In order to receive the Nonprofit Credential Board Governance Badge, the organization must submit the following items for review:

Please follow specific guidelines in the participant folder, as they are always going to be the most current.

Board Orientation

Board Orientation document, packet, video or checklist of items given to new board members at the commencement of their service term.

Board Handbook

Table of Contents or checklist showing documents included in Board Handbook (or similar compilation of organizational documentation) including revision or version date.

Board Assessment

Template of board assessment tool used by the organization. Include a document noting how often the tool is administered to assess board performance and how results have been used to impact board effectiveness.

Board Training

Proof of ongoing board training; for example, a board training calendar, sample of recent board training, document outlining how board trainings occur in the organization or similar proof.

Organization Bylaws and Review

Copy of organization’s bylaws, including voting procedures, number of board members, terms of office, removal from office, how bylaws are revised, and description of officers and their duties. Document describing most recent review of bylaws, including who was involved in the review and when it occurred.

Policies and Procedures and Review

Policies and Procedures manual, including code of conduct, whistleblower policy, nondiscrimination policy, document retention and destruction policy, and conflict of interest policy. Also include date of most recent review of policies and procedures and who was involved in its review.

Planning/Goals

Document that the board has established concrete long- and short-term organizational goals and methods of assessing progress towards those goals. Examples of this may include a strategic plan, a list of organizational priorities, a matrix citing goals and deliverables, a performance dashboard or similar proof. Risk Management Plan—Document outlining how the board protects the organization from fraud, abuse and/or negligence. This may include reference to separation of duties, conflict of interest policy, check-signing policies, work of Executive Committee as oversight body or similar proof.

Reporting

Example of the organization’s programs- and activities-reporting tool, such as an annual report, including its revision or version date.

Fundraising Role

Document the board’s collective and individual fundraising role and how additional responsibilities are designated to staff (as applicable).

Financial Reports Verification

Document how the board independently verifies the accuracy of the financial reports it receives and ensures its financial mandates are carried out. Examples of this may include description of work by financial oversight committee or individual(s) appointed by the board, organizational audit, or similar proof.

Filings

Provide a checklist or calendar used by board to ensure the timely review and approval of state and federal filings prior to their submission.

Minutes

Sample of board minutes showing an emphasis on policymaking rather than administrative decision making by the board.

CEO Performance and Compensation

Template organization uses to evaluate the performance of the CEO/Executive Director, (as applicable) including revision or version date. Document that outlines the process by which the compensation rate of the CEO/Executive Director is evaluated, including whether compensation is aligned with performance targets, and how often evaluation occurs.

NOTE: The documentation on the requirements requesting explanation need not be lengthy. Clear, concise statements on how the organization meets the requirement listed are sufficient. In most cases, three or four sentences should suffice.