Nonprofit Boards - Find Them, Feed Them, Put Them to Work

Nothing will have such an impact on the success of your nonprofit as your board of directors. A great nonprofit board is essential to the legality of your enterprise, how much money it raises, and the quality of the leadership it hires. Finding directors that will exercise the best mix of responsible oversight and appropriate level of control means locating and recruiting people with the best skills, as well as the wisdom, honesty, and spirit of public service to guide your organization through the good times and the bad.

Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Board

• Your Board of Directors' Basic Duties
  Many states have laws governing the responsibilities of the board of directors. They often use the principles of nonprofit corporation law...
• Can a Nonprofit Compensate Its Board Members?
  Although nonprofit board service is usually a volunteer activity, reasonable fees for service...
• Does Our Nonprofit Board Need Liability Insurance?
  Most experts think that nonprofits need "Directors and Officers (D & O) liability insurance. It can be costly, but many D & O claims are filed...

How to Find Nonprofit Board Members

• Potential Board Members Are Closer Than You Think
  GuideStar asked the readers of its newsletter to suggest effective ways to find good board members. Here are some of the best suggestions...
• Five Tips That May Help Produce a Great Nonprofit Board
  First, set realistic expectations. Even those who join boards for all the right reasons still need to know what...

Characteristics of a Good Nonprofit Board

• Is Your Board Helping You or Hurting You?
  A smoothly functioning board with a broad array of skills can be a godsend; while a quarrelsome, nit-picking board...
• How Can I Boot a Problem Board Member?
  Most boards will, at some time, have to deal with a troublesome member. Here's what you might choose to do...

How to Get Your Nonprofit Board to Fundraise

• Get Your Board to Step Up to the Plate in Fundraising
  It is a common problem. Board members are reluctant to accept their responsibility to give and to solicit gifts for the nonprofit they serve...
• Take the Fear Out of Fundraising
  Coach the most timid and fearful board member through their first contacts and on to ultimate fundraising success...

Keeping Your Nonprofit Board Engaged

• Is Your Nonprofit Board Bored? Eight Ways to Keep Them Awake
  Are your nonprofit board members nodding off at your board meetings? Or maybe not even showing up? They may be afflicted with nonprofit boardroom ennui...

If You Want to Serve on a Nonprofit Board

• What to Look for Before You Serve on a Nonprofit Board
  What should you do if approached to serve on a nonprofit board? What should you look for before making a decision that will affect you in terms of money, time, and perhaps even reputation...

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Joanne Fritz, About.com Guide to Nonprofits,  has worked in the nonprofit world for most of her 30-year career beginning with teaching at the secondary, college, and university levels. She has also held senior management positions at two national nonprofits and two universities. Fritz has served on numerous nonprofit boards and was chosen to participate in leadership programs in two cities. ©2010 About.com, Inc., a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.