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.

Summary

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.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Solidify your organization's leadership 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 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 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

Key Benefits

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.

Participating Companies Have Included:

Aga Khan Education Services

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Conservation International

Goodwill Industries

Health Leads

Heifer International

Make-A-Wish

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

RefugePoint

SPCA International

Wikimedia Foundation

Year Up

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Investing in Change

Redefine what success means for your nonprofit by sharpening your decision-making skills.

Watch the Video

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

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.

Participating Companies Have Included:

Aga Khan Education Services

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Conservation International

Goodwill Industries

Health Leads

Heifer International

Make-A-Wish

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

RefugePoint

SPCA International

Wikimedia Foundation

Year Up

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Investing in Change

Redefine what success means for your nonprofit by sharpening your decision-making skills.

Watch the Video

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

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.

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.

Admissions Criteria and Process

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.

What You Will Learn

This nonprofit leadership program engages you in a rich learning experience that includes dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, and group discussions. Led by HBS faculty with expertise in board leadership and nonprofit management, you will examine how effective boards maintain mission clarity, forge productive relationships with CEOs, structure and manage important alliances, drive organizational performance, and achieve financial sustainability:

What You Will Learn: This nonprofit leadership program engages you in a rich learning experience that includes dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, and group discussions. Led by HBS faculty with expertise in board leadership and nonprofit management, you will examine how effective boards maintain mission clarity, forge productive relationships with CEOs, structure and manage important alliances, drive organizational performance, and achieve financial sustainability:

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Board leadership Board leadership

Creating innovative leadership models
Focusing on defining the organization's mission for greatest impact
Clarifying board roles and responsibilities
Planning for CEO succession

Strategic stewardship Strategic stewardship

Assessment of strategic options such as downsizing, mergers, and new revenue streams
New types of governance frameworks
Novel fundraising strategies

Performance measurement Performance measurement

Establishment of meaningful metrics to assess organizational performance
Role of the board in driving measurement activities
Performance measurement systems

Financial oversight Financial oversight

New versus traditional oversight models
Impact of media attention on nonprofit finances
Processes for ongoing accountability and regulatory compliance

Key Topics

Board leadership

Creating innovative leadership models
Focusing on defining the organization's mission for greatest impact
Clarifying board roles and responsibilities
Planning for CEO succession

Strategic stewardship

Assessment of strategic options such as downsizing, mergers, and new revenue streams
New types of governance frameworks
Novel fundraising strategies

Performance measurement

Establishment of meaningful metrics to assess organizational performance
Role of the board in driving measurement activities
Performance measurement systems

Financial oversight

New versus traditional oversight models
Impact of media attention on nonprofit finances
Processes for ongoing accountability and regulatory compliance

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

Herman B. 'Dutch' Leonard

Harvard Business School:

Eliot I. Snider and Family Professor of Business Administration

Harvard Kennedy School:

George F. Baker, Jr. Professor of Public Sector Management Teaching Programs

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Lynda M. Applegate

Baker Foundation Professor and Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration, Emerita

HBS Units:

Entrepreneurial Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

Christine L. Exley

Assistant Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets

Read Full Bio

V. Kasturi Rangan

Malcolm P. McNair Professor of Marketing

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

Herman B. 'Dutch' Leonard

Harvard Business School:

Eliot I. Snider and Family Professor of Business Administration

Harvard Kennedy School:

George F. Baker, Jr. Professor of Public Sector Management Teaching Programs

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Lynda M. Applegate

Baker Foundation Professor and Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration, Emerita

HBS Units:

Entrepreneurial Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

Christine L. Exley

Assistant Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets

Read Full Bio

V. Kasturi Rangan

Malcolm P. McNair Professor of Marketing

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

Apply Download Brochure

More Admissions Information

Program content, dates, fees, 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.

Request the Brochure

Download Brochure

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

Identify the Right Program for You

Program Finder

Request the Brochure

Download Brochure

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

Identify the Right Program for You

Program Finder

Related Programs

Explore All Programs Download Program Portfolio

Explore All Programs Application PDF

Governing for Nonprofit Excellence: Critical Issues for Board Leadership

"The program gave me the tools to rethink my organization's overall purpose, strategy, performance, and integrity."

"The program gave me the tools to rethink my organization's overall purpose, strategy, performance, and integrity."

Summary

Summary

DetailsExpand AllCollapse All

Solidify your organization's leadershipSolidify your organization's leadership Dropdown down

Execute your organization's mission more effectivelyExecute your organization's mission more effectively Dropdown down

Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network Dropdown down

Solidify your organization's leadership

Execute your organization's mission more effectively

Expand your personal and professional network

Who Should Attend

Who Should Attend

Learning and Living at HBS

Learning and Living at HBS