Teaching Paper: Governance Charters and Role Definitions – Building Clarity and Accountability in Non-Profit Leadership

Effective governance structures are vital to the legitimacy and sustainability of non-profit organizations. Governance charters formalize the relationship between boards and executives by defining responsibilities, decision-making boundaries, and accountability mechanisms. This Teaching Paper introduces conceptual foundations and practical tools for designing governance charters that prevent role ambiguity, strengthen fiduciary oversight, and promote collaboration. Combining academic theory with field experience, it offers actionable templates, role descriptions, and a case study that demonstrate how clarity of governance enhances accountability and mission integrity across diverse non-profit contexts.