Nonprofit Board Governance Gets Boost From $160,000 in Grants From NeighborWorks America

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - September 14, 2016) - NeighborWorks America today announced that it provided more than $160,000 in grants as part of its Excellence in Governance program to 16 nonprofits to enhance their board governance and increase their ability to deliver effective community development programs. The grants and assistance are part of the third round of the 18-month Excellence in Governance program, first launched in 2011.

"Board governance is crucial for nonprofit success," said NeighborWorks America President and CEO Paul Weech. "Excellence in Governance trains boards and executive leadership to excel in their roles so that they can help an organization fully reach its mission and serve its clients."

The Excellence in Governance program provides high-quality training to introduce new board leadership concepts, tools and practices while the framework customizes the program to each organization and allows participants to identify and work on strategies that will strengthen an organization's ability to meet its mission. Upon completion of the program, organizations receive a $10,000 grant to further their governance efforts. The goal of the program is to improve, enhance and sustain board governance practices and board effectiveness -- and this goal drives the curriculum, content and coaching. The Excellence in Governance program was developed to address whether strong board governance leads to organizational success. If so, what resources should organizations dedicate to board development and strengthening that could result in the greatest return on investment.

"Excellence in Governance created the opportunity for both Montana NeighborWorks organizations to bring out the best in individual board members and the board as a whole. From small items like renaming committees to big deals such as starting an endowment, Excellence in Governance poised us for the future," said Sheila Rice, executive director of NeighborWorks Great Falls and a 2014 Excellence in Governance graduate.

For more information, visit http://neighborworks.org/excellenceingov.

About NeighborWorks America
For more than 35 years, NeighborWorks America, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit, has created opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $27.2 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.