Bridgestar - An Initiative of the Bridgespan Group

• Transition to the Nonprofit Sector
• Serve as a Board Member
• Work in Key Positions
• Recruit Nonprofit Leaders

Nonprofit Boards 101

Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members
One of the main responsibilities of nonprofit board members is to maintain financial accountability of their organization. Board members act as trustees of the organization’s assets and must exercise due diligence to oversee that the organization is well-managed and that its financial situation remains sound. Here is an outline, provided by BoardSource, on how nonprofit board members can fulfill their role as fiduciaries.

What Are the Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards?
Ten basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards and their individual members are outlined in this BoardSource article.

What Are the Legal Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards?
Under well-established principles of nonprofit corporation law, a board member must meet certain standards of conduct and attention in carrying out his or her responsibilities to the organization. These standards—usually described as the duty of care, the duty of loyalty, and the duty of obedience—are explained in this article from BoardSource.

What Are the Responsibilities of Individual Nonprofit Board Members?
This article from BoardSource shares a list of individual responsibilities and beneficial personal characteristics to help prospective board members explore what the role entails and better assess their interest in joining a nonprofit board.

Why Do You Need a Board?
All nonprofit organizations need a board. Although the specific responsibilities may vary due to mission focus and different phases of an organization’s existence, the basic role and purpose of all nonprofit boards remain the same. There are legal, ethical, and practical reasons to build a board when a nonprofit is created. These reasons create the foundation for good governance and are explained in-depth in this article from BoardSource.

Of Interest

Board Members and Personal Contributions
Many nonprofit boards spend considerable time defining the board’s role in securing adequate resources for the organization, and board members’ personal contributions are an essential part of the discussion. This article from BoardSource discusses why board members should give, various giving policies, and more on the topic.