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 discover new and better ways to do their governance.

Welcome to the Reimagining Governance Lab

Explore free tools and resources on governance, ranging from simple exercises to deeper dives. You’ll also find stories from the sector, and a powerful case for change to help you approach governance differently.

The Lab is designed to help the board and leadership team make better decisions, build the fundamentals, strengthen stakeholder engagement, address board dynamics, and advance equity work. 

Imagine the possibilities!

Take a tour of the Lab!

Take a quick video tour with Erin and Linda to get an overview of the tools, resources, and stories you'll find in the Lab!

Governance tools and resources

Unlock different ways to do governance, and get grounded in the foundations while you’re at it! These tools and resources help you on your journey, from board essentials to governance culture, engaging communities more effectively to building the foundations for success. 

There are educational resources, questions that prompt generative conversations, and step-by-step, deeper exercises, resulting in more effective governance. 

Stories from the nonprofit sector

Seeking examples of what governance innovation looks like in practice? Check out 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.

Your governance ecosystem and the case for change

Discover how to map your organization’s unique and dynamic governance ecosystem as a first step to finding new and better ways of working. 

Gain insights from sector leaders about why it’s critical to do governance differently to meet the needs of the increasingly complex environment nonprofits exist within.

A readiness checklist

This quick pulse-check will give you a sense of your board and staff leadership’s readiness for change and willingness to try new approaches to governance.

Find your own pathway

You’ll find a range of options that meet your unique needs – from educational 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.

Help grow the movement

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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