Strong Board Governance Series

Hunt and Diane Harris Center for Nonprofit Excellence programs support the growth and development of local nonprofits.

May-October 2026
Delivered in partnership with Wastyn & Associates and Iman Consulting

All nonprofits share one common, crucial ingredient—an engaged, effective board working together effectively to fulfill a shared mission and vision.

Designed for aspiring and current board members, nonprofit leaders, and corporate leaders who want to learn proven strategies for building and strengthening effective boards.

 In this series, participants can register for any of the six 90-minute interactive, in-person sessions—or attend the full series at a discounted rate. Each session includes pre-work and one-year access to a digital learning library with on-demand learning modules, templates, and sample documents to support real-world application.

This year’s series includes additional content and expanded resources to deepen learning and spark meaningful conversations. Even if you participated last year, you’ll gain fresh perspectives through new tools, discussions, and shared experiences. Consider joining with a board member, executive leader, or colleague to learn together and strengthen alignment within your organization.

After each session, participants can schedule 1:1 coaching sessions to identify and address challenges and receive support in implementing learnings within your board goals.  The program concludes with a graduation event, and participants can be listed in a Board Connections database to help local individuals and organizations find opportunities for board service.

Participants will also be eligible for Continuing Education Credits and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Credits.

Registration Dates:

• Registration open: Monday, 11/17, 2025

• Virtual Information Session: Monday, 11/17/25, 12:00-1:00 pm QCCF staff will provide an overview of the Effective Nonprofit Management Cohort and Strong Board Governance Series. Past program participants will share testimonials, and there will be time for questions with the expert consultants who develop and deliver these programs.

• Virtual Information Session: Thursday, May 7, 3:00pm – 4:00pm QCCF staff will provide an overview of the Strong Board Governance Series. There will be time for questions with the expert consultants who develop and deliver these programs.

Session Dates – 2026

Location: Quad Cities Community Foundation

• Board Orientation and Recruitment

  • Thursday, May 14, 2:30pm – 4:00pm | Register by May 5

• Board Member Roles and Responsibilities

  • Thursday, June 11, 2:30pm – 4:00pm | Registration by June 2

• Engaging Board Members

  • Thursday, July 16, 2:30pm – 4:00pm | Registration by July 7

• Board Member Role in Development

  • Thursday, August 13, 2:30pm – 4:00pm | Registration by August 4

  • Full participation is applicable for 1.0 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

• Managing Change with Your Board

  • Thursday, September 10, 2:30pm – 4:00pm | Registration by September 1

• Effective Board Chairs

  • Thursday, October 15, 2:30pm – 4:00pm | Registration by October 6

• Graduation: Thursday, October 15, 4:00pm – 6:00pm (attendees of any sessions welcome)

Why should I participate in the Strong Board Governance Series?

• Engaging content and program design that makes the best use of your time - in-person sessions will use a combination of case studies, large and small group discussions, and short lectures on important topics.

• For nonprofit organizations, it can be very valuable for staff leadership and board chair to enroll and attend together so everyone is hearing the same message and can strategize to implement what you’ve learned.

• Receive practical tools through our digital learning library, such as sample documents, guides, assessments, and on-demand learning modules to enhance board meetings.

• After each session, engage in a 30 to 60-minute virtual coaching session to support your board goals, giving participants the opportunity to discuss an issue or question privately with one of the two lead consultants.

• Build a network of supportive peers.

Who should register for the Strong Board Governance Series?

• In our inaugural year, we had a wide range of experience levels – from long-time nonprofit executives and board members to brand-new board chairs, to individuals aspiring to serve on a board someday.

• We welcome current board members, nonprofit CEOs and Executive Directors, nonprofit development staff, corporate philanthropy partners, and individuals not currently serving on board.

Registration Cost and Scholarship Support

Join us on November 17 for our virtual information session , where we will announce registration costs and scholarship opportunities.

If you have questions about making this opportunity work for you, please contact Daisy Moran at daisymoran@QCCommunityFoundation.org.

RECENT NEWS from the Hunt and Diane Harris Center for Nonprofit Excellence

HAVE QUESTIONS?

To learn more about programs and the Hunt and Diane Harris Center for Nonprofit Excellence, contact Daisy Moran.

Daisy Moran / email

Call (563) 326-2840

Digital Resource Library: Participants who register for any mini-course session will receive one-year access to a digital library featuring 12 concise, 15-minute learning modules for easy viewing. The library also includes supplemental materials, such as templates, guides, and assessments to enhance your board meetings. We will have additional learning modules with expanded resources launching in 2026.

• Video Lesson: Effective Board Chair: This lesson explores the key roles, qualities, and selection process for the board chair, who serves as a critical link between the board and the Executive Director while setting the tone for effective governance.

• Video Lesson: Legal Requirements of a Board: This lesson focuses on the legal responsibilities of nonprofit boards, ensuring compliance, maintaining tax-exempt status, and understanding the nuances of nonprofit governance.

• Video Lesson: Peer-to-Peer Engagement and Board Retention: This lesson focuses on fostering connection and camaraderie among board members to promote engagement, satisfaction, and retention.

• Video Lesson: Board Member Recruitment and Orientation: Focuses on understanding how to think about and implement a strong board member recruitment process to have the “right” board members for your organization, mission, and plans, including a discussion of why and how to recruit board members with diverse backgrounds and experiences. It also discusses creating an orientation program to set board members up for success.

• Video Lesson: Development for Board Members: This lesson highlights the importance of engaging board members in the development process and outlines the many different ways that board members can contribute to development beyond “just asking for money,” empowering them to contribute effectively to the organization’s fundraising and strategic growth.

• Video Lesson: Running Effective Board Meetings: Focuses on what makes for a good board meeting, including the role of the board chair and the use of a flipped agenda to engage board members in more strategic discussions to enhance board engagement and move the organization forward.

• Video Lesson: Working Vs. Governing Boards: Explores the roles, benefits, and complexities of working and governing boards, along with strategies for transitioning between the two.

• Video Lesson: Governing Board Roles and Responsibilities: This lesson provides an in-depth look at the core responsibilities of a governing board, from setting strategic direction to ensuring resources and providing oversight, differentiating the roles of the board from the roles of the staff and the responsibilities that they share.

• Video Lesson: Effective Board/Staff Relations: Learn how to build trust and create productive relationships between board members and staff through effective communication, collaboration, and role clarity.

• Video Lesson: Leadership Roles in Change: Discover the leadership roles that board members and leadership staff play in guiding an organization through change, including identifying the need for change, setting expectations, fostering a learning culture, and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Video Lesson: Decision-Making and Discussions: This lesson explores how to navigate healthy conflict within a board, fostering open dialogue and creating pathways for productive decision-making and innovation.

• Video Lesson: Telling your Organization’s Story: Learn the importance of storytelling for communicating your organization’s mission and purpose and the key aspects of creating your organization’s story to shape its identity and drive stakeholder engagement.