Governing for Nonprofit Excellence—Virtual
- Dates: TBD
- Format: Virtual Synchronous learning at designated live online session times.
- Fee: TBD
The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials.
This program includes live online classes, self-paced work, discussion groups, and virtual networking. Download brochure for detailed schedule.
"The bond was so strong, and so is my network of contacts from the program."
Summary
Nongovernmental organizations worldwide face transformative forces, both internally and externally. To fulfill their mission, they depend on their board for strong, innovative leadership. Governing for Nonprofit Excellence—Virtual prepares you to excel in your role as a board or executive team 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
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Nongovernmental organizations worldwide face transformative forces, both internally and externally. To fulfill their mission, they depend on their board for strong, innovative leadership. Governing for Nonprofit Excellence—Virtual prepares you to excel in your role as a board or executive team 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.
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Solidify your organization's leadershipSolidify your organization's leadership
- Create value-adding board leadership processes
- Clarify your organization's mission and who will lead it
- Foster productive relationships between the board and the executive team
- Focus on results-oriented management
Execute your organization's mission more effectivelyExecute your organization's mission more effectively
- Ensure your organization's strategy aligns with its mission
- Structure and manage important alliances and partnerships
- Establish systems for gauging and improving organizational performance
- Place your organization on a solid and sustainable financial foundation
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by connecting 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
Solidify your organization's leadership
- Create value-adding board leadership processes
- Clarify your organization's mission and who will lead it
- Foster productive relationships between the board and the executive team
- Focus on results-oriented management
Execute your organization's mission more effectively
- Ensure your organization's strategy aligns with its mission
- Structure and manage important alliances and partnerships
- Establish systems for gauging and improving organizational performance
- Place your organization on a solid and sustainable financial foundation
Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by connecting 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
- Members of nonprofit boards of directors for organizations with operating budgets in excess of $1 million in any nonprofit sector
- C-suite level nonprofit executives who are engaged in strategic, governance-level decision-making, and who work extensively with the board of directors, 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 more 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 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
- Members of nonprofit boards of directors for organizations with operating budgets in excess of $1 million in any nonprofit sector
- C-suite level nonprofit executives who are engaged in strategic, governance-level decision-making, and who work extensively with the board of directors, 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 more 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 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Leaders in Virtual Learning
When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions, you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.
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Leaders in Virtual Learning
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When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions, you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.
Admissions Criteria and Process
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
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, achieve financial sustainability, and lead transformational change.
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What You Will Learn
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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, achieve financial sustainability, and lead transformational change.
Program Format
The program will take place over seven half-days. Participants will spend one hour with their discussion groups in the mornings before classes and select days will also feature networking sessions or open conversations with faculty. The program sessions take place via the Zoom platform. Please note that there are no live program sessions scheduled Saturday and Sunday.
Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. Participants should expect to spend at least 10-15 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
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Program Format
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The program will take place over seven half-days. Participants will spend one hour with their discussion groups in the mornings before classes and select days will also feature networking sessions or open conversations with faculty. The program sessions take place via the Zoom platform. Please note that there are no live program sessions scheduled Saturday and Sunday.
Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. Participants should expect to spend at least 10-15 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Board leadershipBoard leadership
- Creating innovative leadership models
- Defining the organization's purpose and mission for greatest impact
- Clarifying board roles and responsibilities
- Planning for CEO succession
Strategic stewardshipStrategic stewardship
- Assessing strategic options such as downsizing, scaling up, mergers & acquisitions, new revenue streams, and reinvention
- Analyzing new types of governance frameworks
- Examining novel fundraising strategies
Performance measurementPerformance measurement
- Establishing meaningful metrics to assess organizational performance
- Understanding the role of the board in driving measurement activities
- Implementing the right performance measurement systems
Financial oversightFinancial oversight
- Comparing new and traditional models of financial oversight
- Recognizing the impact of media attention on nonprofit finances
- Implementing processes for ongoing accountability and regulatory compliance
Transformational changeTransformational change
- Knowing when to make incremental improvements or radical changes
- Understanding the forms and mechanisms of transformation
- Experimenting with new goals, methods, and approaches
Board leadership
- Creating innovative leadership models
- Defining the organization's purpose and mission for greatest impact
- Clarifying board roles and responsibilities
- Planning for CEO succession
Strategic stewardship
- Assessing strategic options such as downsizing, scaling up, mergers & acquisitions, new revenue streams, and reinvention
- Analyzing new types of governance frameworks
- Examining novel fundraising strategies
Performance measurement
- Establishing meaningful metrics to assess organizational performance
- Understanding the role of the board in driving measurement activities
- Implementing the right performance measurement systems
Financial oversight
- Comparing new and traditional models of financial oversight
- Recognizing the impact of media attention on nonprofit finances
- Implementing processes for ongoing accountability and regulatory compliance
Transformational change
- Knowing when to make incremental improvements or radical changes
- Understanding the forms and mechanisms of transformation
- Experimenting with new goals, methods, and approaches
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.
Eliot I. Snider and Family Professor of Business Administration
George F. Baker, Jr. Professor of Public Sector Management Teaching Programs
Baker Foundation Professor and Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
C. D. Spangler Professor of Business Administration
Baker Foundation Professor, Malcolm P. Mcnair Professor of Marketing
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The HBS Advantage
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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 ChairHarvard 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 ManagementFacultyBaker Foundation Professor and Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
HBS Units:Entrepreneurial ManagementGeneral ManagementC. D. Spangler Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Technology and Operations ManagementBaker Foundation Professor, Malcolm P. Mcnair Professor of Marketing
HBS Unit:Marketing
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroomGlobal PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom5%Africa16%Asia Pacific9%Europe2%Latin America5%Middle East63%North America5%Africa16%Asia Pacific9%Europe2%Latin America5%Middle East63%North AmericaExperienceExperienceYears WorkedYears WorkedExperienceYears WorkedLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or moreLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or moreEducationEducationHighest level attainedHighest level attainedEducationHighest level attainedJD/LawJD/LawPhDPhDMBAMBAMS/MAMS/MABS/BABS/BAForeign DiplomaForeign DiplomaHigh SchoolHigh SchoolJD/LawJD/LawPhDPhDMBAMBAMS/MAMS/MABS/BABS/BAForeign DiplomaForeign DiplomaHigh SchoolHigh SchoolParticipating Companies Have Included:
