Organizational Structure of Non-Profits
Nonprofit groups are traditionally structured according to three functions--governance, administration, and programs. The focus of a nonprofit is on its mission and programs.
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Governance
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A board of directors is responsible for the nonprofit's mission and operations. The board states the nonprofit's mission and governs by deciding how the mission should be accomplished and by establishing the nonprofit's internal policies, such as those for human resources. The nonprofit's executive director or president reports to the board.
Board Committees
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To run the nonprofit most effectively, boards are often broken down into committees overseeing a specific aspect of governing. For example, the board may have a fundraising committee, a budget and finance committee, or a nominating committee that searches for new board members. Boards may also have ad hoc committees that are established temporarily, such as when a search must be launched for a new executive director.
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Administration
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The administration of a nonprofit is made up of the staff needed to run all of its activities. The administration sees to it that the nonprofit's common resources are used to support each program's development and operations. Administration includes the executive director or president. Other administrative staff--depending on the needs and resources of the nonprofit--may include a vice president or director of development, vice president or director of marketing, vice president or director of communications, a vice president or director of technology, and various assistant directors or staff.
Programs
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Programs are the activities and services a nonprofit provides to meet its goals and carry out its mission. For example, a nonprofit with the mission of ending homelessness might have a program that helps people find jobs, as well as a program to help end addictions.
Program Staff
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The staff that carry out a nonprofit's programs are called program staff. Program staff can include an overall vice president or director of programs and vice presidents or directors for specific programs, such as vice president or director of the program to end hunger or vice president or director of the program to fight addictions. Programs can also have associate directors and program assistants.
Members
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Although many nonprofits are run only by a board of directors, some nonprofits, such as trade associations, have members. The membership in a membership organization elects the board, has membership meetings, and can vote to change the organization's bylaws--the document the guides how the nonprofit is managed.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Eve
