Board Builders - Carol Weisman's Board Builders is a company dedicated to helping non-profits reach a higher level of success, and to help board and staff achieve greater joy in their work. Take the time to share your e-mail address to gain access to free articles.

Board Development Resources - This web site maintained by United Way of Canada has a number of free resources to assist with the topic of board governance.

Board Cafe - A free electronic newsletter for members of nonprofit boards of directors published by CompassPoint in San Francisco. Back issues and instructions for subscribing to the newsletter can be found on the web site.

BoardNet USA - A unique website revolutionizing the way nonprofit boards and new leaders find each other. 

Board Source (Formally the National Center for Nonprofit Boards) -  A nonprofit organization that exists to help nonprofit boards do their work. Some of the resources on this web site are available only to members while others are open to the public. For example, for trend data related to board members serving on nonprofit boards, see their Nonprofit Governance Index (2007) & Nonprofit Governance Index (2004)

CarverGovernance - A for-profit business advocating a specific set of concepts and principles and their application to the servant-leadership of boards and the board-management partnership.

CompassPoint nonprofit services - Formally known as the Support Center for Nonprofit Management. includes some outstanding resources including G.E.N.I.E.. G.E.N.I.E. has a section with answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) on the subject of  Board Development.

Conflict of Interest Policies/Resources:

• A description of conflict of interest and what needs to be included in a good policy.
• What is a Conflict of Interest, FAQ on the Board Source Web site
• Can conflict of interest be an obstacle to board service?, FAQ on the Board Source Web site
• How does a nonprofit safeguard against organizational conflict of interest?, FAQ on the Board Source Web site
• What Goes in a Conflict of Interest Policy?, FAQ by idea List
• My Board member says to use his/her relative as a vendor, FAQ by idea List
• The IRS provides a sample conflict of interest policy in Appendix A to the Instructions toIRS Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3)
• The National Council of Nonprofits offers a sample policy at the following web site:
• The AICPA Audit Committee Toolkit. (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 2005), provides a sample policy (scroll down)
• Drafting a Conflict of Interest Policy: A Guide to Key Provisions, from the Council on Foundations. The Council on Foundations offers various other publications on this topic. Look for “conflicts of interest” using the search function of the web site

Description of the responsibilities, duties, rights, and liabilities of the Board of Directors of a nonprofit corporation  - This document was developed by the National Economic Development & Law Center.

Director Connector - An online service that connects organizations (private and not-for-profit) with potential board candidates throughout Southern Wisconsin. You must register (free) your organization or yourself as a potential board member in order to search the database. Sponsored by Candela Solutions and Michael Best and Friedrich LLP.

Document Retention and Destruction Policy - The Sarbanes-Oxley Act makes it a crime to alter, cover up, falsify, or destroy any document with the intent of impeding or obstructing any official proceeding. This act also provides guidance as to how long various documents need to be retained. The linked Microsoft Word document is the current policy for document retention and destruction followed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association.

Free Toolkit for Boards of Directors - A large collection of helpful tools maintained by Dr. Carter McNamara at the Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits, St. Paul, MN.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nonprofit Governance - BoardSource provides valuable information on the roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board in its FAQ section.

Governance Matters -  Governance Matters, formerly the Alliance for Nonprofit Governance (ANG), educates, convenes, and advocates for good governance of New York's nonprofits. This site includes links to a number of outstanding free resources including job descriptions, conflict of interest policy, board of directors manual, etc.

Governance Tip of the Month from Peter Brinckerhoff - In August, 2004, Peter Brinckerhoff (Mission-Based Management), focused on the topic of governance.

Hurwit & Associates - This legal firm specializes in legal assistance for philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. The site includes a number of free legal articles and resources (See link to: "Nonprofit Governance, Boards & Bylaws").

Information Centre: Canadian Center for Philanthropy - Includes a useful F.A.Q. section on Board Governance.

Job descriptions for nonprofit board members? - A summary from Putnam Barber with   Suggestions for duties and responsibilities for board members and officers.

Nonprofit Good Practice Guide: Governance - a one-stop shop for widely-accepted and innovative nonprofit practices offering Preferred Practices and Pitfalls, Glossaries, Resources, Trends and Web site Profiles within ten topic areas.

Nonprofit Solutions Inc. - Provides a full range of management services, handling everything from answering your telephones, generating your monthly financial reports and planning educational conferences to conducting membership drives, producing your quarterly newsletter and archiving your historical documents. See the Board Basics Tools.

Sample agenda and minutes of the first meeting of the Board of Directors of a nonprofit corporation - This document was developed by the National Economic Development & Law Center.

Volunteer Consulting Group - Membership based information about nonprofit boards and board service.

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