From Static to Strategic: Building Agility with Vena’s FP&A Tools – Presented by JMT Consulting
Featuring: Buu-Linh Tran, CPA (SVP of Financial Solutions, JMT Consulting)
Guest: Dan Holcomb (Financial Planning Analyst, JMT Consulting)
In Times of Funding Uncertainty, Agility is Everything
Many nonprofits today face a volatile funding landscape: changes in federal grants, rising operational costs, and unpredictable alternative revenue streams. Static annual budgets are no longer enough. JMT Consulting led this session to equip finance leaders with modern tools and strategies to stay nimble.
Why Nonprofits Need to Shift Their Approach
Traditional budgeting methods can’t keep pace with today’s realities:
- Annual budgets are outdated shortly after being finalized
- Manual processes slow down month-end closes
- Lack of real-time data hinders proactive decisions
- Unexpected funding changes can derail operations
The Case for Forecasting and Scenario Planning
JMT emphasized that successful nonprofits must build a culture of dynamic planning:
- Real-time forecasting helps nonprofits adapt to disruptions
- Scenario modeling prepares organizations for “what if” situations
- Interactive planning strengthens alignment across departments
“Organizations using scenario planning are 70% more likely to maintain financial stability during downturns.” – McKinsey
Vena: A Strategic FP&A Platform for Nonprofits
JMT introduced Vena, a cloud-based financial planning and analysis tool designed to work seamlessly with familiar tools like Excel while integrating with ERPs like Sage Intacct. Key features include:
- Centralized data and automated workflows
- Real-time dashboards and reporting
- Collaborative planning across finance and operations
- Scenario testing to support better decision-making
Implementation Insights
The team walked through how to shift to a proactive, data-driven culture:
- Foster cross-functional planning (not just finance)
- Use forecasting as a routine part of your workflow
- Link revenue pipelines to strategic goals
- Accelerate reporting cycles to stay responsive
Practical Takeaways
- Budgeting must be collaborative and frequent—not once a year
- Tools like Vena support transparency, speed, and smarter decisions
- Cash forecasting and communication are essential in times of uncertainty
Advice to Other Nonprofits
“Start with the right mindset. Forecasting isn’t about predicting the future perfectly—it’s about being ready for it. Choose tools and partners that make it easy to involve everyone in the process.”
Final Takeaway
Agility is the new must-have for nonprofit finance. With tools like Vena and the support of a strategic partner like JMT Consulting, finance teams can lead their organizations with confidence—no matter what the future holds.
Ready to Build Agility into Your Planning?
JMT Consulting is here to help your nonprofit evaluate, implement, and optimize FP&A tools like Vena to stay ahead in today’s ever-changing landscape.