Nonprofit Board of Directors Self-Assessment

It is commonly said that behind every strong nonprofit organization, you will find a strong board of directors. Why? Because the strength of the organization as a whole is a reflection of how well the board operates in its governance function. 

Ideally, your board is composed of diverse skills, talents, and perspectives. The goal is to get every board member involved, engaged, and energized so they partner together and leverage their skills to advance your organization’s mission and vision. This type of collaboration is a best practice for your nonprofit to operate at its highest and best level.

Tweed-Weber-Danks offers an easy to access, online Nonprofit Board of Directors Self-Assessment. Board members will be asked to rate their levels of agreement with specific statements in the following eight categories:
  • Knowledge of the Organization’s Mission/Role/Purpose
  • Involvement in Organizational Planning
  • Approve and Monitor the organization’s work activities
  • Ensure Adequate Resources
  • Provide Effective Fiscal Oversight
  • Enhance the Organization's Marketing and Public Image
  • Select and Orient New Board Members
  • Operate the board efficiently

It is essential to get answers from each board member relative to the following questions (just to name a few):
  • Do they support the organization’s current mission/purpose?
  • Do they believe the organization’s work activities are aligned with its mission/purpose?
  • Does the board believe there is a strategic vision of how the organization should be evolving over the next three to five years?
  • Does the board have a common understanding of the organization’s planning objectives?
  • Does the board regularly discuss how the organization should meet new opportunities and challenges?
  • Do board members understand what information they need to make informed, responsible decisions?
  • Do board members have a complete understanding of the organization’s current work activities?
  • Do board members understand the key measures that are used for tracking progress toward the organization’s goals?
  • Is the board involved with developing strategies for generating resources?
  • Are appropriate financial controls in place to ensure the organization’s stable operations?
  • Does the board ensure that the budget reflects the priorities established in the annual plan?
  • Is there an effective process in place to nominate and select new board members?
  • Does the board’s composition reflect the diversity of background, expertise, and other resources needed by the organization?
  • Is the size of the board appropriate for effective governance?
  • Do board members feel actively engaged in the work of the board?

Having engaged board members is crucial to how well your nonprofit organization performs and achieves its mission. The collective voice of the board should be heard as a regular part of board management/development and the way the board functions.

Completing the assessment online will take about 15 minutes. Once completed, board members simply submit their assessments and the data goes directly to Tweed-Weber-Danks, Inc. for analysis. A user-friendly summary report will then be prepared and submitted to the organization (e.g. board chair, governance committee chair, CEO/executive director – whoever is leading the effort).

If you would like to read through our official proposal, you may download a copy*. To inquire about implementing the Tweed-Weber-Danks Nonprofit Board of Directors Self-Assessment with your board members, please email us or call us at 1-800-999-6615. We're happy to help.

*If a preview does not appear on your screen, click "File," then "Download." You will need Adobe PDF.
"A board evaluation measures a board’s ability to effectively govern and to work together to fulfill the organization’s mission and vision. Identification of strengths and weaknesses gives the board chair and the executive director the needed knowledge to improve and amend practices and strategies, engage the entire board, and create a healthy and energized board."
-Board Chair of a Nonprofit