Governance vs. Volunteering: Why Understanding the Distinction Matters for Your Nonprofit

When people agree to serve on a nonprofit board, many assume their main role will be “helping out” wherever needed – staffing the fundraising dinner, setting up chairs before an event, or collecting tickets at the door. Those things are valuable, but they are not governance.

Governance is the board’s first responsibility. It’s about setting direction, ensuring accountability, and protecting the mission. That means reviewing budgets, monitoring financial health, evaluating the executive director, putting policies in place and making sure they are followed, and making decisions that shape the organization’s future. These are big-picture, long-term responsibilities that cannot be delegated.

The board runs the nonprofit, and the Executive Director (ED) reports to the board. The ED is in charge of the day-to-day running of the organization and is at the top of the organizational chart.

Volunteering, on the other hand, is about hands-on support. Serving food at the annual fundraiser, helping with mailings, or joining a cleanup project are all meaningful ways board members can pitch in. But they are not substitutes for governance.

The problem comes when boards focus too much on volunteering and not enough on governance. It’s easy to confuse “being busy” with “being effective.” A board may spend hours stuffing envelopes while neglecting to review strategic priorities or ask tough financial questions. Without strong governance, a nonprofit risks drifting off-mission, running into compliance issues, or losing donor trust.

That being said, the best board members often do both. They understand that their governance role comes first but are also willing to roll up their sleeves when needed. A strong board chair or executive director can help by clarifying expectations: board meetings are for governance, and volunteering opportunities are optional but very much welcomed.

If you’re a board member, ask yourself: Am I balancing governance with volunteering? If you’re a founder or leader, make sure your board understands the difference. The long-term health of your nonprofit depends on it.

Until next time, keep leading with passion and purpose. 💌 Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you.