Board Governance

Find answers here to some of the most frequently asked questions that nonprofits have about the Adffordable Care Act. (National Council of Nonprofits)

This sample statement defines self-dealing transactions and describes the appropriate approval process and why prohibition of private inurement is important for all organizations.

Sample Statement for Self-Dealing Transactions

Have a burning advocacy-related question? Bolder Advocacy offers an "Ask an Expert" service, where you can submit your question and get help from their advocacy coaches. (Alliance for Justice)

The Power of Board Advocacy: A Discussion Guide for Boards is a tool for facilitating ongoing board dialogue on your organization's legal right to advocate and for helping you cultivate a culture of standing for your mission in all possible ways. (Stand For Your Mission, 2019)

Nonprofits must establish that the executive compensation (salary and benefits for senior level personnel) provided at their organization is "reasonable and not excessive." The IRS recommends a three step process referred to as "rebuttable presumption" to substantiate the reasonableness of compensation offered by an organization and provides legal guidelines: 

Executive directors sit in a unique position of authority and leadership, directing a staff while also answering to a board of directors. Effective executives learn to see their board as partner rather than boss. They also engage and mobilize their board to do high-priority work that benefits the organization. Join the Center and Third Space Studio for this webinar to explore some of the habits and mindsets that executive directors can use to create a strong sense of shared leadership with the board.

Learn about parties able to take legal action against your organization, and about Directors' and Officers' (D&O) liability insurance, in: Who Can Sue a Nonprofit Board? (Nonprofit Risk Management Center)

The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits went through the process to select and contract with an expert practitioner on equity, diversity, and inclusion to facilitate our organization's internal equity work.

Staff who are not in leadership positions sometimes ask how they can initiate discussions about racial equity. Sometimes, organizations' leaders say they want to but don’t have any funds. You don’t have to be the boss or spend a lot of money to illustrate your commitment to beginning this important work. There are many free or low cost resources out there.