There's a verse I keep coming back to as we head into fall: "They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." (Psalm 1:3)
Six years ago, I planted Thrive with a simple belief: nonprofits and churches deserve the same financial clarity and strategic partnership that any thriving organization has access to. Those early years were all roots. Quiet, unseen, faithful work. Building systems, earning trust, and learning what it really means to steward someone else's mission alongside our own.
Our team is growing. Our clients are making bolder, more confident decisions. And the relationships we've built with so many of you have become one of the most meaningful parts of this work. That's not a business metric. That's grace.
Later this month, our leadership team will gather in Lubbock for our annual planning. We run on EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System), and every year we set aside time to look backward honestly before we plan forward. We celebrate the wins. We name what's hard. We pray. And then we set the vision for where God is leading us next.
I want you to know: you are part of that conversation. Every goal we set, every rock we commit to for 2027, is shaped by the organizations we serve and the people behind them. Your missions fuel ours.
So as we step into this next season, I want to say plainly: thank you. Thank you for trusting us with financial wisdom, your teams, and your vision. Thank you for letting us into the rooms where the hard decisions happen. And thank you for doing the sacred, often exhausting work of leading an organization that exists to serve others.
We don't take that trust lightly. And we're heading into 2027 with hopeful expectation for what's ahead.
With gratitude and faith,
Terisa Clark
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Why we made this change
This month, our team is helping clients finalize year-end projections and scendario plan 2027. The organizations that plan proactively lead from clarity, not reaction.
Here's what one client had to say about the difference that makes:
"I feel like I'm much more knowledgeable and I'm asking better questions, and I'm better equipped to do what I'm doing as head of school."
ā€” John DePoe, Head of School, Kingdom Preparatory Academy
That's what having a CFO in your corner does: it's not just about the numbers. It's about building the confidence to lead from them.
Join us this month for our Community Learning Lab: Budget 101 with Terisa Clark. Whether you're building your first nonprofit budget or refining the one you have, Terisa will walk through the essentials: what a healthy budget actually looks like, how to align it with your mission, and the most common mistakes she's seen in over 30 years of nonprofit financial leadership. Bring your questions.
A Note About the Master's Circle
As we head into this next season, we want to share something with you. After prayerful consideration, we've made the decision to close the Master's Circle community. November's Community Learning Lab will be our final gathering. Thank you for being part of this community. The connections, the conversations, and the wins we've celebrated together have meant more than we can say. We're not going anywhere. We're just growing into what's next.
Our Leadership Principles describe the standard you can expect from our team. This month: Say It Simple.
Nonprofit finance can feel like its own language: restricted vs. unrestricted, functional allocations, net asset classifications, statement of activities. We believe none of that should stand between you and a clear understanding of where your organization stands.
Say It Simple means we don't hide behind jargon. When we present a financial report, you'll understand it. When we flag a concern, you'll know exactly what it means and what to do about it. When we walk through your budget, you'll leave the conversation with clarity, not more questions.
Because the goal was never to impress you with complexity. The goal is to equip you to lead confidently from the numbers, in language that makes sense to your board, your team, and your mission.
Clarity is kindness. And you deserve both.
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