Nonprofit boards play an important part in the governance of nonprofits. They are responsible for oversight and strategic planning, accountability and financial stewardship. The Board is also accountable for ensuring that the institution is honest and transparent with donors and the community. This isn’t an easy task. There are many challenges that the Board faces that require an extensive commitment of time and resources from all members of the board. This is why it’s vital to have the appropriate people on your Board.

A strong Board is made up of diverse individuals with a variety of skills experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives that are in line with the organization’s mission. This gives the Board with a broad base of experience and knowledge to make informed decisions and help guide the organization in the right direction. The Board should periodically evaluate its own performance and effectiveness, and provide regular training.

The Board should be detail-oriented, and have a clear understanding of the big picture. This means reviewing how the financial activity is linked to the budget’s actual spending, looking at how much programs nonprofit boards role and services cost, and whether or not these costs are appropriate, and creating appropriate internal controls to guard against theft, loss or confusion.

In addition to these particular obligations In addition to these specific responsibilities, the Board must be committed to serving as advocates and ambassadors for the organization. They must assist the Executive Director in creating and manage the public image for the organization. They should be available to the media and the community, and ready to advocate for the organization if needed.