The Three Stages of a Nonprofit Board

A Simple Framework to Help Your Board Grow
from Functional to Fearless

Most boards mean well.
They care deeply about the mission, show up for meetings, and approve what needs approving.
But too often, they’re stuck — not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know what’s next.

That’s where The Three Stages of a Nonprofit Board comes in.

This short, practical guide helps you identify where your board really is today — and what it will take to move forward.

It’s not about judgment.
It’s about clarity.

Inside the Guide

• A simple framework for understanding your board’s current stage of growth.

• Key behaviors and mindset shifts that separate a “working” board from a “leading” one.

• Reflection questions to use in your next board meeting or retreat.

• Three next-step options to keep your organization moving forward — no matter where you start.

Why It Matters

Boards don’t transform through training alone — they evolve through honest conversation.
When you can name where you are, you can lead where you’re going.

This framework has helped hundreds of nonprofit leaders and boards reconnect to their role, reset expectations, and reignite engagement.

Download The Three Stages of a Nonprofit Board
A short, practical guide to help your board move from functional to fearless.

You’ll get immediate access to the e-book and a few grounded, no-fluff insights from Tom Brush, author of The Renegade Nonprofit, tools and reflections that help you and your board lead differently.

No spam. No endless sequences. Just real conversations about what’s working (and what isn’t) in today’s nonprofit world.

About the Author

Tom Brush has spent over 30 years helping nonprofit leaders and boards build clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Through his Renegade frameworks, he helps organizations stop chasing what doesn’t fit and start carving what’s real.

Ready for a deeper conversation with your board?

[Schedule a Renegade Board Discovery Call →]