Governance Resources

All 501(c)3 non-profit agencies must be governed by a board of directors. It is the responsibility of the board to ensure that the mission of your organization is being upheld in a lawful and ethical manner. Board members work in partnership with your nonprofit to provide financial oversight, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, monitor your long-term viability and deliver accountability to your constituents.

Articles on Non-profit Governance

• Boards and Leadership Hires: How to Get It Right
• Community-Engagement Governance in Action

Links on Non-profit Governance

Web Resources

• BoardSource
  Offers a monthly e-newsletter and online resources, publications, consulting services, workshops and membership benefits
• CompassPoint: Board Café Newsletter
  A free electronic newsletter written entirely for boards of directors
• Nonprofit Good Practice Guide: Governance 
  Provides a glossary of governance terminology with links to articles, websites and other resources
• The Foundation Center
  Provides a list of internet resources and publications on board-related issues

Publications

• John Carver books
  John Carver is a well-known author on the subject of governance. His website provides a list of training opportunities as well as publications.
• The Nonprofit Quarterly:
  • The Nonprofit Quarterly. Fall 2003. “A Powerful Vision: Governance Suited to Purpose.” Volume 10, Issue 3.
  • The Nonprofit Quarterly. Summer 1999. “Reconsidering Governance.” Volume 6, Issue 2.
• Chait, Richard P., William P. Ryan, and Barbara E. Taylor. 2004. Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
  Honorable mention recipient of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management’s 2006 Terry McAdam Book Award