Board Service

The Nonprofit Sector

We begin by sharing information about the vital work offered by nonprofit sector organizations in the U.S. and describing the size and impact of this ‘third sector.’ Did you realize the wide variety of organizations that classify as nonprofit? Hospitals, animal welfare, churches, social services, grant-making foundations, political organizations and environmental causes, and much more!

Getting to Know Nonprofit Organizations

How is a nonprofit organization established, and what are its unique features? Who regulates nonprofits and why are bylaws so important? Nonprofit organizations differ from for-profit businesses in their purpose, sources of revenue, customers, and distribution of profits.

The Governing Role in a Nonprofit

What is a ‘governing board’ and what does it do? As with the wide variety of nonprofit types, there is similar variety in the ways boards operate. Some are ‘working boards’ (where members also work as volunteer staff) while others serve in more of a policy-making role. We share features of ‘high-performing’ boards and highlight common struggles of boards of directors.

Essential Board Responsibilities

You have learned that there are many important activities nonprofit boards undertake to ensure the organization’s dual bottom line, i.e., its financial and mission sustainability. In this module, develop a deeper understanding and a few key skills related to the three vital areas on which boards of directors must focus as they govern the nonprofit organization.

Becoming an Active & Engaged Board Member

We round out the training by describing important ways an individual director can be involved. As a board member, you can contribute new ideas, personal connections and knowledge to support a nonprofit organization? How much money must you contribute? How long a term will you serve? The training concludes with key trends impacting the sector and final thoughts to guide your selection of an organization to serve as a board member.