CALLING ALL NON-PROFIT OPERATIONS PERSONNEL AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS!
Have you ever struggled with the financial compliance of your multi-entity non-profit and wished for a hands-on solution? If so, Welch Financial Advisors, in collaboration with the Georgia Alliance, invites you to participate in The Lab: Building Your Compliance Blueprint—a totally FREE, game-changing opportunity designed to bridge the gap between compliance theory and real-world execution.
What is The Lab?
This 10-month immersive and comprehensive compliance program is unlike traditional compliance courses that only explain what needs to be done and leave you to figure out the rest. Instead, The Lab provides hands-on training, where compliance experts will work directly alongside you as you implement what you learn.
Key Program Features Include:
Three (3) in-person learning retreats
Webinars & working sessions with compliance experts
Self-paced learning opportunities
Guided platform configuration & execution
Why is The Lab Different?
Select and configure essential platforms (e.g., QuickBooks Online, financial automation systems, and more)
Make accurate financial entries
Determine and generate key reports
Understand nonprofit-specific financial requirements (e.g., restricted vs. unrestricted funds, political vs. non-political work)
BUT WAIT, There’s More!
If selected to join this inaugural cohort, each participant could earn a $500 BONUS for attending each of the three in-person sessions! If this sounds like a valuable resource for you and your organization, please submit the SHORT application below by Sunday, March 30th, at 6 PM EST to apply for this exclusive, no-cost inaugural learning cohort in Summer 2025. We've extended the deadline to accommodate requests for additional time to submit applications over the weekend. Awardees will be notified by Friday, April 4th.
At The Lab, we recognize that multi-entity nonprofit operations in the electoral space are fundamentally different from both corporate and standard nonprofit roles. That's why our goal is to remove the guesswork, so you can focus on execution rather than trial and error. And while you may eventually transition to different tools, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to evaluate and adapt to new systems confidently.
This NO-COST program is a rare opportunity! Apply Today!
Cecily Welch, CPA, CFP®, PFS, is The Accountant You Can Understand®, with 30+ years of expertise in accounting, tax, and compliance. She has led change management initiatives across startups to Fortune 100 firms and has extensive nonprofit leadership experience, including board service, financial education, audit liaison, and IRS audits. A champion for strong back-office operations, Cecily holds CPA licenses in Georgia and Illinois, along with CFP® and PFS certifications. In addition to being a QBO ProAdvisor, Bill.com certified, and earning the AICPA Not-For-Profit Certificate II, she is an active leader in professional organizations, empowering businesses with financial clarity.
Alison Cargo is a results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience transforming strategic vision into clear, measurable project outcomes. In addition to a BS in Accounting from Clemson, she is a Project Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma, Agile, and Scrum Fundamentals certified. Recognized for her thought leadership, Alison specializes in implementing value-added solutions that improve process efficiency, revenue recovery, compliance, and control. Alison consistently delivers impactful results under tight deadlines. In this way she excels at building stakeholder relationships, influencing key decisions, and driving organizational success.
Testimonials
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING...
"I doubt if I would have gotten the multiple 6 figure grants, we’ve been awarded without this help!"
"Even though I’m a Corporate America drop out and have worked in different professional environments in my career including other nonprofits like school systems, coming into this space was a complete and total new environment. There was nowhere to google or any go to road maps on how to do any of this. And being a small startup nonprofit headed by a black woman in the south, I got a lot of ‘amen!’s” when talking to more experienced EDs who had been in the space longer – but no answers. I felt uncertain, stressed, and nervous. I met Cecily and she began to explain to me the basics. Why and how the 990 was different, what it meant to have 2 sets of books and going through an audit of the books has not only made me a better Executive Director but has made my org look better and appropriately professional on paper. I doubt if I would have gotten the multiple 6 figure grants, we’ve been awarded without this help."
- Kimberlyn Carter, Executive Director of RepGA
"We highly recommend Welch Financial Advisors to any non-profit seeking expert financial guidance and support!"
"Working with Cecily Welch and Welch Financial Advisors has been transformative for our non-profit. We were struggling with historical financial data and needed a clear path forward. Cecily's approach is both professional and incredibly supportive. She's not only cleaned up our books and provided expert oversight of our monthly accounting, but she's also taken the time to educate me personally on non-profit bookkeeping and accounting principles. Her ability to explain complex financial concepts in a clear, accessible way has been invaluable. Cecily is tactful, patient, and truly invested in our organization's success. We feel confident and empowered knowing our financials are in such capable hands. We highly recommend Welch Financial Advisors to any non-profit seeking expert financial guidance and support."
- Tiffany Huston, Director of Operations Trinity Community Ministries
FAQs
Question 1: What’s the time commitment?
The program includes 3 in-person meetings: Jun 22-24, Sept 21-23, and Jan 12-14 (2026). These are key for learning from instructors and peers, building a supportive network. Additionally, expect 5-10 hours/month of webinars, group sessions, and office hours.
Question 2: How can we discuss our individual financials?
Organizations' financial information won't be used in presentations or workshops. However, since participants will work with sample and personal books, instructors will sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). We’ll remind participants not to disclose confidential info, and everyone will sign an NDA to protect against any potential slips.
Question 3: Besides training to help do my job more effectively and efficiently, is there anything else I should expect?
Each participant will leave with a workable draft of a financial compliance process manual, designed to onboard new team members, provide templates for others to follow, create standardized monthly and quarterly reports, and ensure processes are efficient, eliminating the need to "recreate the wheel" for each request.
Question 4: I barely have time to get a drink of water, do you really expect me to find more time for another training session?
We understand the frustration of learning new financial requirements and wondering how to manage them with limited time. While this course won't reduce the compliance demands or add hours to your day, we aim to help you evaluate what's critical, prioritize tasks, and create a plan for ongoing operations improvements.
Question 5: Do you have more questions?
If there are any other questions, please send a note to Alison Cargo [email protected].
