Harnessing Professional Skills to Strengthen Non-Profits - Barry G. Moss
Non-profits are the heartbeat of our communities. They deliver essential services, champion causes, and create impact that changes lives. Yet, many operate with tight budgets and limited resources, which makes professional expertise an invaluable gift. From finance to technology to building maintenance, the skills we use every day in our careers can directly strengthen a non-profit’s operations and mission.
Few people understand this better than Barry Moss, Board Director, former EY Partner, and seasoned business strategist with more than 30 years of experience advising boards and mentoring executives. Barry has chaired audit, budget, and finance committees across the non-profit sector and brings a wealth of knowledge on how professionals can make a difference.
In this interview, Barry shares why every skill is transferable, how volunteering professional expertise builds trust with donors, and why even hands-on help like truck maintenance or food bank sorting is vital. His message is clear: everyone has something to offer, and when professionals step forward, non-profits thrive.
Interviewer: Barry, you have served as a board director and finance chair for multiple non-profits. Why do you think it is so natural for professionals to step into these kinds of roles?
Barry: “If you have a particular skill set, it often matches what a non-profit needs. For me, that has meant chairing audit committees, finance committees, or budget committees and making sure resources are being spent appropriately and in line with what the board has approved.
But this is not limited to finance. Someone in insurance can help an organization buy coverage more cost effectively. Someone in the media can help with PR. Someone in information technology can help implement systems that make the organization run more efficiently. Even building maintenance expertise can prevent major capital expenses and keep monthly upkeep affordable. The more professionals share their skills, the more we can stretch limited resources and do meaningful work.”
Interviewer: So this is not just about finance people like yourself. Is it really about transferable skills?
Barry: “Yes. Any skill can be transferable.
If you are an engineer or architect, you may be able to help with a building project. A lawyer can review leases and contracts. An IT professional can strengthen security or streamline operations. A mechanic can help a food bank maintain its delivery trucks. The key is to talk to the non-profit, understand their needs, and see where your expertise can fit.”
Interviewer: You have mentioned that outside perspectives can be particularly valuable. Can you explain?
Barry: “When you are not working inside the organization every day, you see things differently. You can reassess how things are done, suggest improvements, and help set direction. From a fundraising standpoint, having the right people involved builds trust. Donors want their dollars to go toward the mission rather than administrative overhead. When skilled volunteers step in, costs go down and donors see that their contributions are being used wisely.”
Interviewer: Can you share an example of the kind of oversight or value you have personally brought to a non-profit?
Barry: “One area I focus on is how money is being spent. That may mean renegotiating contracts, ensuring budgets are not exceeded without proper explanation, or identifying efficiencies that free up more funds for the mission. It is about oversight, but also about helping executives do their jobs better by giving them a sounding board and a fresh perspective.”
Interviewer: In your view, what are non-profits most in need of right now?
Barry: “Fundraising is always at the top of the list. If a professional has a network, it can dramatically expand the reach of the development team.
Just as important is spending wisely. Whether it is insurance, legal services, technology systems, building upkeep, or equipment, making cost-effective choices with the help of specialists is critical.”
Interviewer: What would you say to someone who thinks they do not have anything to offer a non-profit?
Barry: “ I would say that is a mistake. Everyone has something to offer. It could be professional expertise or it could be hands-on help, such as packing boxes at a food bank, sorting supplies, or doing maintenance. The point is to get involved. Good things will happen for the organization, for the people it serves, and for you.”
In conclusion…
“Think about what you do each day. How could that skill set help a non-profit? There is a place for everyone to make a difference, and the impact you can have may be far greater than you imagine.”
