This page is dedicated to online board and governance resources relevant to the Canadian non-profit sector.
Imagine Canada is a major resource for non-profit resources, so you’ll find quite a bit of information from them on this page. This national charitable organization supports charities and non-profits in strengthening the communities they serve. Check out its research and facts on the Canadian non-profit sector, or its board governance tools, some of which we have highlighted individually below.
We also regularly upload free resources from BoardSource. It’s an American organization but many of the topics it addresses are universal in terms of being helpful for non-profits.
If you know of a resource that we should add to this page, please email our executive director and we’d be happy to add them.
Tools to assess and improve your board
Five strategies for strengthening your board during COVID-19 – Asking Matters series
The Four Principles of Purpose-Driven Board Leadership – Stanford Social Innovation Review
Innovation in Board Structure and Dynamics – BoardSource
Board Self-Evaluation Tool and Guidelines for Using Board Self-Evaluation Tool from Dalhousie University
Finding and recruiting the right board members – National Council of Non-Profits
What makes a good board member? – BoardSource
Best board meeting ever – BoardSource
Board chair and CEO executive partnership – infographic from BoardSource
Mind the Gap: Measures for Accomplishment of Your Mission (BoardSource)
Crisis communications – BoardSource
2018 National Study of Board Practices in Canada’s Non-Profit and Voluntary Sectors
Thoughtful and impactful governance
Governing a Collaborative Organization – Stanford Social Innovation Review
The Four Principles of Purpose-Driven Board Leadership – Stanford Social Innovation Review
Governance for Not-for-Profit Organizations: Questions for Directors – Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Recruiting for board diversity without disrespecting people of colour – BoardSource
Challenging assumptions and practices in board diversity – BoardSource
Beyond Political Correctness: Building a Diverse and Inclusive Board – BoardSource
Opinion from Canadian Senator Ratna Omidvar – “Canadian Non-Profits Have a Diversity Problem” (June 2020)
Has your board got cognitive diversity? (aka diversity of thought) – Charity Village
Opinion: Why we need to decolonize boards to ensure equity – Liben Gebremikael on Imagine Canada website (March 2021)
Conflict resolution
Managing Conflict: A Guide for Volunteer Boards (Governing Good)
Dealing effectively with non-profit board conflicts (Charity Village)
Moving from dissonance to harmony (BoardSource)
Common non-profit board problems (BoardSource)
Sample documents and tip sheets
Conflict and complaint resolution policy – sample
Conflict of interest policy – template
Legal-Responsibilities-of-Boards-2016
Board-Chair-President-Sample-Job-Description
Ten-Tips-For-Improving-Your-Board-Meetings-1
Six Competencies that Every CEO Should Have – Board Source
Five Practical Recruitment Strategies – Charity Village
Tools for engagement
Dealing with negative social media:
How to Handle Negative Comments
Eight Ways to Deal with Negative Social Media Comments
How to Positively Handle Negative Comments
Compliance
Reviewing your bylaws in accordance with BC Societies Act
Duties and Liabilities of Directors and Officers of Non-Profits in Canada
Imagine Canada Standards Program for Charities and Non-Profits
Succession planning
Governance Q&A on succession planning – Charity Village
Article on leadership succession planning from the magazine Corporate Board Member
Succession planning for non-profits: Managing Leadership Transition – National Council Of Non-Profits
Other resources
Charity Village Knowledge Centre – Charity Village is the top Canadian source for Canada non-profit news, non-profit jobs, non-profit funding, non- profit training and more.
Conversations with Tainted Donors: Lessons from the Sackler disaster – BoardSource
Community Foundations, a network of 191 community-based foundations across Canada: