Every nonprofit board has done it – gathered around a table, reviewed a carefully worded mission and vision statement or a list of organizational values, and voted to approve them. Minutes recorded. Box checked. Meeting adjourned.

Good exit and succession planning are vital activities, regardless of your age or career stage. There are some action steps to explore but, first, you should spend time to discover and prepare in each of these areas before taking action.

Clearly, the current environment is a wakeup call for nonprofits. The good news may be this—nonprofits have faced and pulled through past crises.

There is nothing more tragic than a business that closes when the owner retires, especially when that business provides a valuable product or service that people rely on. In order to plan for long-term business continuity, you must challenge your assumptions about how you plan and structure your organization. While it may seem daunting, the following steps make the process much less overwhelming.

Here are some tips to help your board be more engaged and effective. Doing all of these things may feel daunting, but adding a few to your new year’s resolution list can help your board Thrive in ’25!

Ensuring program effectiveness is crucial for nonprofits. Introducing logic models to the program planning process can fill the missing piece and boost confidence in program success.

One of the most critical responsibilities of a nonprofit board is to assess, oversee, and enhance the organization's programs and services. This essential duty is entrusted to the board's program committee. The program committee holds a pivotal role in realizing strategic plan objectives, and the absence of an effective committee can have detrimental effects on your organization.

In this article, we will dissect the 5 essential responsibilities of the program committee, providing a comprehensive understanding of their crucial role in organizational success.

Being a new board member comes with a unique set of challenges but more importantly, it comes with a variety of opportunities!

With these 6 tips in your back pocket, you’re able to better understand your role and more effectively serve the nonprofit organization close to your heart.

As the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, preparing new board members for successful board service is a crucial responsibility. However, when was the last time you onboarded a first-time board member? Someone with no prior board service experience requires a unique onboarding process tailored to their specific needs. This special onboarding is essential, especially when aiming to recruit young professionals or individuals new to board service. Failing to recognize these unique learning needs could lead to a less than favorable outcome for both you and the new board member.

Board governance is a critical aspect of nonprofit organizations, and it's not uncommon for board members to exhibit behaviors that may inadvertently hinder the organization's progress. Recognizing and addressing these problematic habits is crucial for the overall health and success of the nonprofit. In this blog, we'll explore 10 common problematic board habits and discuss effective strategies to overcome them. By understanding and addressing these behaviors, nonprofit boards can function more effectively and contribute to the greater good of the organization.

How can you effectively engage the board to be a catalyst for real change?

Check out our latest blog post featured on the Standards for Excellence Institute website!

If you’re passionate about board service, you’ve probably wondered how your organization can ensure a high performing board.

The Standards for Excellence:® An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector helps board members like yourself understand best practices in board performance so that you can identify and implement strategies to ensure a high performing board.