Executive Education
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    ... Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Governing for Nonprofit Excellence Right arrow Overview

    Governing for Nonprofit Excellence: Critical Issues for Board Leadership

    Governing for Nonprofit Excellence: Critical Issues for Board Leadership
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    Any organization can learn from nonprofit approaches.
    Learn More
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    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    Any organization can learn from nonprofit approaches.
    Learn More
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

    Summary

    To fulfill their mission, nonprofit organizations depend on their board for strong, innovative leadership. Governing for Nonprofit Excellence prepares you to excel in your role as a board member and to contribute at a higher level. As you gain insight into four essential competencies of nonprofit governance—board leadership, strategic stewardship, performance measurement, and financial oversight—you will learn how to drive the strategic and organizational transformation that enables your nonprofit organization to thrive.

    This program is offered in cooperation with the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative.

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    Summary

    To fulfill their mission, nonprofit organizations depend on their board for strong, innovative leadership. Governing for Nonprofit Excellence prepares you to excel in your role as a board member and to contribute at a higher level. As you gain insight into four essential competencies of nonprofit governance—board leadership, strategic stewardship, performance measurement, and financial oversight—you will learn how to drive the strategic and organizational transformation that enables your nonprofit organization to thrive.

    This program is offered in cooperation with the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative.

    Key Benefits
    This nonprofit governance program delves into the critical issues facing nonprofit board leaders. You will examine the latest governance frameworks, performance and measurement systems, oversight models for ensuring accountability and compliance, and the dynamics between boards and CEOs. With a deeper understanding of board roles and responsibilities, you will emerge a stronger leader and a more strategic steward for your organization.

    DetailsCollapse All

    Solidify your organization's leadershipSolidify your organization's leadership
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    • Create value-adding board leadership processes
    • Clarify your organization's mission and who will lead it
    • Foster productive board and CEO relationships
    Execute your organization's mission more effectivelyExecute your organization's mission more effectively
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    • Assess your organization's objectives and plan for the future
    • Structure and manage important alliances
    • Establish systems for gauging organizational performance
    • Place your organization on a solid and sustainable financial foundation
    Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
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    • Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

    Key Benefits Dropdown up

    Key Benefits Dropdown up

    This nonprofit governance program delves into the critical issues facing nonprofit board leaders. You will examine the latest governance frameworks, performance and measurement systems, oversight models for ensuring accountability and compliance, and the dynamics between boards and CEOs. With a deeper understanding of board roles and responsibilities, you will emerge a stronger leader and a more strategic steward for your organization.
    Details

    Solidify your organization's leadership

    • Create value-adding board leadership processes
    • Clarify your organization's mission and who will lead it
    • Foster productive board and CEO relationships

    Execute your organization's mission more effectively

    • Assess your organization's objectives and plan for the future
    • Structure and manage important alliances
    • Establish systems for gauging organizational performance
    • Place your organization on a solid and sustainable financial foundation

    Expand your personal and professional network

    • Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

    Who Should Attend

    • Chairs and other members of nonprofit boards who have significant leadership responsibilities—but are not full-time employees—for organizations with operating budgets in excess of $1 million in any nonprofit sector
    • Not appropriate for: Industry or trade associations, management support organizations, or consulting firms

    Attendance by two or three board leaders from the same organization will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact.

    Program fees are subsidized by Harvard Business School and its Social Enterprise Initiative. Limited, additional need-based scholarship funding may be available. Visit the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative website for scholarship information.

    Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Investing in Change
    Redefine what success means for your nonprofit by sharpening your decision-making skills.
    Watch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
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    Who Should Attend

    • Chairs and other members of nonprofit boards who have significant leadership responsibilities—but are not full-time employees—for organizations with operating budgets in excess of $1 million in any nonprofit sector
    • Not appropriate for: Industry or trade associations, management support organizations, or consulting firms

    Attendance by two or three board leaders from the same organization will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact.

    Program fees are subsidized by Harvard Business School and its Social Enterprise Initiative. Limited, additional need-based scholarship funding may be available. Visit the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative website for scholarship information.

    Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Investing in Change
    Redefine what success means for your nonprofit by sharpening your decision-making skills.
    Watch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video

    Learning and Living at HBS

    When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

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    Learning and Living at HBS

    When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

    Admissions Criteria and Process

    We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.
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    Answering Your Questions

    Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

    Application Submission

    We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

    Application Review

    To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

    Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

    The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

    Answering Your Questions

    Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

    Application Submission

    We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

    Application Review

    To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

    Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

    The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.
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    ApplyDownload Brochure
    ApplyDownload Brochure
    More Admissions Information
    Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    Any organization can learn from nonprofit approaches.
    Learn More
    Apply
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    What the Best Nonprofits Know About Strategy
    Any organization can learn from nonprofit approaches.
    Learn More
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
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