Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (NPLI) is a program of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and utilizes the Community Foundation’s professional services and staff.

BoardBound

Applications are now open!

Nonprofits play a critical role in the well-being of our community and at the helm of every nonprofit is a governing board. BoardBound is a program for new or aspiring board leaders.

BoardBound

BoardBound is a 4-session long program built to encourage individuals to become active and engaged board members for a nonprofit organization. This program is structured for prospective or aspiring board members, those who have little to no experience on a nonprofit board.

Participants will be led by an instructor through various topics that emphasizes what a nonprofit is and the main roles and responsibilities of a board member. With a cohort of 15 members or less, participants will get focused instruction and be provided a selection of articles, videos and resources about nonprofit board roles and responsibilities.

BoardBound is a collaboration between the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Nonprofit Education & Development Network. 

 

BoardBound Session Overview

Session 1 - Is Being on a Board Right for Me?

  • Understand what a nonprofit organization is, and its importance to our society.
  • Summarize the role of a nonprofit board of directors.
  • Identify what you might contribute to a board, and how you’ll benefit.
  • Identify how you can contribute to a board and how you might benefit from doing so.

Session 2 - Each Board is Different, Yet the Same!

  • Understand the legal duties of every board of directors.
  • Analyze different ways that boards can be organized and run.
  • Describe what kinds of things happen in a board meeting.
  • Understand what individual board members do.

Session 3 - Understand the Board's Three Major Areas of Responsibility

  • Discuss key trends and issues in the nonprofit sector.
  • Understand how board’s guide the strategic direction and identity of an organization.
  • Learn what it means to provide stability through financial oversight.
  • Understand the ways board members help with fundraising.
  • Explain how boards support the organization’s leaders, including the board itself.

Session 4 - Becoming an Active and Engaged Board Member

  • Understand and know what it means to be an ambassador of the board.
  • Learn from 3-5 area organizations about how to be an effective board member.
  • Understand how to apply to a board.
  • Understand the key functions of a board include the duty of care, loyalty, and obedience.
  • Understand what onboarding into a board role looks like.
  • Get connected to a nonprofit organization that aligns with your “why” through the use of BoardConnect and in-person opportunities to connect with organization panelists.

You're official Board Bound!

  • As you wrap up the 4 BoardBound sessions we hope you feel confident in your understanding of what a nonprofit organization is and how to be an effective, active, and engaged board member. Your voice, perspective, and skills are of tremendous value and will make a difference in the community!
BoardBound Registration Form
Program Overview
Participants
Cost

Program Overview

  • 4-sessions
  • Each session led by a facilitator
  • Emphasizes what a nonprofit is and the main roles and responsibilities of a board member
  • Cohort learning model with a minimum of 15 participants
  • Selection of articles, videos and resources about nonprofit board roles and responsibilities will be supplied.
  • Offered in collaboration with UW-Green Bay’s Nonprofit Education & Development Network

TIME/DATES:

  • Networking time from 8:00-8:30am
  • Session Learning Begins at 8:30-10:00 AM

Water, Coffee, Tea, and light snacks will be provided for the sessions.

2026 Session Dates:

Summer Session: Tuesdays
June 16th 8:30a-10am
June 23rd 8:30am-10am
June 30th 8:30am-10am
July 14th 8:30am-10am
Fall Session: Wednesdays
September 23rd 8:30am-10am
October 7th 8:30am-10am
October 21st 8:30am-10am
November 4th 8:30am-10am

LOCATION:

Community Conference Room at the

Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
4455 W. Lawrence St. Appleton, WI 54914

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Applications are now open!

Applications for our upcoming sessions will open in March, 2026! If you are interested in participating, we encourage you to submit our ‘program interest form’ to be notified when applications open!

Participants

Participants possess a desire to be effective social leaders who are willing to actively engage in issues impacting the community. Candidates for the BoardBound program are likely:

  • Individuals with little or no knowledge of what a nonprofit organization is.
  • Individuals with no prior board experience.
  • Individuals who aspire to serve on a nonprofit board of directors.

Cost

All participants in our service area: $250

Any participants outside of our service area: $300

Because of NPLI’s generous donors, we’re able to subsidize the full cost of this program, so participants pay only the above fees.

BoardBound Registration Form

RELATED RESOURCES

Leader Roundtables | Financial Leadership

Thank you to our major investors:

An anonymous fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region also provided grant funding.
Major investors have pledged $25,000 or more in support through financial or in-kind contributions.

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4455 W. Lawrence St
Appleton, WI 54914

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Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (NPLI) is a program of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and utilizes the Community Foundation’s professional services and staff.

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