Being energy efficient and reducing your nonprofit organization's carbon footprint not only has a positive effect on the environment, it will also reduce your costs. Investing in simple initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting can bring long-term savings.

Let's face it. These are difficult financial times. Now's the time to be hyper-vigilant about managing both expenses and cashflow. Here are just a few ideas:

• Seek discounts from current vendors
• Explore bartering arrangements with other nonprofits/NGOs
• Negotiate payment schedules
• Accelerate your collections on receivables
• Limit or eliminate travel

We've compiled a list of both traditional and not-so-traditional ways to limit and manage cost and cash. Get links to those resources here.

Need a basic budget primer to share with new staff or Board members? Check out this recent white paper from Bridget Hartnett, CPA, Senior Manager, Sobel & Co. Nonprofit and Social Services Group.

It covers the following areas:

• Defining “Budget”
• The Role of a Budget in the Nonprofit Sector
• The Budget Process
• Sample Budgets and Worksheets

View the full white paper here.