Who Has Power in a Nonprofit? A Guide to Understanding Roles of the Board and Staff

A busy nonprofit organization needs clarity: who is responsible for what? This info guide was written to help make a distinction between the role of the board of the directors and the role of the staff. By reading this, we hope you better understand who is responsible for certain aspects, including strategy, finances, programs, and fundraising.

We also discuss the differences between an advisory board and a working board.

File Type: PDF

Best for: Executive Directors, Operations Managers, Legal/Finance Staff, and Board Chairs

Created by: Narwhal Law and Business Strategy, 2025

License: For personal or organizational use only. No resale or redistribution.

⚖️ This resource is informational and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, schedule a legal health check with Narwhal Law & Business Strategy.