Board Reports That Bore: Why Incomplete Financials Hurt Decision-Making 

Let’s face it—most nonprofit boards don’t join for the financials. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to understand them.

One of the most dangerous mistakes we see is sending financial reports that are technically correct—but impossible to interpret. Reports without narrative. Numbers without explanation. A forest of line items, but no big picture.

And when that happens, boards disengage. They stop asking questions. They default to the Executive Director’s recommendation. And slowly, accountability slips.

The truth is: your board often really wants to help steer the ship. But if the financial reporting is vague, inconsistent, or confusing, even your best board members will tune out.

So how do you avoid this?

1. Present by program or funding stream, not just by account type.

2. Highlight what changed, not just what’s there.

3. Use language, not just numbers. A few sentences of context go a long way.

4. Explain variances, especially large or surprising ones.

5. Always connect to strategy. How do the numbers reflect your direction?

It’s not just about being transparent. It’s about being understood. Financial storytelling is a leadership skill—and one your board deserves.