
Sarah will review the current strategy and execution plans to identify the potential hidden risks that could hinder the success of your strategy. This can either be done as a standalone review of the existing strategy, or Sarah can join your strategy development session to ensure risk management is baked into your strategy and how it is implemented.
Risk Management Advisory
NFPs rarely have the budget (or need) for permanent risk employees, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need the expertise. Sarah offers monthly retainers, for example, 90 minutes a month to be on call to e.g. review policies, attend Board meetings, review incidents. This is a low-cost way of having an experienced risk manager ready to assist.
Ready to improve the Risk Literacy in your organisation?
Contact Sarah today either using the button below to set up a time for a chat or message her via the contact form.