Our Tip of the Month series shares practical advice inspired by our Principles and Practices Guide: Best Practices for North Carolina Nonprofits designed to help you strengthen your organization, engage your community, and achieve your mission.
These are tough times for many nonprofits. With everything happening in the world – political tensions, economic shifts, and persistent community needs – it can feel overwhelming to lead effectively. Board members play a huge role in keeping organizations steady, but navigating these challenges still isn’t easy. To help, we’ve pulled together some key board governance tips to help keep your board engaged.
- Make sure there is a clear commitment to organizational values so it will help guide discussions and prevent mission creep.
- With diverse perspectives, boards must create a culture where differing opinions are heard and inherent humanity is upheld. Encourage respectful forms of communication to prevent political divisions from disrupting governance.
- Boards should actively assess potential risks – legal, financial, reputation – and develop contingency plans to address these challenges effectively. It may be helpful to conduct a risk assessment and prioritize needs.
- Boards must stay informed on laws affecting nonprofits, including lobbying rules, 501(c)(3) restrictions, and governance best practices. Be proactive by scheduling a legal compliance review annually.
- Provide ongoing governance training to ensure board members understand their roles, responsibilities, and fiduciary duties, equipping them to navigate complex challenges effectively.
- Board members must act in the best interest of the organization, making informed decisions with transparency and accountability to uphold public trust.
Helpful Resources & Tools:
- Guidebook for Boards of Directors of North Carolina Nonprofits, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
- Legal Compliance Checklist for North Carolina Nonprofits, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
- Board Culture & Dynamics, BoardSource
Board governance is one of the key topics covered in the Nonprofit Management Institute. With cohorts convened in the spring and fall each year, the virtual Nonprofit Management Institute brings together nonprofit executives, managers, and board leaders to assess their organizations’ management practices, identify successes and challenges, and build capacity. Register now for our spring cohort, April 2-May 7, 2025.
