Non-Profit Board - Good to Excellent

How does a non-profit board shift from being good to being excellent?

The difference between good and excellent lies in thoughtfulness, intentionality, action, engagement, knowledge and communication.

A good board understands its fiduciary responsibilities, approves and reviews strategic plans and budgets, regularly reviews financial statements, evaluates the Executive Director annually, and participates in fundraising.

Excellent boards give more of their time, talent, treasure and ties, but they give these things in different ways. Their social networks might be leveraged, they may give a financial donation to the organization, or connect the organization to funding agencies. Excellent boards measure impact, evaluate their own performance, open doors for the nonprofit and make external connections jointly with the Executive Director.

Three precursors enable a nonprofit board to become excellent.

1. A frank and open relationship between the Executive Director and the board

2. Intentional governance that adapts as the organization evolves

3. Engaged board members with intellectual curiosity and an appetite for a challenge

Passion is translated into engagement and action in an excellent board.