Q&A with Chief Financial Officer Robert Pickering 

We’d like to introduce you to Robert Pickering, Chief Financial Officer, who joined The Family Partnership in March. We asked Robert to share his background and his thoughts on what he hopes to accomplish at The Family Partnership.   

Tell us about your background and what brought you to The Family Partnership.

I have always been drawn to mission-based organizations and have worked in the nonprofit and social services sector my entire career. Most recently, I spent eight and a half years as the CFO at Accord, a nonprofit that supports people with disabilities, where I oversaw finance, IT, and facilities.

Prior to that, I was the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Lifetrack Resources, a Minnesota nonprofit that later became part of Lutheran Social Services. That’s actually where I first learned about The Family Partnership (TFP). Lifetrack also had a therapeutic preschool, and during that time, I had the chance to meet John Everett Till, TFP’s Chief Strategy Officer. He shared information about how best to create opportunities and positive outcomes for children in early childhood education programs.  

Is there a personal experience or value that guides your approach to financial leadership in the nonprofit sector? 

My path began with Community Action of Ramsey and Washington Counties in the early 1990s with the Head Start program.  The Clinton Administration doubled the Head Start funding and I was charged with managing the budget, as well as finding classroom space and managing transportation, and food services.  

Working with young children—many of whom were navigating difficult life circumstances—helped me see how early childhood programs like Head Start could offer equitable access to quality education. That sense of equity and fairness still guides my work today. 

What excites you most about joining TFP at this moment in time? 

The staff and leadership have been very welcoming. TFP has a rich history and strong reputation in the community, and I am looking forward to a new opportunity and challenge. We are creating systems and processes that will help the organization build financial resilience, make the best use of our resources, and help guide sound business decisions. 

TFP is prioritizing financial stability in our bridge strategic framework. What would you say to funders, partners, and community members about the organization’s path forward?  

We’re focused on being accountable and transparent with the resources entrusted to us. Our goal is to make smart decisions that maximize the impact of every dollar. I appreciate that TFP is located on Lake Street, rooted right in the heart of the community we serve. Our path forward includes continuing our community-centered programming. I also want to continue to figure out ways to support our early childhood programs. 

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for your first months/through the end of the year as CFO?  

My primary focus is ensuring TFP remains financially sustainable to continue to serve the community for at least another 147 years. My goal is to help program managers meet their budget goals while creating the strongest impact they can.  

Anything else to add?  

I sit on the board of directors of Nonprofit Insurance Trust which provides liability and worker’s comp to nonprofit organizations. TFP is a member of that trust. I also sit on the finance committee for Emma North Services and on the executive committee for the Minnesota Multifaith Network. 

I believe in and am committed to giving back to the community, both through my career and my volunteer work. 

As we establish the financial foundation for our next chapter—we invite you to be part of it! Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, or just believe in our mission, your support clears the path for family success in Minneapolis. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed and get involved.