FAQs

What is Governance Matters?
Governance Matters is a nonprofit organization that educates, convenes and advocates for good governance within New York Citys nonprofits. It does this by welcoming the entire nonprofit sector (members and non-members alike) to engage in a dynamic collaboration where people are encouraged to share information and expertise, learn from each other, and develop partnerships. Governance Matters gives nonprofit leaders the tools and resources to be more effective and develop critical management skills. By connecting influential people in nonprofit governance with the everyday NYC nonprofit, Governance Matters helps to create better, stronger boardsand better services for New Yorks communities.

For more information about VCG Governance Matters see the attached Annual Report and 990.

How did it get started?
Governance Matters, formerly the Alliance for Nonprofit Governance (ANG), was founded in 1999 by people serving New York Citys nonprofits. Frustrated with the failure of boards to fulfill mission-critical objectives, they decided to create a unique organizationone that improves board governance by fostering an open exchange of ideas and information among a broad cross-section of the nonprofit community.

Why is governance so important?
While many boards are adept at fundraising and developing programs, effective governance requires much more. Crafting and implementing organizational strategy, cultivating new board leaders and ensuring a solid financial plan are critically important. Yet these skills are often not well understood or executed. For nonprofits, the results of poor governance can be devastating. An organization can wind up with a damaged reputation, mismanaged, or broke. When that happens, the people with the greatest needthe recipients of servicescan be those who suffer most. When organizations understand and practice good governance, more people receive needed housing, counseling and job training. More children play in safe neighborhood parks and more families visit a museum or attend a concert for the first time. When nonprofit leaders are given the tools and expertise to be more effective, New York becomes a better, more compassionate and vital city.

Why do nonprofit leaders need Governance Matters?
Over 300,000 New Yorkers serve as members of boards of directors or trustees, managing billions of dollars to provide housing, education, health and human services, and cultural experiences to the people of the City. No matter how successful people are in their full-time positions, few come to the nonprofit boardroom with all the skills and knowledge needed to meet the complex challenges of the groups they serve. Through its educational programs and opportunities to share expertise and information, Governance Matters raises the performance level of nonprofit leadersand helps to create and maintain strong board governance for New Yorks nonprofit community.

Why is it important for funders to become involved with Governance Matters?
More than 2.2 million people are served each day by the Citys 29,000 nonprofits. How well these organizations perform, how much they achieve, and whether they are sustainable for the long term can be attributed in large part, to the effectiveness of their board members. Funders can promote the principles of effective governance to grantees. Ensuring that funders resources are leveraged to best effectand not mismanaged--starts with influencing and educating grantees on effective leadership and strong governance. Governance Matters helps nonprofit leaders advance their skill development to make more efficient, more responsible use of nonprofit resources. Funders can also encourage other foundations and corporate funders to pay attention to how nonprofits are governed, and raise the standards of the nonprofits they influence.

Who makes up the membership?
Governance Matters welcomes the entire New York nonprofit community board members and trustees, executive directors, foundation and nonprofit staff, regulators, academia, consultants and service professionals who work with nonprofits. Membership is open to any individual or organization that supports the work of Governance Matters; is in a position to influence those who govern a nonprofit; or addresses issues of nonprofit governance in its mission, although many of our programs are open to the general public.

How can I or my organization become a Governance Matters member?
Pay online here or send us a check, along with a completed application for our records either by fax to 212-447-0925 or mail with check.

Membership Categories
Leadership Council: $2,500
Patron: $500
Organizational Membership: Revenue less than $ 1 million: $200
Organizational Membership: Revenue more than $ 1 million: $250
Umbrella Organizations: $250 annually
Affiliate of Umbrella Organizations: $100 (first year only) - please sign-up through your umbrella organization
Individual Membership: $150 annually
Student Membership: $25.00 annually with valid Student ID
Start-up Nonprofit: FREE for the first year after receiving 501 (c) (3)

Please contact us at admin@governancematters.org for more information.