Description

Boards & Public Funding: Roles and Responsibilities

Board members play a critical role in ensuring nonprofit organizations use public funds responsibly, remain compliant with regulations, and manage risk effectively. This session helps board members understand their roles and responsibilities when it comes to public funding. This includes how governance connects to financial stewardship, compliance, and organizational oversight. You will explore the legal duties of board service, the board’s role in overseeing financial systems and internal controls, and how boards partner with staff to safeguard the organization’s mission and public trust.

• By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Describe the governance role of nonprofit board members in relation to public funding.
• Explain the legal duties of care, loyalty, and obedience.
• Identify the board’s role in ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Recognize signs of financial health, compliance concerns, and potential risk.
• Ask informed governance questions that strengthen accountability and organizational resilience.

This session is offered as an optional workshop for board members as part of the Public Funding Leadership Series.

This training is supported by the Statewide Technical Assistance and Training Grant through the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Food Assistance.