ACTIVATE BOARD ENGAGEMENT

LIKE THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT

Live Online Workshop

Turn Board Bystanders

Into Bold Leaders

June 2 – 6, 2025 @ 2 3pm ET

In just 5 hours, you’ll develop a clear plan to activate your board to tackle tough times as a cohesive unit. Build the leadership team that this moment calls for.

Join nonprofit leadership expert Joan Garry for a 1-hour daily workshop to energize and align your board.

In just 5 hours, you’ll develop a clear plan to activate your board to tackle tough times as a cohesive unit and build the leadership team that this moment calls for.

Joan Garry - legendary nonprofit leader & founder of Nonprofit Leadership Lab

Joan Garry
Nonprofit Executive Coach &
Founder, Nonprofit Leadership Lab

A strong board is a necessity.

especially now.

Meeting of young people in group therapy supporting each other at community center.

Federal funding cuts and freezes. The attack on DEI. The looming threat that 501(c) organizations could lose tax-exempt status.

Make no mistake.

This is a 9-1-1 state-of-emergency for every nonprofit leader.

A thriving nonprofit has a strong, engaged board that stands as a critical thought partner. As  important ambassadors for the mission, they play a powerful role in inviting people to become a part of your work.

Now is the time to build a board of true partners.

Is your mission missing a strong board?

Missing in action

Extremely risk-averse

Disengaged

IMAGINE BOARD ENGAGEMENT THAT’S A PARTNERSHIP

Your board can be your greatest source of strength, insight, and support – but only when engaged strategically and treated like true partners.

IMAGINE BOARD MEETINGS WHERE:

Members ask relevant questions.

Strategic discussions happen naturally.

Your board functions as a partner (and raises funds).

The board solves problems creatively.

That’s not fantasy. It’s what happens when board members understand their actual role. And are supported to engage like true partners.

Nurture a board that builds, not breaks.

You are a superhero!

Hi there 👋
We’re the
Nonprofit Leadership Lab!

Since 2017, we’ve helped over 20,000 organizations thrive.

As the world’s best online program for board and staff leaders of smaller nonprofits who want to raise more money, build a 5-star board, attract more supporters, grow as leaders and managers, and live more balanced lives, we’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of nonprofit professionals across more than 100 different sectors.

Through our work, we’ve seen that the most successful nonprofit leaders don’t just react to challenges—they create a clear vision that aligns their team, guides their decisions, and attracts the right support.

When the board takes control of their nonprofit’s future with strong strategic direction, their organizations thrive—staff stay engaged, boards become more effective, and funders take notice.

The next four years will demand real leadership, bold, brave leadership from staff and board!

“The next four years will demand real leadership, bold, brave leadership from staff and board!”

Led by nonprofit expert Joan Garry, this workshop will teach you how to diagnose healthy board engagement, identify quick wins for immediate improvement, and create a plan to ignite board leadership for this moment and beyond.

Meet Your Host

Joan Garry

Nonprofit Leadership Coach

Founder, Nonprofit Leadership Lab

Joan Garry, nonprofit leadership coach and founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab portrait

Joan Garry is the founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab and one of the most trusted voices in nonprofit leadership. With decades of experience as a nonprofit Executive Director and coach, Joan has helped countless leaders reclaim control of their time, avoid burnout, and lead their organizations with renewed energy and focus.

Joan is known for her blend of expertise, empathy, and humor, making her workshops both insightful and relatable. She understands the unique challenges of nonprofit leaders and has a proven track record of empowering them to manage overwhelming workloads, prioritize high-impact tasks, and find balance—without sacrificing their well-being or their mission.

Every workshop I ever attended is of the highest quality and I have gained so much from each. Your presenters are knowledgeable and so very articulate – I’m impressed and inspired by their expertise and ease of discussing these issues! Thank you!

Gosia Bagley

Executive Director, Chicago Center for Music Education (ChiME)

One of the things that can’t really be adequately conveyed in a workshop description is how it feels like you are being wrapped up in a community of support. Even though we’re all virtual, I left every day feeling like I had 100+ people who were cheering me on. Also, the NLL team is stellar!
Jen Boschee-Danzer

Executive Director, NAMI Yolo County CA

I love NLL workshops. Not only do I learn a lot, I have more fun at them than game night with friends. They are always interesting, creative, and dynamic. I look forward to each month’s topic.

Lissa Clayborn

Program Coordinator, United Way of Bradford County

It’s fun to be in the same virtual room with so many other nonprofit heros! There is such an encouraging and collaborative feel to the workshop — much better live than recorded!

Joyia Yorgey

Founder, Arkansas Asset Builders

This workshop is tailor-made for you if…

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You are worried the board is not effectively aligned to navigate the current sector crisis and lead your organization into the future.

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You want to develop a plan to transform your board from missing in action (or micromanaging) to aligned and prepared.

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You aren’t sure how to diagnose the specific challenges on your board and how to overcome them.

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You are tired of the board reacting from fear-based governance, and you know your organization and community deserve a stronger, more strategic partnership.

By the end of one week, you’ll have actionable, expert guidance to build the board of your dreams. Your organization and community deserve an aligned and engaged board to overcome the toughest times the sector has seen. This workshop will arm you with clear next steps towards your custom engagement plan.

Here’s the Day-by-Day Schedule…

(all sessions are recorded but you will benefit by joining live)

A woman looks through a magnifier at the viewer to examine more closely.

How to Know If Your Board Is Properly Engaged

Assess your board’s current engagement level and identify where to focus your efforts to transform board engagement.

Monday, June 2 | 2 – 3pm ET

Diagnose Your Board’s Engagement

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Define healthy engagement.

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Uncover the root causes of mis-engagement or disengagement.

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Assess your board.

Human crowd surrounding red target object on blue background.

The First Step to a 5-Star Board

Maximize engagement by working with your most invested board members.

Tuesday, June 3 | 2 – 3pm ET

Set Your Board Members Up To Succeed

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Identify your top performers and get guidance on how to empower them to influence board engagement. 

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Learn how to build engagement through purposeful roles.

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Take inspired action to support your top performers.

A woman draws a yellow arrow facing the opposite direction of many white arrows.

The Keys to a Great Board Meeting

Redesign your board meetings to optimize engagement and impact during meetings and beyond.

Wednesday, June 4 | 2 – 3pm ET

Making Your Board Meetings Work For You

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Use proven frameworks to assess your board meetings.

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Identify the real challenges and opportunities to improve board engagement during meetings.

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Learn how to shift from passive to active meetings.  

 

A person giving a helping hand to woman in need sitting on dark street.

How to Keep Your Board Engaged Between Meetings

Keep board members engaged and ignited in between meetings to build momentum without adding unnecessary complexity.

Thursday, June 5 | 2 – 3pm ET

Igniting Between-Meeting Engagement

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Learn the two main culprits of why board members disengage between meetings.

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Discover the 3 key strategies to keep the board engaged between meetings. 

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Craft a board communication strategy to implement what you learn with confidence. 

A group of hands comes together in a circle, each holding a single puzzle piece.

Craft Your Board’s Custom Engagement Plan

Bring the week together, utilizing what you learn to create a timeline for quick wins and long term success.

Friday, June 6 | 2 – 3pm ET

Get To Work: Build Your Engagement Plan

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Craft your board’s custom engagement plan, tailored uniquely for your needs. 

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Gain insight into the common pitfalls in board engagement. 

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Walk away with a clear plan to meet the moment and fulfill your mission.

Sign Up Now

There are two ways to access the workshop.

OPTION 1

Become a Member

The workshop is FREE for Nonprofit Leadership Lab members! Membership costs $49 per month and you can save sigificantly by paying annually.

Get full access to expert guidance, strategic tools, and a supportive community of nonprofit leaders to help you stay on track long after the workshop ends.

JOIN THE LAB ($49/mo)

OPTION 2

Workshop-Only

A one-time fee of $229 includes full access to the workshop, materials, and recordings for one year.

Identify your immediate next steps to nurture your board into strong ambassadors for your organization and have a plan to accomplish it.

WORKSHOP-ONLY ($229)

Want More Than Just a Workshop?

Get the Year-Round Support Every Nonprofit Leader Needs

Founded by nonprofit executive coaching legend Joan Garry, the Nonprofit Leadership Lab is the premier online program designed specifically to support board and staff leaders of small and mid-sized nonprofits.

As a member, you’ll gain complete access to:

  Ongoing Training and Professional Development: Live and recorded trainings covering essential topics like grant writing, fundraising strategies, online marketing, strategic planning, board governance, and more.
  Time-Saving Resources: Includes downloadable templates, checklists, assessments, and more.
  The MOST Generous Community: Connect with a network of nonprofit leaders for invaluable support and networking opportunities.
  The Nonprofit Success Path: Assess exactly where your organization is on the path to thriving. Based on your assessment, we present the specific training and resources you need to take the next step.
Support On Demand: Get timely advice and answers from our team of experts and fellow members whenever you need it. Plus, we have an AI bot available 24/7 that has been trained on everything we’ve ever offered.
And More: Monitor your growth and track your achievements, access exclusive discounts and offers, implement a quick win, get book recommendations, access our job board…

Ready to take your nonprofit to the next level?

Learn more about all the benefits and join our thriving community today!

Payment methods accepted

Get in touch with us if you have any questions!

Plus, Bonuses for Joining RIGHT AWAY!

A guidepost is backlit against a sun-setting sky.

Nonprofits NOW: Scenarios To Plan For in 2025

IF YOU JOIN BY FRIDAY, MAY 23RD AT MIDNIGHT ET

EARLY BIRD: Join the workshop or Lab membership by May 23rd at midnight ET, and you’ll get this leader’s guide to scenario planning that covers the big uncertainties on the radar of nonprofit leaders now:

  • The possible loss of funding
  • The threats to 501(c) tax-exempt status
  • The long-range effects of shifting support for DEI
A cover image for the bonus resource, scenario planning.

7 Things Every Board Member Needs to Know in 2025

IF YOU JOIN BY FRIDAY, MAY 30TH AT MIDNIGHT ET

EARLY BIRD: Join the workshop or the Lab by May 30th at midnight ET, and you’ll get this thoughtful resource to turn your board members into powerful ambassadors for your mission!

Kickstart meaningful conversations with this leader’s guide for activating board excellence. Especially tailored for the challenges nonprofit leaders are facing in 2025.

A diverse team high-fives each other.

Want your entire team to participate with a significant group discount?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is designed for board and staff leaders with an existing board whose members are engaging from a place of fear and panic, micromanaging the staff, are disengaged, or creating chaos for the organization. 

What if I can’t attend the live sessions?

No problem! If you purchase the Workshop-Only option, you will have access to all the workshop recordings for at least one year after the workshop is complete. This allows you to learn at your own pace and revisit the material whenever you need.

And, if you join the Lab as a full member, the recordings will be available to you for as long as you remain a member.

What are the benefits of joining the Nonprofit Leadership Lab?

By joining the Lab, you gain access to:

 

  • Regular workshops (just like this one) on essential topics like grant writing, fundraising strategies, website development, board governance, and volunteer management.
  • A comprehensive library of masterclasses, expert seminars, and Q&A sessions.
  • The Nonprofit Success Path with downloadable templates, checklists, and resources.
  • A generous community of nonprofit leaders for networking and support.
  • On-demand support from our team of experts and fellow members.
How does the free access to the workshop work for Lab members?

Lab members can attend the workshop for free as part of their membership. Membership is currently $49 per month or $490 per year, and you can cancel anytime with no further payments. This provides ongoing access to all the resources and support the Lab offers, including unlimited access to workshop recordings.

Can I really cancel my membership at any time?

Yes, you can cancel your membership at any time without any penalty. We believe in providing value, and we want you to stay because you’re benefiting from our resources, not because you’re locked into a contract.

Monthly members pay for the Lab one month at a time and can cancel at any time. If you sign up for an annual plan, you can cancel any time during the year with no further payments (you’ll remain a member for the year you already paid for).

Once you cancel your account, you will retain access to the Lab until your current monthly or annual subscription period ends. You can, of course, rejoin during any future open registration period at whatever the current price is at that time.

Please note that all payments are non-refundable.

What if I have more questions or need support?

If you have any questions or need additional support, feel free to reach out to us at support@nonprofitleadershiplab.com. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.

We Will Be Here To Support You every step of THE WAY

This workshop is designed to equip you with the clarity, strategy, and tools to lead with confidence—even in uncertain times.

In this LIVE workshop, we will help you create an engagement plan for your board that is tailored specifically to the challenges of the nonprofit sector today. Now is the time to nurture a board of ambassadors and leaders who are acting with purpose

Your mission deserves a strong board that is well informed and engaged as critical thought partners. You cannot do this work alone. 

We invite you to say “yes” to this opportunity.

Yes to expert guidance.

Yes to a strong board that nurtures an organization that attracts funders.

Yes to leading with confidence and purpose while meeting the moment and fulfilling your mission.

We look forward to supporting you on this journey.

Click the button below to enroll now. We’ll see you inside the workshop!