Joining a Not-For-Profit Board

Enhance your career and step into a board role with a not-for-profit organisation, paving the way for a bright future.
Serving on a not-for-profit board is a rewarding experience and a fantastic way to give back to the community. Non-profit organisations address important issues and contribute to the common good. As a board member, you will advance the organisation’s mission. The role will also provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, for networking and connections with other professionals, boosting your career, whether you are looking to get your next executive role, be promoted or build a portfolio of non-executive roles.
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BENEFITS
Make a positive impact on the world and experience the reward of contributing to a cause dear to you.
The NEDonBoard proven method to board trustee and non-executive roles

Access our practical and proven method to prepare yourself for non-executive roles in not-for-profit organisations and secure an appointment with a charity to whose cause you are drawn.

A professional certification

Awarded by the Institute of Board Members and taught by high profile, experienced NEDs and subject matter experts.

Self-paced non-executive development course

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to effectively fulfil your role and responsibilities as a board member on a not-for-profit board with a flexible and online course that will easily fit your schedule.

Overview
What is the role of a non-executive board member in a not-for-profit organisation?

Non-executive board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organisation towards a sustainable future by adopting sound governance and financial management policies. They ensure that the organisation has the resources it needs to fulfil its purpose and safeguard the organisation’s assets.

What are the knowledge and skills required to be an effective board member in a not-for-profit organisation?

Being an effective board member requires a variety of skills and knowledge. Some key areas include the understanding of the responsibilities that attach to such a role, relevant laws and regulations and the ability to make sound decisions. Other important skills and knowledge include fundraising.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Course objectives:

Joining a Not-For-Profit Board by NEDonBoard aims to develop your knowledge and skills as an effective board trustee and board member.

Secure non-executive appointments with our proven strategies, delivered by non-executive directors who have been on the same journey you are embarking on and now have succession planning responsibilities.

Be appointable as a board trustee and non-executive director on the board of a not-for-profit organisation.

Define your unique value proposition and identify the charities and organisations to target, reflective of your aspirations, values, and beliefs.

Write high-impact application documents (NED CV and cover letter) that will set you apart in the shortlisting process and get you invited to interviews.

Get an edge in the interview process and be ready for your trustee and non-executive appointments with a robust understanding of the responsibilities that attach to such a role.

Accelerate your career and grow professionally and personally with new knowledge and skills.

Upskill for exciting professional opportunities, setting the foundations for you to be a strong and effective trustee, governor, non-executive director, or board member.

What’s included?
Comprehensive self-paced modules

Lectures from highly experienced and diverse non-executive directors, board trustees, school governors, board members and subject matter experts on leading governance and boardroom thinking.

Peer learning proposition

Interviews of experienced non-executive board members to understand the various board roles within the not-for-profit sector and the similarities with roles in the private sector.

Tips for impactful applications

Guidance to help you write high-impact application documents and secure the role you aspire to.

On-demand support

Online support should you have questions and need clarification on any of the modules forming part of the course.

Curated additional resources

Additional further reading list on all topics to complement your learning.

Professional certificate

Certificate of completion awarded by the Institute of Board Members.

Why take the “Joining a Not-For-Profit Board” by NEDonBoard?

Commitment to your ongoing professional development is one of the most important practical steps you can take to discharge your duty as a board trustee, school governor, non-executive director or board member serving on the board of a not-for-profit organisation.

 

Most roles in the sector are voluntary. Yet they come with responsibilities that need to be understood. “Joining a not-for-profit board” by NEDonBoard has been designed with the input of and delivered by our community of non-executive directors, board trustees, school governors, board members and leading subject matter experts with extensive experience of the not-for-profit sector.

 

This course will increase your chances of being appointed as a board member of the organisation of your choice. Many organisations look for potential board members who have received some form of training or certification as this indicates a level of commitment and expertise. By taking our course, you demonstrate that you are serious and have the necessary knowledge and skills to be effective.

 

You will be awarded a certification from the Institute of Board members upon completion.

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Testimonials
What NEDonBoard members say.
CPD logo 2024
Included in 100 most influential membership bodies 2019: a prestigious recognition of the organization's impact and influence.
Awarded best non-executive membership organization in the UK for 2020.
Recognized as the top board member in the UK for 2021.
Recognized as the best board leadership development organization in the UK for 2022.
Voted most influential UK NED organization 2023.
Non-Executive Directors Institute of the Year 2024 - UK

FAQs

Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions.

The “Joining a Not-For-Profit Board” course is aimed at: 

  • Mid-level executives looking to build new skills to advance their career, positioning them for a promotion or a bigger role in another organisation.
  • Senior business leaders looking for an entry point into non-executive directorship. 
  • Professionals looking to become board trustees. 

If you are looking to transition to a portfolio career that includes non-executive positions, we would recommend The NED Accelerator – The Complete Programme . It includes modules specific to the not-for-profit sector as well as in-depth content to brand and position yourself to grow a portfolio. 

For decision-makers, such as HR directors, chairs and board members looking to develop your talent pipeline through board roles, we encourage you to contact us at [email protected] or book a call to discuss your needs.

As the UK professional body for non-executive directors and board members and the Institute of Board Members, we have real-world experience of the ongoing professional development of non-executive directors and board members.

  1. Institute status.

  2. Professional body status. NEDonBoard is an approved professional body representing non-executive directors and board members in the UK. As such, it is a not-for-profit organisation.

  3. Accreditation from the CPD Standards Office. The NEDonBoard board director training courses are approved by the CPD Standards Office.

  4. Independent membership body. We have worked in collaboration with experienced, knowledgeable and independent NEDs, chairs, board members and boardroom experts to deliver “Joining a not-For-Profit Board” by NEDonBoard.

Your duty is to act in your organisation’s best interests, managing its resources responsibly, acting with reasonable care, diligence, and skill, ensuring that governance is robust, risks are managed, and assets are safeguarded. 

 

There are practical steps that you can take to help you discharge your duties and training is one of them.

We estimate that a minimum of 10 hours is necessary to complete “Joining a Not-For-Profit Board” by NEDonBoard.

 

The course includes online and self-paced modules and links to additional reading and further resources. The length of our videos varies between 5 to 30 minutes, totalling over 5 hours of high-quality, relevant, and actionable content. 

 

To complement and embed your learning, you will receive soft copies of insightful publications. You should allow for approximately 7 hours to complete the self-paced component of the course.               

     

Homework will be completed throughout the programme, including the definition of your value proposition, identification of the boards you should target and execution of your NED CV. We estimate that a minimum of 3 hours is required to complete the homework.

You will receive access to all course videos, expert interviews, and bonus materials for a 1-year period, giving you ample time to complete the course and review the materials a few times. You will also access our guidance on how to present your application documents to stand out in the shortlisting process. Even if non-executive roles in the not-for-profit sector are typically unremunerated, some positions are prestigious and attract a high number of applications. 

 

On-demand online support is available for questions or clarifications. 

 

The course comes with a subscription to our weekly Tuesday newsletter for you to stay-up-to-date with boardroom developments and get information about activities within the NEDonBoard community.

 

While the NEDonBoard membership is not included in the price, you may want to consider this addition to develop your network, search the jobs board for vacancies and access our events to continue your learnings beyond the course.

Our training programmes are highly suitable for multiple professionals within the same company or group.  

If you are looking to provide training programmes to three or more professionals to support their lateral professional development and grow your talent pipeline, we would be happy to organise in-house seminars or webinars and discuss more hands-on support. 

Please email us at [email protected] or book a call.

Here are the guarantees NEDonBoard offers you when you sign up to one of our training courses. 

  1. Best in-class instruction: we guarantee that the thought leaders delivering the course are experts in their field and have the necessary qualifications and experience to teach the course material effectively.

  2. Relevant curriculum: we guarantee that the curriculum is relevant, and aligned with industry standards and current trends.

  3. Flexibility: we guarantee that the course is flexible and can be tailored to meet your needs and schedules.

  4. Support: we guarantee that you will have access to support throughout the course through the training platform.

  5. Credibility: we guarantee that the course is recognised and respected in the industry and will be viewed positively by potential employers.

  6. Satisfaction guarantee: we guarantee that you will be satisfied with the course or you will receive a refund in line with our T&Cs.

  7. Guarantee of track record: we guarantee that the course is well-established.

  8. Results: we guarantee that the course will have a positive impact on your non-executive director career, and you will see an improvement in your skills and knowledge as a result of completing the course. 
PRICING
Invest in yourself to enhance your career and experience the reward of serving on the board of a not-for-profit organisation.

“Joining a not-For-Profit Board” by NEDonBoard gives you everything you need to position yourself with success for non-executive roles and make a positive impact on the world.

Start anytime, at your own pace

£750

+VAT

An exclusive 5% member discount has been applied to the course pricing