Elaine Bickel
Elaine Bickel, treasurer of the Gabriel Homes Board of Directors, has served as treasurer for many organizations, including Great Falls Little League.
Thirty years ago, I saw an ad in my parish’s bulletin for a nonprofit that needed a bookkeeper.
My children were little, and I wasn’t working outside of the home. Having extra time on my hands, I applied for the role and ended up working at Gabriel Homes for about five years.
Setting Gabriel Homes up for Financial Success
Working at Gabriel Homes was a privilege that left a lasting impression on me. I helped formalize our accounting with the new software at the time. The most exciting days were the days we expanded. Gabriel Homes had four homes when I started, and we bought two more before I left. The bookkeeping and financial growth reflected Gabriel Homes’ care, compassion, and commitment to the residents.
Compared to when I was an employee, serving on the board offers a broader view of the organization as a whole. Gabriel Homes is more focused and thoughtful on its growth, with more ways to bring in funding and plan for the future. There is now a solid system in place to support financial planning, oversight, and accountability.
Equally important is our financial transparency. What was once a small operation in the ‘90s is now a system with clearly defined financial policies, regular reporting, and board-level engagement in budgeting and audits. Transparency around finances has strengthened trust among our families, donors, and community, and it helps the board to make more informed decisions.
My time on the board concludes at the end of the year.
Since returning to Gabriel Homes in 2016, we’ve made steady progress in building a foundation for the future. We are in a strong financial position thanks to the hard work of many people. I’m proud of where Gabriel Homes is and am excited for what’s ahead.