← Resources / Governance
How non-profit boards are structured, what they're legally required to do, and how to keep the day-to-day work aligned with the rules that govern it. Board types, responsibilities, policies, and the annual filings nobody likes but everyone needs.
Why governance matters. Governance is the layer of work that makes the rest of the organization possible. Get it right and the board makes good decisions, staff knows what's expected, donors trust where their money goes, and the IRS leaves you alone. Get it wrong and every other category of work suffers. The resources here are the documents that make good governance practical, not theoretical.
The most common question a new board member asks — "what kind of board are we?" — rarely gets a clear answer. This guide walks through the major board models (Working, Advisory, Governing, Policy, Foundation, and others), explains what legally distinguishes them, and shows the maturity-stage pattern most non-profits move through as they grow.
A role-by-role responsibilities map for the standard officer positions (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) tied to specific strategic goals. Customizable for your organization's structure.
A one-page committee charter template that defines purpose, authority, membership, meeting cadence, and reporting line to the board. Works for both standing and ad-hoc committees.
A signable annual COI disclosure form plus the policy text that defines what counts as a conflict, how it must be disclosed, and how the board handles it when one is identified.
The protection-from-retaliation policy required for IRS Form 990 compliance, written in plain English so staff and volunteers can actually understand what they're protected against and how to report concerns.
What to keep, how long to keep it, and what to safely destroy. Covers financial records, board minutes, donor information, personnel files, and legal documents.
A pre-filing checklist for the annual IRS Form 990 (or 990-EZ or 990-N), broken down by what your bookkeeper, treasurer, and board chair each need to verify before submission.
A standing checklist used in an annual bylaws review to surface gaps, outdated provisions, and committee-structure mismatches before they become problems at the next board election or major decision.
