Financial Stewardship
Financial planning is the backbone of a sustainable farmers market.
This section covers the financial practices that keep your market running: building a budget, using cash flow tools, choosing the right finance software, and developing the bookkeeping routines that keep you organized and informed. But it's also about something bigger. The way the market stewards its money says a great deal about what it stands for and who it's there to serve.
Financial Planning & Accounting
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The seasonal workshops offered by A Bookkeeping Cooperative are an excellent way to strengthen understanding of basic financial terminology, the 4 different financial reports (budget, cash flow, profit & loss, balance sheet), and how your financials interact with organizational values. ABC’s workshops are informative, well crafted and lots of fun!
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Examples of financial policies collected from Oregon markets.
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This self-assessment from the Nonprofit Association of Oregon helps you pinpoint gaps in your financial practices and determine where to focus your energy and resources. It evaluates five key areas: Financial Planning, Execution, Recording, Reporting, and Monitoring. You'll get a clear picture of where your organization stands and what steps to take toward stronger, more compliant financial management.
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The basics: how to set up a bookkeeping and accounting system for your nonprofit, how accounting for not-for-profits is different from for-profit accounting, and what to look out for when doing your taxes.
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There are many invoicing and budgeting applications you can utilize for your farmers market. Here is a list of top picks based on pricing, features, support and more
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Articles and how-tos for nonprofits using Quickbooks. Also check their latest webinar offerings for bookkeeping software training.
Budgeting
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OFMA’s simple budget template for farmers markets. Make a copy and adjust to your needs!
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Budget and cashflow templates created by A Bookkeeping Cooperative: a worker-owned union cooperative dedicated to building solidarity economies.
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Marketumbrella.org made scenarios of four budgets based on its own market experiences in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each scenario is distinguished by staff size, organizational structure and vendor fee structure. For example, one scenario is for a seasonal market with a flat stall fee and no paid staff. Another has paid staff, collects flat stall fees, and operates under the auspices of a fiscal sponsor. A third supposes paid staff, a flat stall fee vendor structure, and runs its own back office and bookkeeping operation. The last scenario examines a market with paid staff that charges a percentage of vendor sales for its income and also has its own office
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A concise guide from Propel Nonprofits to how to create a budget.
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Your budget isn't just numbers on a spreadsheet. It's a reflection of your mission, your values, and your commitment to the people who make your work possible.
Webinar Recordings
In this webinar, nonprofit accountant Ari Rosner provides guidance to farmers market staff, bookkeepers, and treasurers on managing market finances, especially food access programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and DUFB (Double Up Food Bucks). Accompanying materials include a slide deck.
This OFMA workshop with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon provides an overview of basic financial principles, including board member responsibilities, understanding restrictions, reviewing your statements for key financial indicators, and internal controls. Accompanying materials include slide deck, revenue goals and SWOT handouts.
Another OFMA workshop with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon where we explore how cash flows in and out of an organization, learn how to use a cash flow ledger to track financial history and project into the future, and learn the financial health indicators that can jeopardize financial stability. Accompanying materials include slide deck, and a cash flow template.
Webinar featuring the BC Association of Farmers' Markets and the Fraser North Farmers' Market Society discussing practical tips and tools to gear up for budget planning season, from crafting your financial tale to presenting to your financial board. Includes this farmers market budget template download.