Canadian Nonprofit Academy - Nonprofit Board Performance and Impact Survey

The nonprofit sector in Canada represents a significant contribution to the country's gross national product. The purpose of this study is to find the correlation between the existence of solid governance practices and processes and the effectiveness of the sector to improve Canadian lives.

We want to understand the effect that poor or great governance has on the two central indicators that non-profits need to measure their effectiveness by, that is, the impact that they want to make in the community and their financial health. The results of the study will arm Executive Directors with the data and the information to build exceptional partnerships with their volunteer leaders.

We will make the results available to all participants free of charge. The results of the survey will be compiled into a white paper highlighting findings and implications for the future of the sector. There will be an opportunity after you complete the survey to request a copy of the completed report.

The Canadian Nonprofit Academy, founded in 2013, is a national organization devoted to strengthening capacity in the sector by improving governance practices and processes.

The survey will take less than 10 minutes and we will draw for one free essential course worth 1800.00 - first year's subscription. We very much appreciate the time dedicated to supporting this valuable and needed research. If you would like more information on the Canadian Nonprofit Academy, please visit our website https://www.canadian-nonprofitacademy.com/

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* 1. What category does your organization fall under?

Registered charity

For community benefit organization without charitable status

Professional association

Trade association

Foundation

Religious

Municipal or other government related

Other

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* 2. How many years has your organization been in existence?

Under 5 Years

6 to 14 years

15 to 24 years

25 to 49 years

over 50 years

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* 3. What best describes your annual operating budget?

Under $250,000

$250,000 to 499,999

$500,000 to 999,999

$1,000,000 to 4,999,999

$5,000,000 to 24,999,000

$over 25,000,000 annual expense budget

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* 4. How many FTE (Full Time Equivalent) staff does your organization have?

None, we are totally volunteer led

One part-time staff member who we employ

One full-time staff member who we employ

One full -time staff member with outside contract staff

We contract with an association management firm or other outside agency for our staffing needs

2 - 10 employees

11 - 24 employees

25 - 49 employees

Over 50 employees

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* 5. How many board directors do you have?

Between 3 to 6

Between 7 to 12

Between 13 to 24

Between 25 to 39

over 40

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* 6. What best describes the geographical area that your organization serves?

Local

Regional

Provincial

National

International

The following questions are designed to capture your organization's board training practices and needs.

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* 7. We have annual board training for all board members.

No, we don't have a formal board training

We have a live board training every 1 to 2 years with an outside facilitator

We provide resources and informal support and hope that new board members will pick up what they need to know along the way

We schedule board training every year but it is not mandatory

We have board training every year and it is mandatory that all board members attend.

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* 8. We have a board manual that all board members must read and understand.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 9. What are the most important skills for board members to have?

	Very important	Somewhat important	Neutral	Somewhat unimportant	Not important at all
Strategic focus	Strategic focus Very important	Strategic focus Somewhat important	Strategic focus Neutral	Strategic focus Somewhat unimportant	Strategic focus Not important at all
Looking ahead to anticipate opportunities and threats	Looking ahead to anticipate opportunities and threats Very important	Looking ahead to anticipate opportunities and threats Somewhat important	Looking ahead to anticipate opportunities and threats Neutral	Looking ahead to anticipate opportunities and threats Somewhat unimportant	Looking ahead to anticipate opportunities and threats Not important at all
Financial skills	Financial skills Very important	Financial skills Somewhat important	Financial skills Neutral	Financial skills Somewhat unimportant	Financial skills Not important at all
Ability to work in a team	Ability to work in a team Very important	Ability to work in a team Somewhat important	Ability to work in a team Neutral	Ability to work in a team Somewhat unimportant	Ability to work in a team Not important at all
Commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization	Commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization Very important	Commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization Somewhat important	Commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization Neutral	Commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization Somewhat unimportant	Commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization Not important at all
Interpersonal communication skills	Interpersonal communication skills Very important	Interpersonal communication skills Somewhat important	Interpersonal communication skills Neutral	Interpersonal communication skills Somewhat unimportant	Interpersonal communication skills Not important at all
Ability to relate to different perspectives	Ability to relate to different perspectives Very important	Ability to relate to different perspectives Somewhat important	Ability to relate to different perspectives Neutral	Ability to relate to different perspectives Somewhat unimportant	Ability to relate to different perspectives Not important at all
Knowledge of the organization, its mission and programs	Knowledge of the organization, its mission and programs Very important	Knowledge of the organization, its mission and programs Somewhat important	Knowledge of the organization, its mission and programs Neutral	Knowledge of the organization, its mission and programs Somewhat unimportant	Knowledge of the organization, its mission and programs Not important at all
Integrity and impeccable personal conduct	Integrity and impeccable personal conduct Very important	Integrity and impeccable personal conduct Somewhat important	Integrity and impeccable personal conduct Neutral	Integrity and impeccable personal conduct Somewhat unimportant	Integrity and impeccable personal conduct Not important at all
Ability to inspire others	Ability to inspire others Very important	Ability to inspire others Somewhat important	Ability to inspire others Neutral	Ability to inspire others Somewhat unimportant	Ability to inspire others Not important at all
Relationship building	Relationship building Very important	Relationship building Somewhat important	Relationship building Neutral	Relationship building Somewhat unimportant	Relationship building Not important at all
Knowledge of governance practices	Knowledge of governance practices Very important	Knowledge of governance practices Somewhat important	Knowledge of governance practices Neutral	Knowledge of governance practices Somewhat unimportant	Knowledge of governance practices Not important at all

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* 10. What area do you feel your board members need the most support to fulfill their governance role?

	very important	somewhat important	neutral	somewhat unimportant	not important at all
Understanding of big picture role of the board	Understanding of big picture role of the board very important	Understanding of big picture role of the board somewhat important	Understanding of big picture role of the board neutral	Understanding of big picture role of the board somewhat unimportant	Understanding of big picture role of the board not important at all
Specific board responsibilities	Specific board responsibilities very important	Specific board responsibilities somewhat important	Specific board responsibilities neutral	Specific board responsibilities somewhat unimportant	Specific board responsibilities not important at all
Individual board member responsibilities	Individual board member responsibilities very important	Individual board member responsibilities somewhat important	Individual board member responsibilities neutral	Individual board member responsibilities somewhat unimportant	Individual board member responsibilities not important at all
Duty of loyalty	Duty of loyalty very important	Duty of loyalty somewhat important	Duty of loyalty neutral	Duty of loyalty somewhat unimportant	Duty of loyalty not important at all
Understand the nature of conflict of interest	Understand the nature of conflict of interest very important	Understand the nature of conflict of interest somewhat important	Understand the nature of conflict of interest neutral	Understand the nature of conflict of interest somewhat unimportant	Understand the nature of conflict of interest not important at all
Duty of care	Duty of care very important	Duty of care somewhat important	Duty of care neutral	Duty of care somewhat unimportant	Duty of care not important at all
Duty of obedience	Duty of obedience very important	Duty of obedience somewhat important	Duty of obedience neutral	Duty of obedience somewhat unimportant	Duty of obedience not important at all
Fiduciary responsibility	Fiduciary responsibility very important	Fiduciary responsibility somewhat important	Fiduciary responsibility neutral	Fiduciary responsibility somewhat unimportant	Fiduciary responsibility not important at all

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* 11. What area do you feel your board members need the most support to fulfill their governance role?

	very important	somewhat important	neutral	somewhat unimportant	not important at all
Understanding of big picture role of the board	Understanding of big picture role of the board very important	Understanding of big picture role of the board somewhat important	Understanding of big picture role of the board neutral	Understanding of big picture role of the board somewhat unimportant	Understanding of big picture role of the board not important at all
Specific board responsibilities	Specific board responsibilities very important	Specific board responsibilities somewhat important	Specific board responsibilities neutral	Specific board responsibilities somewhat unimportant	Specific board responsibilities not important at all
Individual board member responsibilities	Individual board member responsibilities very important	Individual board member responsibilities somewhat important	Individual board member responsibilities neutral	Individual board member responsibilities somewhat unimportant	Individual board member responsibilities not important at all
Duty of loyalty	Duty of loyalty very important	Duty of loyalty somewhat important	Duty of loyalty neutral	Duty of loyalty somewhat unimportant	Duty of loyalty not important at all
Understand the nature of conflict of interest	Understand the nature of conflict of interest very important	Understand the nature of conflict of interest somewhat important	Understand the nature of conflict of interest neutral	Understand the nature of conflict of interest somewhat unimportant	Understand the nature of conflict of interest not important at all
Duty of care	Duty of care very important	Duty of care somewhat important	Duty of care neutral	Duty of care somewhat unimportant	Duty of care not important at all
Duty of obedience	Duty of obedience very important	Duty of obedience somewhat important	Duty of obedience neutral	Duty of obedience somewhat unimportant	Duty of obedience not important at all
Fiduciary responsibility	Fiduciary responsibility very important	Fiduciary responsibility somewhat important	Fiduciary responsibility neutral	Fiduciary responsibility somewhat unimportant	Fiduciary responsibility not important at all

These questions ask you about your organization's governance policies and practices.

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* 12. Our organization has a policy around diversity, equity and inclusivity.

Yes

I don't know

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* 13. Our organization asks potential board members to complete an application form and to be interviewed

Yes

I don't know

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* 14. Our organization recruits new board members based on a skills assessment.

Yes

I don't know

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* 15. All board members have job descriptions that clearly include what is expected and duties

Yes

I don't know

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* 16. Our nomination process for board members focuses on finding the best quality people with the right skills.

Yes

I don't know

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* 17. Diversity on our board of directors is a core value and we actively recruit members from diverse backgrounds.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 18. Our board has a set of core values and these are included in all board-related documentation and correspondence.

Yes

I don't know

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* 19. We look at the strategic direction of our organization annually?

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

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* 20. Does your organization have a policy to move a percentage of any operating surpluses into a reserve fund?

Yes

We consistently have operating deficits

I don't know

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* 21. If you are the most senior staff person, please describe your relationship with the board. There is a place to add any clarifying comments.

Very easy

Easy

Neither easy nor difficult

Difficult

Very difficult

Please put any clarifying comments here.

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* 22. If you are a board member, please describe the board's relationship with the most senior staff person. There is a place to add any clarifying comments.

Very easy

Easy

Neither easy nor difficult

Difficult

Very difficult

Please put any clarifying comments here.

In the following questions, you are being asked to evaluate the overall performance of your board and to indicate the degree to which your organization is effectively governed.

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* 23. How would you rate the performance of your board of directors in the following areas?

	Poor	Below average	Neutral	Average	Above average
Strategic thinking	Strategic thinking Poor	Strategic thinking Below average	Strategic thinking Neutral	Strategic thinking Average	Strategic thinking Above average
Being ambassadors and champions in the community	Being ambassadors and champions in the community Poor	Being ambassadors and champions in the community Below average	Being ambassadors and champions in the community Neutral	Being ambassadors and champions in the community Average	Being ambassadors and champions in the community Above average
Knowledge of the organization's Mission and Vision	Knowledge of the organization's Mission and Vision Poor	Knowledge of the organization's Mission and Vision Below average	Knowledge of the organization's Mission and Vision Neutral	Knowledge of the organization's Mission and Vision Average	Knowledge of the organization's Mission and Vision Above average
Knowledge of their role and responsibilities	Knowledge of their role and responsibilities Poor	Knowledge of their role and responsibilities Below average	Knowledge of their role and responsibilities Neutral	Knowledge of their role and responsibilities Average	Knowledge of their role and responsibilities Above average
Knowledge of organization's programs and services	Knowledge of organization's programs and services Poor	Knowledge of organization's programs and services Below average	Knowledge of organization's programs and services Neutral	Knowledge of organization's programs and services Average	Knowledge of organization's programs and services Above average
Understanding the environment and how it impacts your organization	Understanding the environment and how it impacts your organization Poor	Understanding the environment and how it impacts your organization Below average	Understanding the environment and how it impacts your organization Neutral	Understanding the environment and how it impacts your organization Average	Understanding the environment and how it impacts your organization Above average
Working well together as a team	Working well together as a team Poor	Working well together as a team Below average	Working well together as a team Neutral	Working well together as a team Average	Working well together as a team Above average
Resolving internal conflicts	Resolving internal conflicts Poor	Resolving internal conflicts Below average	Resolving internal conflicts Neutral	Resolving internal conflicts Average	Resolving internal conflicts Above average
Holding individual board members accountable for their responsibilities	Holding individual board members accountable for their responsibilities Poor	Holding individual board members accountable for their responsibilities Below average	Holding individual board members accountable for their responsibilities Neutral	Holding individual board members accountable for their responsibilities Average	Holding individual board members accountable for their responsibilities Above average
Taking responsibility for the organization's successes and failures	Taking responsibility for the organization's successes and failures Poor	Taking responsibility for the organization's successes and failures Below average	Taking responsibility for the organization's successes and failures Neutral	Taking responsibility for the organization's successes and failures Average	Taking responsibility for the organization's successes and failures Above average

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* 24. Our board members have the skills to carry out their volunteer leadership roles.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 25. We have an abundance of volunteers willing to take on board roles.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 26. If you are a volunteer, how likely are you to continue volunteering at your organization in the future?

Extremely likely

Very likely

Somewhat likely

Not so likely

Not at all likely

Comments

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* 27. Our board culture is positive in that it supports a diversity of opinion, is respectful of members and provides a rewarding volunteer experience.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 28. If your board culture is positive and supportive, what contributes to this?

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* 29. If your board culture is negative and/or toxic, please describe the factors that contribute to this atmosphere.

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* 30. Our board is highly reactive and tends to focus on immediate needs.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 31. How satisfied are you with the quality of the board's decision-making? By indicating that you are very satisfied, you believe that the board makes high-quality decisions.

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Comments

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* 32. How satisfied are you with your contribution to the organization's mission?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Comments

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* 33. Would your satisfaction level be improved if you had more support in terms of your board member responsibilities?

Very likely

Likely

Neither likely nor unlikely

Unlikely

Very unlikely

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* 34. How confident are you that your board makes the best possible decisions in the interest of the Mission and Vision for the organization?

Very highly confident

Highly confident

Neither high nor low

Low confidence

Very low confidence

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* 35. Our organization has a reserve fund of at least 6 months worth of operating expenses.

Yes

I don't know

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* 36. What is the main source of your organization's funding (consists of more than 40% of your annual revenues)?

Fundraising (individual, corporate, foundation donations, sponsorships or fundraising event revenues)

Earned income (membership fees, conference registrations, merchandise for sale)

Government Grants ( from all levels of government - federal, provincial and/or municipal)

Endowment Fund Interest Revenue

I don't know

Please add any explanation.

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* 37. Our organization is financially healthy with sizeable financial resources to weather unforeseen storms.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 38. We foresee that our organization's revenues from most sources will grow in the next several years.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 39. In your last fiscal year, what was your organization's net income as a percentage of the budget?

More than negative 10% of our annual operating expenses ( deficit)

Between negative 5 to 10% of our annual operating expenses (deficit)

Break even budget (that is within 5% of our annual operating expenses)

Between positive 5 to 10% of annual operating expenses (surplus)

More than positive 10% of annual operating expenses (surplus)

I don't know

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* 40. It is easy to find board members.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 41. Our organization is effective in achieving its mission (programs support the overall vision, money is well spent etc).

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Comments:

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* 42. Our board is forward-thinking in its focus.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 43. We have had a high level of staff turnover in recent years.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this valuable and significant piece of research. We expect the report to be available in the spring of 2022.

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* 44. If you would like to add anything about the particular governance challenges that your organization has, we would love to get any other information from you. Please include those comments below.