The Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy has dedicated years of research to the topic of board leadership and engagement, and its impact on organizational performance.
A well-designed assessment tool supports director engagement and boosts board performance. This research-based tool will illuminate the strengths and weaknesses of the board across several areas, including roles and responsibilities, member engagement, board group dynamics and meeting practices. A stronger, more effective board of directors contributes to organizational performance.
The Assessment:
- Provides an easy-to-interpret evaluation report that offers actionable insights.
- Identifies strengths and weaknesses in regards to performance, practices and engagement.
- Helps you develop effective board processes that contribute to performance.
How to Participate
Select your level of service requested:
- Assessment and report only.
- Assessment and executive consultation.
- Assessment and board consultation.
- Customized engagement.
Complete the assessment – a majority of board members and the executive director complete the online assessment, which takes about 15 minutes.
Contact us – we can to discuss how we can best help your organization and create goals personalized to your needs.
What We Provide
We will create a personalized report for your organization. This report will include a summary of the concepts assessed and suggestions on how to enhance board engagement. We also offer opportunities for customized plans and professional development training led by Bush School faculty.
Benefits of completing a board assessment include:
- A stronger, more effective board of directors.
- Better understanding and engagement of board members.
- Building of trust and respect among board members.
- Strengthening of the board to progress towards existing plans, goals and objectives.
- Learning about strategies to cultivate strengths and manage weaknesses.
Learn More About Our Team
Connect with a member of our team!
Program Options
Assessment and Report
$195$99 introductory fee!
A personalized report will be sent to your organization’s executive director, CEO, or similar.
Assessment and Executive Consultation
$395$295 special price!
A personalized report will be sent to your organization’s executive director, CEO, or similar, and we will have a one-hour meeting to discuss the results of the assessment.
Assessment and Board Consultation
$695$595 introductory price!
A member of our Center team will present the findings of the assessment and discuss them with your board.
Customized Engagement
- Want something a little different? Reach out, and we can work on planning, board training, governance consultation, board diversity and recruitment. Give us a call to develop a customized plan for your organization!
Summary of Concepts Assessed
Questions address nine areas related to board performance, including financial oversight, fundraising and setting the mission and direction of the organization.
Nine questions explore the extent to which members participate in basic responsibilities of serving as board members, such as attending meetings and participating in discussions.
This section asks board members to report how confident they feel completing various tasks, such as fundraising and strategic decision-making, and how often they actively participate in those tasks.
Members are asked to respond to 12 questions covering four areas related to fostering engagement. Engagement reflects an individual’s readiness to participate and is defined as the extent to which individuals bring themselves fully (cognitively, emotionally and physically) to the task at hand.
This section addresses various board practices, including the use of committees, evaluations and agendas. These practices influence fulfillment of role responsibilities.
This section assesses the group dynamic of the board of directors and includes norms and patterns of behavior exhibited by group members. Group dynamics comprise the social and emotional context that influences participation.
Faculty & Staff
William Brown, Director of the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy
Kenny Taylor, Director of Outreach and Professional Development
Angela Seaworth, Director of Philanthropic Initiatives and Capacity Building
Nicole Collier, Research Associate
Contact Us
All programs options will include the organization receiving a detailed report at the end of their assessment, the results of the assessment and suggestions for improving overall board engagement.
For more information on our programs, contact the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at bushschool.nonprofitmanagement@tamu.edu, or call us at 979-862-3195.
