Advancing High-Performing Board Service: From Good to Excellent

Strong boards are essential to strong nonprofit organizations—and investing in board development is an investment in the communities we serve.

Recently, board members from the Advocacy Network on Disabilities participated in a pilot leadership training titled Advancing High-Performing Board Service: From Good to Excellent, a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen nonprofit performance across Miami-Dade County. The training was developed through a partnership between The Miami Foundation and Philanthropy Miami, bringing together nonprofit leaders committed to governance excellence and community impact.

What the Training Covered

The session focused on the core responsibilities of effective nonprofit board service and how board members can meaningfully support both organizational leadership and mission delivery. Key areas of focus included:

• Financial responsibility and oversight to ensure long-term sustainability

• Supervising and supporting the CEO, balancing accountability with partnership

• Serving as ambassadors for the organization within the broader community

• Understanding how strong governance directly impacts the quality and reach of services provided

By moving beyond basic governance expectations, the training emphasized what it truly means for boards to shift from being good to excellent.

Impact on Our Organization

Two of the Advocacy Network on Disabilities’ newest board members participated in the training and shared that the experience was both highly beneficial and informative. They reported gaining a clearer understanding of their roles, increased confidence in their responsibilities, and practical tools they can immediately apply as board members.

Most importantly, the training reinforced how intentional, well-informed board service strengthens the entire organization—supporting leadership, staff, and ultimately the individuals and families we serve.

Strengthening Our Mission

As an organization committed to working for a world where everyone belongs, we recognize that strong governance is not just an internal priority—it is a community responsibility. Opportunities like this training help ensure that our board is equipped to lead with integrity, accountability, and vision.

We are grateful to The Miami Foundation and Philanthropy Miami for piloting this important initiative and for their continued investment in building stronger, more effective nonprofit organizations throughout our community.