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.

Summary

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

Key Benefits

Whether your nonprofit organization is planning to make incremental improvements or is facing more significant challenges, this live online program will prepare you to lead transformational change. Focused on the critical governance issues facing nonprofit board leaders and executive team members, 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—and the connections between the board and executive team—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 relationships between the board and the executive team
Focus on results-oriented management

Execute your organization's mission more effectively 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 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

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 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.

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 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.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Youngme Moon teaching in the HBSonline studio

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

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.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

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.

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, e-books, and online case materials. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests 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

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.

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.

Program Format

The program will take place over six half-days: Thursday, Oct. 20 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time (ET), and Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET daily. Live online classes will run 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET. Participants will spend one hour with their discussion groups in the mornings before classes on Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28 from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM ET. 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 from Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 23.

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. We recommend setting aside 10–15 hours over the course of the program for self-paced work, including case prep.

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Board leadership 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 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 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 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 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

Key Topics

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.

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

Ryan W. Buell

Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

V. Kasturi Rangan

Baker Foundation Professor, Malcolm P. Mcnair Professor of Marketing, Emeritus

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

Ryan W. Buell

Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

V. Kasturi Rangan

Baker Foundation Professor, Malcolm P. Mcnair Professor of Marketing, Emeritus

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Africa

15%

Asia Pacific

17%

Europe

Latin America

Middle East

45%

North America

6%Africa

15%Asia Pacific

17%Europe

9%Latin America

8%Middle East

45%North America

Experience

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 or more40 or more

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 or more40 or more

Education

Highest level attained

Education

Highest level attained

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

Participating Companies Have Included:

Habitat for Humanity

YouthBuild USA

Child Care Aware of America

Visiting Nurse Health System

The OUT Foundation

Harmony Public Schools

The Salmonberry Trail Foundation

Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana

Your Peers Expand Your Learning: Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

6%

Africa

15%

Asia Pacific

17%

Europe

9%

Latin America

8%

Middle East

45%

North America

6%Africa

15%Asia Pacific

17%Europe

9%Latin America

8%Middle East

45%North America

Experience

Experience

Years worked

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 or more40 or more

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 or more40 or more

Education

Education

Highest level attained

Highest level attained

Education

Highest level attained

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

Participating Companies Have Included:

Habitat for Humanity

YouthBuild USA

Child Care Aware of America

Visiting Nurse Health System

The OUT Foundation

Harmony Public Schools

The Salmonberry Trail Foundation

Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana