register for the empower tomorrow program

 Are you ready to take control of your financial future?

Join us for our 'Empower Tomorrow' program, where we aim to equip you with essential financial literacy skills through our interactive and informative program.

 3 Unique Modules, Each 24 Hours Long  

This program will cover similar information as Module 1 but tailored specifically for Grassroots Organizations/Non-Profits.

• Specialized financial strategies and tools
• In-depth session on tax tips and community fund building
• (Possible Guest Speakers)

Tuesday, January 21 5:30 to 8:30:: 

• Session 1: Introduction to Financial Literacy
  • Objective: Establish the importance of financial literacy in nonprofit organizations.
  • Topics Covered:
    • Overview of financial literacy and its relevance to nonprofits
    • Key financial concepts: income, expenses, assets, liabilities
    • Types of nonprofit funding (grants, donations, etc.)
    • Financial management basics: why it matters for sustainability

Thursday, January 23 5:30 to 8:30::

• Session 2: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements
  • Objective: Teach participants how to read and understand nonprofit financial statements.
  • Topics Covered:
    • Balance Sheet (Statement of Financial Position)
    • Income Statement (Statement of Activities)
    • Key terms: assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, net assets
    • Assessing organizational health using financial statements

Tuesday, January 28, 5:30 to 8:30::

• Session 3: Budgeting for Nonprofits
  • Objective: Develop practical skills in creating and managing budgets.
  • Topics Covered:
    • Importance of budgeting for decision-making and financial health
    • Creating a nonprofit budget
    • Operating, project, and restricted fund budgets
    • Common budgeting pitfalls and challenges

Thursday, January 30, 5:30 to 8:30::

• Session 4: Cash Flow Management and Planning
  • Objective: Teach participants how to manage cash flow effectively.
  • Topics Covered:
    • What is cash flow, and why is it important?
    • Creating cash flow statements and forecasting cash flow
    • Strategies to improve cash flow in nonprofits

Tuesday, February 4, 5:30 to 8:30::  

• Session 5: Funding and Sustainability
  • Objective: Explore strategies for fundraising and long-term financial sustainability.
  • Topics Covered:
    • Nonprofit fundraising strategies: grants, events, individual donations, crowdfunding, Networking
    • Developing a diversified funding strategy
    • Tracking and managing donations and grants
    • Ethical considerations
    • Transparency

Thursday, February 6 5:30 to 8:30:

• Session 6: Reporting and compliance 
  • Objective: Ensure participants understand the concept of year end closure, annual reporting and who is involved as well as the ramifications of incorporation and legal reporting obligations.
  • Topics Covered:
    • Closing your year end
    • Annual Financial Statements: to audit or not to audit financial statements, what is an auditor, what an auditor can and cannot do.
    • Incorporation, tax-exempt status and its implications
    • Compliance for charities and nonprofits in Quebec (CRA, Revenu Québec, and other regulatory bodies) (T3010, T2CO17)

Tuesday, February 11: Financial Management for Leaders

• Session 7: Financial Management for Board Members and Leaders
  • Objective: Empower nonprofit board members and leaders with tools for effective financial oversight.
  • Topics Covered:
    • The role of the board in financial oversight and governance
    • Understanding financial statements and key performance indicators (KPIs)
    • Risk management and financial decision-making
    • Best practices for creating financial policies and controls

Thursday, February 13:

• Session 8:  Organizational action plan
  • Objective: Participants will be able to use time in class to create their own organizational plan taking into consideration the elements learned in the previous sessions noted below or focus on one of these topics and create their own strategic plan, report, policy, structure or process.
  • Topics Covered:
    • Budgeting
    • Cashflow
    • Funding
    • Sustainability
    • Compliance
    • Financial management
• Networking and Open Forum: Participants share ideas, insights and resources.

We are currently seeking sponsors for our financial literacy training geared at increasing the accessibility of skills that are integral to the stability of our homes and communities. The ultimate goal is to learn to effectively manage income and expenses in order to achieve your financial goals and maintain financial stability.  

NOTE: This Community Financial Literacy Program will prioritize QTBIPOC individuals.

Explore crucial financial topics in our 4-module session.

NOTE: The sessions are split over two days, with the Saturday session continuing where the Friday session left off. Attendance at both is recommended for a full understanding of the material. 

SESSION 1 - What is Financial Literacy?

  October 4th (6:30pm-9:30pm) & October 5th (1:30pm-4:30pm) 

• Importance and implication 
• Saving and budgeting strategies
• The 75/15/10 rule
• Understanding assets and liabilities and debt 

              (With Guest Speaker Doug from 4Pillars Debt Consolidation Montreal)

• Various ways to manage money and maximize tax savings

SESSION 2 - Taxes

 October 11th (6:30pm-9:30pm) & October 12th (1:30pm-4:30pm) 

• Creating a foolproof financial system

              (With Guest Speaker Shanthony Exum)  

SESSION 3 - Different forms of investing

 October 18th (6:30pm-9:30pm) & October 19th (1:30pm-4:30pm) 

• Compound interest in Canada
• Getting started with investing 

              (With Guest Speakers from various financial institutions offering different investment strategies)

• Tax implications of various investments

SESSION 4 - Looking at Investing outside of the Box within Communities

 October 25th (6:30pm-9:30pm) & October 26th (1:30pm-4:30pm) 

• Infinite Banking
• Real estate investing
• Mortgage note investing
• A Community Listed Financial Fund
• The Partner Distribution Approach

This program will cover similar information as Module 1 but tailored specifically for Freelance Artists and Entrepreneurs. 

• Tailored financial advice and resources
• Extensive session on tax tips and community fund building
• (Possible Guest Speakers)

Session 1 : Introduction to Financial Literacy, Budgeting, Mindset & Compound Interest  

November 19th & 21th 2024, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.

• Introduction (Nov 19)
• Why is Financial Literacy essential for this group (Mikki Bradshaw, Nov 19)
• Budgeting for the One Man Band and beyond (Mikki Bradshaw & Jack Aude Pichette, Nov 21)
• Mindset & Compound Interest (Mikki Bradshaw, Nov 21)

Session 2: Debt & Credit, Strategic Planning, Assets & Liabilities 

November 26th & 28th 2024, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.

• Debt & Credit ( With Guest Speakers Doug 4pillars Mtl & Florence MicroCredit Mtl, Nov 26)
• Strategic Planning for Artists ( With Guests Speaker Val Bah, Nov 28)
• Assets and Liabilities: Solo enterprise edition (Mikki Bradshaw, Nov 28)

Session 3: Taxes, Freelance Boundaries & Business Registration 

December 3rd & 5th 2024, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. 

• Taxes: What do I do with this? ( With Guest Speaker Ems Aubin, Dec 3)
• Four Freelance Boundaries and Registering as a business entity even if you are an artist (possible guest speaker Shanthony Exum, Dec 5)
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Session 4:  Investments & Presentation of an Entrepreneur Project (L’Étage) 

December 10th & 12th 2024, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.     

• Why and how to continue to invest in and outside of yourself financially (Mikki Bradshaw & Guest Speaker Laura Whiteland, Dec 10th)
• Q & about Artist Incorporation, Registration and Related tax planning (With Guest Speaker Mike Niro Founder and Tax Hero at Creative Taxes Inc, Dec 10th)
• L’Etage Entrepreneur Project ( With Guest Speaker Nicolas Handfield, Dec 12)

NOTE :  This program is designed to empower artists and entrepreneurs in Montreal with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate their financial lives confidently. By the end of the eight days, participants should feel equipped to manage their finances effectively and strategically plan for their futures.