Here’s your Good Numbers good news for September 2026 - a quick round-up of the what's happening in the world of small nonprofits, and the tools we’re building to support them.
Some exciting news: Good Numbers has been selected for Soda’s Growth Lab – Level Up programme, starting next week!
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be working alongside the Soda team, programme experts and a brilliant cohort of other founders to strengthen the foundations underneath Good Numbers, to explore where we can take it next.
I’m especially looking forward to getting stuck into the numbers behind Good Numbers. The ambition is bigger than simply creating a useful tool for small charities and non-profits. I want to build a strong, sustainable social enterprise - one that delivers real value for the people using it and, over time, returns value to the community.
Being selected feels like a real vote of confidence. Other people can see the value in what Good Numbers is doing, believe in its potential and want to help it grow. That is both energising and encouraging.
Sometimes progress feels slow, and sometimes it feels surprisingly fast. Either way, I like chipping away at it, and finding out what the future holds as we build our way there.
A great group joined me for a Being a Good Treasurer workshop with the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board last month, as part of its Whakatipu Ako series.
We explored fundholding, treasurer reports and six useful questions for understanding an organisation’s finances. There was plenty of good discussion - and it was encouraging to see so many people committed to strengthening their community organisations.
The Local Board also made an additional contribution, allowing us to offer every group that attended 50% off Good Numbers if they decide to sign up. A practical bit of support to help people put what we discussed into action.
More: Find upcoming Being a Good Treasurer sessions >
Ever wondered how the Good Numbers sausage is made? Or, more importantly, what the app is actually like to use?
Our new instant live demo lets you get inside, click things, move things around and generally have a good nosy. There’s no sign-up required, you can’t break anything, and whatever you change disappears after you log out.
Go on - have a play: Poke around inside the Good Numbers app >
In July, I published a simple treasurer report template for small charities, clubs, societies, and community groups. Since then, it has gone a bit crazy. Last month, it was the third most-visited page on the Good Numbers website.
I think that says something about how many volunteer treasurers are looking for a straightforward way to keep their boards and committees informed, without producing a complicated set of accounts for every meeting. The template covers the practical things people need to know: decisions required, the current cash position, committed funds, grants, upcoming payments, and important reporting dates. It is short, free, and available in both Google Docs and Microsoft Word.
If your treasurer reports could use a refresh - or you know someone who has recently found themselves volunteering for the job - you can find it here: Simple Treasurer Report Template for Small Charities and Community Groups
P.S. Bonus (controversial?) opinion: You probably shouldn’t do a full treasurer’s report at every board meeting. Try doing one every two or three months instead, so it gets the attention and focus it deserves, rather than being whizzed past as just another agenda item.
Community Networks Aotearoa’s Tick for Governance is a great overview of governance for small and medium-sized community organisations.
It is deliberately engaging, practical and even a bit humorous - so it feels less like being trapped in a governance manual and more like learning things you might actually use at your next board meeting.
The online course is suitable for everyone from complete newbies to old hands. It costs $100 per person, and the first module - Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Relationship with Māori - is free.
Till next time! Thanks for reading
Ngā mihi nui,
Duncan @ Good Numbers
Ask Duncan anything — big or small. He’ll get back to you ASAP, and your questions will help improve the information here for everyone.
