Mission to Momentum: Nonprofit Board Governance Fundamentals

Effective nonprofit governance plays a critical role in advancing mission, ensuring accountability, and helping organizations navigate complexity and change. Mission to Momentum is a leadership-focused course designed to strengthen nonprofit board governance by clarifying roles, responsibilities, and practices that support sound decision-making, effective leadership, and strong board–executive partnership.

Designed for nonprofit board members, executives, and emerging leaders, this course offers a practical and balanced understanding of governance fundamentals. Participants will explore the core responsibilities of nonprofit boards, the distinction between governance and management, and the practices that foster productive board engagement, shared accountability, and healthier board–executive relationships. Grounded in leading governance practices and real-world nonprofit experience, the course helps participants move from good intentions to governance that better supports mission, strategy, and organizational effectiveness.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will gain an understanding of:

• The core roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, including fiduciary oversight, strategic leadership, and organizational accountability
• The distinction between governance and management, and how appropriate board behaviors support effective leadership
• Key characteristics of effective and ineffective nonprofit boards, and how board dynamics influence organizational performance
• The factors that contribute to a healthy and productive board executive relationship, including clarity of roles, shared purpose, and mutual accountability
• Practical governance practices that support board engagement, alignment, and long-term sustainability

Instructor: Josh Kilgas

Enrollment by Wednesday, August 1 helps ensure this class can be offered as planned. View our Terms and Conditions.