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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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
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
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
Any organization can learn from nonprofit approaches.
