BoardSource

By Matthew Holley

Graduate Student, Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University

Definition

BoardSource (formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards) is a nonprofit organization which considers itself the premier resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide. Through its highly acclaimed programs and services, BoardSource enables organizations to fulfill their missions by helping build strong and effective nonprofit boards (BoardSource 2002).

Historic Roots

In an early 1980s study, approximately thirty percent of those organizations surveyed asserted they believed they were doing a good job of board education and training. Other organizations surveyed reported little to no activity in improving governance. The survey was conducted by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) and INDEPENDENT SECTOR, a major research and advocacy organization focused on the nonprofit sector. As a result, the two organizations formed the National Center for Nonprofit Boards (NCNB) in 1988. From its inception, the organization's mission has been to increase the effectiveness of nonprofit boards.

The creation of the National Center for Nonprofit Boards (NCNB) was made possible through a generous seed grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and five other prominent donors. The NCNB commenced operations in 1988 with a staff of three and an operating budget of $385,000.

On January 1, 2002, the National Center for Nonprofit Boards changed its name to BoardSource to reflect the changing global needs of the organizations and its audiences. Today, BoardSource has grown to a staff of fifty, and an operating budget of $10 million. It now boasts more than 15,000 members and has served over 75,000 nonprofit leaders (BoardSource 2002).

Importance

BoardSource's purpose is to enable organizations to fulfill their missions by helping build strong effective nonprofit boards. It does so by providing:

• Resources to nonprofit organization leaders through workshops, training, and an extensive Web site.
  
  
• Governance consultants who work directly with nonprofit leaders to design specialized solutions to meet an organization's needs.
  
  
• Tools on nonprofit governance, including more than 100 booklets, books, videos, CDs, and audiotapes.
  
  
• An annual conference that brings together approximately 800 board members and chief executives of nonprofit organizations from around the world.
  
(BoardSource 2002)

BoardSource is leading the way in the philanthropic sector as the premier consulting organization for nonprofit boards with particular emphasis on the issue of governance. In addition, it offers an extensive library of publications used to educate boards on various topics ranging from fundraising to legal responsibilities.

Ties to the Philanthropic Sector

The board of directors of a nonprofit organization (which may also be called board of trustees, regents, or governors) is legally responsible for the organization and its activities. Many nonprofits start out as board led, without any staff. When organizations begin to grow and add staff, board members must learn to assume new roles (Hughes 2001). BoardSource helps board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide meet these new challenges by providing practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development. Jameson A. Baxter, chair of the board, and Judith O'Conner, president and CEO, best describe the impact of the organization in its annual report (BoardSource 2001):

Over the past year, many BoardSource accomplishments have highlighted a key component of the work of nonprofit boards: Board members serve, not just with dedication, but also with professional integrity. The true impact of board service is felt in the many success stories of nonprofit organizations and stronger communities.

Key Related Ideas

• Board development: "a process of building effective boards and educating board members about their governance role" (BoardSource 2002).
  
  
• Board member roles and responsibilities
  
  
• Consulting
  
  
• Governance: "the process whereby elements in society wield power and authority, and influence and enact policies and decisions concerning public life, and economic and social development" (GDRC 2003).
  
  
• Leadership development

Important People Related to the Topic

Judith O'Conner serves as the president and chief executive officer of BoardSource. Prior to joining the organization, O'Conner was executive director of Very Special Arts; executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Council on Foundations; and associate executive director of the American Bar Association.

Related Nonprofit Organizations

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is a national organization providing university and college presidents, board chairs and individual trustees of both public and private institutions with resources to enhance effectiveness. AGB was one of two organizations responsible for the creation of the National Center for Nonprofit Boards in 1988.

INDEPENDENT SECTOR (IS) is a coalition of nonprofits, foundations, and corporations committed to strengthening not-for-profit initiative, philanthropy, and citizen action. IS performs research on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, publishes and disseminates information, increases public awareness, and partakes in advocacy. Along with AGB, INDEPENDENT SECTOR was responsible for the creation of the National Center for Nonprofit Boards in 1988.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to apply knowledge to solve the problems of people. Its founder, W.K. Kellogg, the cereal industry pioneer, established the Foundation in 1930. Since its beginning, the Foundation has continuously focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to solve their own problems. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was responsible for a generous grant to initiate the activities of the National Center for Nonprofit Boards.

Related Web Sites

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges Web site, at http://www.agb.org/, contains background on the organization, annotated bibliographies, access to governance materials, and information on its programs and services.

The BoardSource Web site, at http://www.boardsource.org, provides information on the organization's history, staff and board; explains its consulting and training services; contains access to its online bookstore; and provides topic papers for members.

The INDEPENDENT SECTOR Web site, at http://www.independentsector.org, gives the organization's history, mission, and current programs; provides downloadable research documents on giving and service and the nonprofit sector; and has an extensive overview of public policy that affects the third sector.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Web site, at http://www.wkkf.org, provides a history and overview of the Foundation, extensive information on its program areas, and information for those seeking grants.

Bibliography and Internet Sources

BoardSource. 2001 Annual Report. Washington DC: BoardSource, 2001.

BoardSource. About Us. [updated 3 December 2002; cited 3 December 2002]. Available from http://www.boardsource.org/default.asp?ID=4.

The Global Development Research Center (GDRC). Governance: A Working Definition. [updated 17 January 2003; cited 20 January 2003]. Available from http://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/work-def.html.

Hughes, Sandra. "The Decisionmaking Board," Foundation News & Commentary (May/June 2001): 23.