There are no perfect boards, but, according to Leading with Intent: 2017 National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices, boards that regularly assess their performance perform better on their core responsibilities. Who doesn’t want that?

  • WHY: Board self-assessments are tools designed to surface a board’s strengths and weaknesses. They provide an opportunity for the board to learn about itself, celebrate what it does well, and address those areas in need of improvement.
  • WHEN: The optimum frequency for scheduling a board self-assessment is every two to three years. This allows the board to review and discuss its assessment results, develop a board development plan to address its challenges, implement changes, and then reassess to determine where further improvement might be required.
  • WHO: Before beginning an assessment, organizational leaders should understand the unique roles they play in the process.
  • WHAT: The topics covered in your assessment will depend upon the tool your board chooses to use. Select an assessment that best meets the needs of your board while providing a comprehensive view of its overall performance.