Do Nonprofit Boards Need Term Limits?
Strong nonprofit boards do not happen by accident. They are built through clear expectations, thoughtful governance practices, and a willingness to evolve as organizations grow and change. As we continue our focus on effective board leadership, and through our work with Board Building, we are revisiting a conversation that remains just as important today as […]
Why Strategic Visioning Works
For many nonprofit leaders, strategic planning can feel like a heavy lift. Long timelines, complex documents, and expensive processes often make it hard to prioritize, especially when day-to-day work is already demanding. At the same time, the need for clarity has never been greater. That is where strategic visioning comes in. Strategic visioning offers leadership a practical approach to […]
Planning Your Board Calendar
It’s not too early to begin planning for 2026 – and not just your organization’s projects and programs but your board’s work as well. Here are five key insights as you build a board calendar. We hope these insights help you plan a meaningful 2026 for your board. Let us know what might be new […]
How to Build a Better Board
As you begin planning your board calendar for 2025, one key aspect of that planning process is to consider who will be the board candidates that your organization will recruit, nominate, and onboard. Using a comprehensive board matrix – that includes demographics, skills, affiliations, and other measures – guides the work of your governance committee and can impact your […]
Power + Nonprofit Boards – Part Two
Last week, we reviewed the power dynamics of nonprofit boards and donors, the larger cultural context at play, and how those challenges impact chief executives and the sector. This week, we highlight a study commissioned by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) with the research of two professors — Drs. Erynn Beaton and Megan LePere-Schloop […]
Power + Nonprofit Boards – Part One
“Over the door to the nonprofit’s boardroom there should be an inscription in big letters that says: ‘Membership on this board is not power, it is responsibility.’” – Peter F. Drucker[1] There is nothing new about nonprofit board members acting as power brokers or donors using their affluence for influence. There is also nothing new […]
How Do You Know if You’re Ready to Launch a Campaign?
Are we ready for a campaign? How much can we raise? What do our donors think about our organization and the campaign vision? Where will our lead gift come from? These questions are the reason our team conducts feasibility studies for nonprofits. When we embark on a feasibility study, we look at two primary areas: […]
To Executive Committee or Not to Executive Committee?
To executive committee or not to executive committee? That is the question. It tends to be conventional wisdom that: 1) an executive committee is an essential facet of nonprofit board governance, and 2) that it’s easier to make decisions with a small group than it is with the larger board. There is also a universal […]
Board Operations Part Two — Improving the Board Agenda
This column continues a series we started last week on board operations. Over the next several weeks, we will explore various topics on board governance to build the capacity of the sector. Of all the conversations that we have with nonprofit leaders, board governance issues always rise to the top. Today we focus on how […]
Board Operations Part One — The Difference Between Board Roles and Staff Roles
Today’s column begins a series on board operations. Over the next several weeks, we will explore various topics on board governance to build the capacity of the sector. Of all the conversations that we have with nonprofit leaders, board governance issues always rise to the top. Today we focus on the difference between board roles […]