This may be a Scandalous Post in the Nonprofit Sector! I came home from my state's nonprofit conference yesterday energized by the work of the organizations and downhearted by the repeated complaints about weak and disengaged boards. These complaints are nothing new - as nonprofit organizations strive to address complex social issues with limited resources, the need for effective governance structures has never been more pressing. It’s time to rethink how nonprofit boards function, particularly the assumption that board members should act as fundraisers rather than focusing on oversight and compliance. Can we do this? The Current State of Nonprofit Boards Traditionally, nonprofit boards have been tasked with a mix of responsibilities: providing legal oversight, shaping strategy, and ensuring financial sustainability. In practice, this often translates into board members being expected to secure funding—a role that many are neither equipped for nor inclined to fulfill. This ...
Musings on organizational change and personal growth by Organizations by Design consultants, coaches, and guests.