Governance refers to the planning, influencing and conducting of the policy and affairs of an organization. In the not-for-profit sector specifically, governance refers to the actions of the volunteer board of directors of an organization with respect to establishing and monitoring the long-term direction of that organization.
National
- Board Development
Created by the United Way of Canada, Board Development provides step-by-step information for establishing and/or restructuring non-profit boards of directors with an emphasis on good governance. It also lists provincial, national, and U.S. resources for a - Canadian Coalition for Good Governance
Targeted at for-profit companies, the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance offers guidelines, best practices, and numerous links. - Canadian Fundraiser and Philanthropy
The Canadian Fundraiser and Philanthropy produces an online newsletter for managers working in the non-profit sector. It offers searchable back issues and also runs workshops across Canada. - Canadian Society of Association Executives
The Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) comprises members from trade, professional, occupational, philanthropic, and single or common interest organizations. The CSAE offers online discussions and resources, best practices and PD. - Charity Channel
Charity Channel provides a worldwide forum for non-profit colleagues to share knowledge, ask questions, and benefit from one another via e-mail-based discussions. The site also offers articles and teleclasses. - Charity Village
The Charity Village Web site provides information, news, jobs, services, and resources for the Canadian non-profit community. Training courses related to fundraising, grant writing, management, and leadership are offered online. - Conference Board of Canada
The Conference Board of Canada’s Web site offers an extensive section on Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility. The Conference Board of Canada provides research and analysis on emerging trends, networking opportunities, workshops and seminars, ad - Free Management Library
The Free Management Library offers a toolkit for establishing and running a board. Information specific to non-profits is indicated and there are many links to free training sites and online peer groups. - Imagine Canada's Nonprofit Library Commons
Imagine Canada offers the Nonprofit Library Commons, an online portal for non-profit organizations providing educational resources, discussion boards, best practices, and access to professional librarians. - Institute of Corporate Directors
The Institute of Corporate Directors represents Canadian directors and enhances their directorships by providing updates on governance trends, benchmarking tools, continuing education, and formal certification programs. Nine chapters provide services and - Institute on Governance
The Institute on Governance (IOG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the development of effective governance in Canada and abroad. The IOG provides many resources, including research and analysis, advisory services, professional developme - Mentoring Canada Resource Centre
The Mentoring Canada Resource Centre Web site offers two free online courses: Fundamentals of Effective Board Involvement, which trains board members on effective board practices, and The Building Blocks of Quality Mentoring Programs, which explains how t - Nonprofit Good Practice Guide
Developed by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, the Nonprofit Good Practice Guide provides a wealth of knowledge on not-for-profit organizations. Preferred practices and common pitfalls are offered, and topics cover a - Primer for Directors of Not-for-Profit Corporations
Prepared by Industry Canada, the Primer for Directors of Not-for-Profit Corporations provides directors with information about rights and obligations, liability, risk, committees, and taxation. It also serves as an outline of the director’s role for non-p - Volunteer Canada
Volunteer Canada provides information about advocacy, liability, and risk management for volunteer board members. It also offers a large number of publications and online resources related to governance and many other subjects.
Alberta
- CentrePoint
CentrePoint supports non-profit management by providing consulting services, mentoring, knowledge sharing, and training opportunities. It also offers several programs, including the Governance PLUS, a program designed to bridge the gap for board members w - Institute for Nonprofit Studies
Established by Mount Royal College, the Institute for Nonprofit Studies provides degrees, certificates, individual workshops, and a number of publications and research papers dealing with governance for non-profit organizations. - Not for Profit and Charity Law
Maintained by the Legal Resource Centre at the University of Alberta, Not-for-Profit & Charity Law provides a wide range of very accessible legal information on the not-for-profit and charity sectors, ranging from a useful glossary and overview of non - Service Alberta
Service Alberta offers information and resources specific to charities, societies, and non-profit organizations, such as registering a charity or non-profit, responsibilities and regulations, and legislation. - Volunteer Lawyers Service
The Volunteer Lawyers Service (VLS) offers free legal support to eligible charities and non-profit organizations in Calgary. VLS can provide help on labour and employment law, management responsibilities, administrative and human rights law, real estate, - Wild Rose Foundation Board Development Program
The Wild Rose Foundation, committed to supporting and promoting volunteer, charitable, and humanitarian efforts in Alberta, offers a Board Development Program to assist non-profit organizations improve the governance of their boards. The program includes
British Columbia
- Volunteer BC
Volunteer BC is a provincial association of volunteer centres, organizations, and individuals. It offers numerous resources, but most notably the A – Z Directory for Board Governance, which provides a multi-year guide for setting up and maintaining an eff
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
Maintained by the Community Sector Council of Newfoundland Labrador, this site offers useful information to non-profit organizations on research and policy and on managing voluntary associations.
Ontario
- DiverseCity onBoard
DiverseCity onBoard, offered through The Maytree Foundation, works with predominantly public agencies, boards, and commissions to address their lack of diversity. It also offers a service matching skilled minorities with organizations. Many resources rela - Nathan Garber & Associates
Nathan Garber & Associates provides governance and planning support for non-profit organizations. Working primarily in southwestern Ontario, Nathan Garber & Associates provides workshops, resources, help sheets, and articles to all not-for-profit - Synergy Associates
Based in Ottawa, Synergy Associates provides consulting services on governance and organizational development. Case studies, reports, and other publications about governance and public policy are available on this Web site. - Volunteer Lawyers Service
The Volunteer Lawyers Service (VLS) offers free legal support to eligible charities and non-profit organizations in Ontario. VLS can provide help on incorporation, board governance, contracts, trademark registration, etc., and offers educational resources
Saskatchewan
- SaskCulture Organizational Development Resource File
The Cultural Resources NetFile available from SaskCulture provides information on governance, management, human resources, and legal considerations for non-profit organizations.