Reimagining Governance is a collaborative initiative between ONN and Ignite NPS. Our goal is to provoke a shift in how we talk about and do governance in nonprofit organizations so they’re better positioned for our futures.

A virtual hub for nonprofits to explore innovative approaches to their governance

Welcome to the Reimagining Governance Lab

Changing how we think about governance creates changes in how we do it, which ultimately helps nonprofits serve their communities better. Explore resources, prompts, and practices that can help your organization discover different governance approaches. What could be possible if nonprofits designed their governance to truly work for them? Let’s find out together.

Take a tour of the Lab!

Why reimagine governance?

Nonprofits are working in increasingly complex environments, trying to meet demands for better governance, equity, new kinds of leadership, and more agile ways of working. Nonprofit governance must change to remain relevant. There’s a lot more space and opportunity to innovate than you may think!

We need to ask braver, bolder questions about how governance is done, and challenge long-held assumptions that might be holding us in place.

Explore your governance innovation

Explore a variety of resources, prompts, and practices to unlock new ways you can do your governance work, and get grounded in some governance foundations while you’re at it!

Innovation in governance can look like anything from a small shift that makes a big difference, to a full shake-up in how things are done.

Stories and inspiration

Seeking examples of what governance innovation can look like in practice? Check out some of the stories we’ve compiled so far, and share your own so we can grow the story bank and fuel the movement to reimagine governance.

How ready is your organization for innovation?

Is your organization ready for governance innovation and change work? This quick pulse-check provides an opportunity to reflect on your readiness for reimagining.

Find your own pathway to innovation

You’ll find a range of options that meet your unique needs – from accessible resources, to foundational work, to deeper practices.

I was really taken by the Reimagining Governance concept that you don’t have to be on the board to be involved with governance. It’s not just about building the perfect board, because it’s an illusion to have the perfect board. But you can have better stakeholder voices in your governance.

Bill Sinclair (he/him) – CEO, The Neighbourhood Group Community Services

There’s really a lot to unpack here in terms of liberation and equity, representation, access, and opportunity — and at the center, those most impacted by the work of the organization should have real power to flex within governance

Beth Jordan (she/her) – Co-CEO, There Management Consulting Inc.

Before we went through this, I had a too narrow, legalistic definition of governance and didn’t think about all the other things we do in governance in a broader sense, and how we include different people along that continuum of governance.

Leona Pinsky (she/her) – Board chair, Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Let’s practice together

Reimagining Governance is convening communities of practice for nonprofit leaders, board members, funders, and consultants/capacity-builders to share ideas and approaches. Real change won’t happen if we’re working in silos. Sign up for Reimagining Governance updates to know when they happen.

Let’s grow the movement together

Reimagining Governance is more than a project – it’s a movement! There is a growing desire to do governance differently. Are you trying new approaches? Be a part of the tide of change and get in touch to share your stories with us.

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