Nonprofit Management All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 2

From the Top: Examining the Nonprofit Management Structure

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding the board's control and liability

Distinguishing between the role of founder and executive director

Creating an advisory board

If you're the nonprofit founder, you might be thinking: “I am the visionary. I started this nonprofit. I have ownership, and leverage, and I get to tell the board yes or no regarding their decisions. I recruited these members. They're not going to take over my dream of helping this community.”

However, there is no owner of a nonprofit. Instead, a governing board guides and oversees the organization, like an owner might. Understanding the governing board's role in your management structure, processes, and decision making should be a top priority for nonprofit founders, executive directors, and volunteers alike.

Founders, don’t worry — while it may seem like you’re turning over the reins to the board of directors, you still can determine your role within the nonprofit organization. You are the founder and you have the vision for moving forward.

In this chapter, we take a closer look at the top-down structure of most nonprofit organizations and explain who wields ...