In the nonprofit world, we talk a lot about partnerships. Funders want to know grantees are working together. Organizations want to avoid duplicating efforts. And leaders know that partnerships often make smart business sense. Unfortunately, too many partnerships fail...
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Seven Ways a Board Secretary Serves a Nonprofit
Of all the officer positions on the nonprofit board, the board secretary role is often the most misunderstood and under-appreciated. Most assume that the title "board secretary" is synonymous with "note-taker" and that the secretary’s duties are focused solely on...
What Does High-Functioning Leadership Look Like?
Often the idea of becoming a great leader—or helping other team members become great leaders—can feel out of reach. We’re all busy running from one project to the next, from Zoom call to Zoom call. Who has time to set aside several whole days for off-site leadership...
Working Board vs Governing Board – Making the Transition
Is your mostly volunteer-run nonprofit ready to take the leap and hire its first executive staff member? If so, then you’re about to join the ranks of nonprofit startups taking a critical step toward long-term growth, sustainability, and capacity building. For your...
Nonprofit Capacity Building Basics
Nonprofit capacity building is an evergreen topic for boards and executive directors. Why? Because our organizations are always growing and changing to meet shifting community needs. Imagine this: Your programs are humming along. Your fundraising is on the rise. Your...
What is Nonprofit Governance and Why Does it Matter?
Governance—or lack thereof—in the business world has been making headlines of late. So here at Funding for Good we thought we’d take a moment to explore some key governance questions in the nonprofit sector. What is nonprofit governance? Why does nonprofit governance...
Consent Agendas: What They Are and How to Use Them
Consent agendas offer a practical solution for decision-makers who want to maximize every minute of a board meeting. What exactly is a consent agenda? A consent agenda, also known as a “consent calendar” in Robert’s Rule of Order, refers to individual points of...
Five Ways a Nonprofit Leader Can Better Engage the Board
"Our biggest problem is that our board isn't active!" Nonprofit leaders report that a handful of board members consistently do all the work. In fact, "Only 33 percent of nonprofits report that their board members are actively involved in advocating for their missions"...
Four Essential Duties of a Nonprofit Board Chair
The role of a nonprofit board chair is often undervalued and overlooked. As a result, many nonprofit leaders find themselves stepping into a leadership role that has not been clearly defined or they have not been intentionally prepared to fill. Before outlining the...
How Many Board Members Should a Nonprofit Have?
Are you ready to grow your nonprofit board of directors but struggle to define “how many members are too many” or “how few is too few”? To start, it's crucial to recognize that no simple “magic number” constitutes the perfect-sized board for every organization....
The Dysfunctional Board: What Nonprofit Boards Need to Know to Improve
Finding that elusive balance of passion, expertise, and productivity is a quest that keeps nonprofit boards stressing and striving annually. Acknowledging current nonprofit leadership trends and the current realities within your own board culture is the first step to...
Managing an Executive Director: The Board’s Top Five Responsibilities
Finding that perfect balance of power and productivity is one of the most common challenges that nonprofit leaders face. The board governance model is one of four primary nonprofit governance models. These organizations are structured to grant the power of governance...
Strong Executive Committee – Build in 5 Intentional Steps
Are you the concerned board leader struggling to fill open seats on your Executive Committee, or the board member who tentatively raised your hand because no one else would?
How to Select the Best Board Members for Your Nonprofit
Board leadership can break or make a nonprofit. Simply put, knowing how to select the best board members for your nonprofit is one of the most critical decisions an organization makes. As a nonprofit organization, you have a duty to seek and select qualified...
Executive Director And Board Can Overcome Differences To Achieve Goals
Effective Communication Between the Executive Director and Board Nonprofit leadership can be confusing and messy! So how can the Executive Director and Board of Directors overcome differences and work together to ACHIEVE the organization’s goals? Before we dive into...
Practicing Self-Care to Minimize Burnout
It is critical for organizational leaders at both the board and staff levels to make a conscious effort to address workplace “burnout culture.” Doing so protects both the individuals we employ and the organization we serve.
The Board Chair: 5 Strategies for Leadership Beyond the Board Room
Everyone knows that board officers hold one of the top two primary leadership positions, but many organizations admit that their board chair does little more than serve as a facilitator at the monthly meeting. Here are 5 strategies to build a culture of integrity and long-term success.
Board or Staff Retreat-Balance Pampering & Planning
Believe it or not, the key to a successful retreat requires finding the perfect balance of pampering and planning!
What 100% Board Giving Really Means
How many of you can honestly say that 100% of your board members give their time, talent, and treasure to your organization?
When Your Nonprofit Board Chair Has It Going On!
Today’s blog is dedicated to all the amazing board chairs who have stepped up and are leading with intent!
10 Questions Potential Board Members Should Ask
Before you say “YES” to serving on a board, what should you ask?