Nonprofit Governance Models

Good governance is an essential component of sustainability and leadership. Not all nonprofit boards are run well. A poorly run board could even cause click now the organization’s failure. If your non-profit is just beginning or has been in existence for a long time, making sure your board works effectively will aid in overcoming obstacles and achieve success in the long term.

The most important job of a nonprofit board is the development of a strategic vision. The board should be comprised of people who are willing to put in the time and effort needed to accomplish this task. This requires a thorough selection procedure to find a mix of diverse backgrounds and expertise. It is essential to provide training and support to both the new and experienced members of the board when they work together and make decisions at the highest level regarding the non-profit.

If the board is able to prioritize strategic goals, they should be able trust the executive director to run the day-today operations of the non-profit. Nonprofits shouldn’t rely entirely on board committees to perform operations, as this can lead to unreliable and inefficient decision-making.

If a nonprofit board does not have a CEO who is an official, it is often operating under the Cooperative Government Model. It is a democratic model that shares power equally among board members. It works best when board members are able to demonstrate equal commitment to the organization and the willingness to keep each other accountable for their actions. To avoid conflicts of interests the nonprofit must develop a well-written policy on conflict of interest and review the policy with board members frequently.