Gulf Coast Board Institute

The Gulf Coast Board Institute provides high-level board governance training to new and veteran nonprofit board members in the Gulf Coast region. Combining interactive educational sessions with follow-up peer discussions, the Board Institute helps ensure that our nonprofit partners have access to a deep pool of skilled and knowledgeable board members.

Topics covered over the course of the Institute include: 

• The basics of nonprofit board governance
• Becoming an ambassador for your organization
• Financial and legal oversight responsibilities
• Fundraising and resource development
• Board / Chief Executive partnership
• Creating a diverse, highly functioning, and engaged board

At Gulf Coast, we envision a region known for endowed philanthropy, a vital nonprofit community, and the ability to address emerging issues.

The Board Institute is offered several times each year to provide high-level governance training to volunteer board members. Participants for each session are selected through a competitive process with the intent of creating a group of individuals with a variety of experiences.

Regardless of prior board experience, all participants should possess a personal commitment to use what they learn through the Gulf Coast Board Institute to strengthen the governance capacity of a nonprofit organization in the Gulf Coast region.  

Each session of the Gulf Coast Board Institute welcomes up to 24 individuals, who participate in four training experiences over a four-week period. Participants receive a comprehensive overview of governance issues as well as in-depth exploration of key governance topics. All training and resources are provided at no cost to participants selected for the Board Institute.