Non-Profit Board Responsibilities

What Responsibilities?

What are the basic responsibilities of a non-profit board, and how do we know if we are fulfilling our responsibilities?

A quick way for a board to check if it is fulfilling its responsibilities, is for the Chair to ask an outside volunteer to review the board meeting minutes for the past year, and observe two meetings. The volunteer summarizes what they think the board’s responsibilities are based on this observation. This is an illuminating way to determine if the board is actively fulfilling its responsibilities.

The range of responsibilities can be quite wide ranging, but in general, most non-profit boards are responsible for the following:

• Determine the mission and purpose of the organization.

• Select, support and evaluate the Executive Director.

• Actively participate in making board plans, then implement and monitor those plans. (Board plans include the strategic plan, board development plan, and the board’s annual work plan)

• Monitor and evaluate organizational programs.

• Obtain financial resources.

• Protect assets and provide financial oversight.

• Build a competent board that reflects the nonprofit’s lifecycle stage.

• Ensure legal and ethical integrity.

• Enhance the organization’s public standing.