7 Responsibilities of Nonprofit Board Members

by William J. Moran, J.D., M.S.Ed.

Adapted from WELCOME TO THE BOARD by Fisher Howe (New York, 1992)

Below are seven responsibilities of board membership for nonprofit organizations.

The Board of Directors is the governing body for the nonprofit.  Board members set policy; the chief executive of the nonprofit is responsible for implementing that policy.

1. Mission.  To help keep the nonprofit on mission.  The two most important questions that each trustee should continually be asking are “What is our mission?” and “Does this action serve the beneficiaries of our nonprofit?”
2. Executive Director/CEO.  To approve the selection, provide oversight and support for the Executive Director/CEO.
3. Meeting Attendance.  To take attendance seriously.   No one can make all board meetings but the expectation is to make most of them and let the Executive Director know when absence is required.
4. Committee Work.  To provide oversight for specific operations and support the staff in successfully carrying them out.  This generally entails serving on a board committee that oversees a certain aspect of operations.
5. Finance.  To ensure that financial accountability and stewardship are hallmarks of operations.  To participate in some form of fundraising.  This may include identifying prospects or “opening doors” to possible donors (help obtain appointments).
6. Provide Financial Support.  To support  the nonprofit financially in proportion to ones’ capacity to give.
7. Advocates in the Community.  To advocate for and serve as ambassadors for the nonprofit in the community and among peers.

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