Center for Nonprofit Leadership
Helping nonprofit leaders do better at doing good

Center for Nonprofit Leadership releases findings of nonprofit board research at ‘Celebration of the Sector’

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              Contact: Dena Jenson, Director
Oct. 18, 2018                                                                          (805) 493-3677 / (805) 701-0398
                                                                                                djenson@callutheran.edu

Center for Nonprofit Leadership releases findings of nonprofit board research at ‘Celebration of the Sector’

Thousand Oaks, Calif. — A recent survey of 64 Ventura County nonprofits found that local organizations outperform their national peers in board members’ understanding the mission and programs of their organization, and in working collaboratively.

Findings also show Ventura County nonprofits struggle to recruit board members who reflect the county’s diversity--a challenge experienced nationally. The survey was conducted by California Lutheran University’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership and released at its third annual Celebration of the Sector, held Oct. 17 at the Camarillo Ranch with over 200 nonprofit leaders present.

The survey is believed to be the first collection of Ventura County data on board governance and recruitment practices, including diversity, inclusion and equity. “Strong, engaged boards are critical to long-term sustainability of the nonprofit sector. These findings allow us to celebrate the strengths and best practices found in our community. The study also helps the Center develop programming that will help board members and staff improve effectiveness,” said Dena Jenson, director of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

A full summary of the survey findings can be found at www.callutheran.edu/CNL.

 “By engaging with our nonprofit community to support them in achieving their missions, we’re working together to strengthen accountability and donor confidence. Nonprofits here are evolving and measuring effectiveness for continuous improvement,” said Kate McLean, Advisory Board Chair of the Center.

“Last year the Center for Nonprofit Leadership launched the Board Leadership Institute to strengthen board governance. This year we will launch a board member boot camp to help emerging leaders not yet affiliated with a local organization understand how to be good, responsible board members. The Center for Nonprofit Leadership also offers workshops and seminars throughout the year for professional development of nonprofit staff and board members,” McLean said. More information on all programs can be found at www.callutheran.edu/CNL.

The annual Celebration of the Sector event started three years ago when the Center, founded in 1991, moved its operations to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.  The annual autumn event honors the contributions of regional nonprofit staff, volunteers, board and committee members, nonprofit consultants and philanthropists.

The Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Cal Lutheran is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of local nonprofits by promoting the highest standards of practice, Jenson said. The Center for Nonprofit Leadership is accepting applications for 2019 programs including the Board Leadership Institute, a six-month certificate program for executives and board leaders, and the Nonprofit Resiliency Institute, funded by Kaiser Permanente Southern California and the Amgen Foundation, which is designed to strengthen financial and fundraising practices in the wake of the Thomas Fire. More information can be found online at www.callutheran.edu/CNL.

As the only management training center of its kind in Ventura County, theCenter for Nonprofit Leadership at California Lutheran University provides practical and affordable professional development opportunities for nonprofit leaders. The Center for Nonprofit Leadership focuses on offering training, technical assistance, and access to research materials to help strengthen the leadership of nonprofit organizations throughout Ventura County and beyond. For more information, visit http://www.callutheran.edu/CNL or contact the Center at (805) 493-3740 or email nonprofit@callutheran.edu.

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Download the Board Research Findings.

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