Articles

The end of heroic leadership and the rise of empowerment

Written in response to the theme of the 2025 Better Boards Conference, Superheroes: Doing More with Less, Deborah Johnston points out how the attributes needed to lead an organisation under …

A Governance Work Plan for Responsible AI Adoption in Not-for-Profits

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more accessible, not-for-profit organisations across Australia are experimenting with tools that can improve efficiency, strengthen community engagement, and …

Navigating Leadership in the Not-for-profit Sector - Balancing Virtue and Compliance

Working in the not-for-profit sector presents unique challenges. These organisations, dedicated to societal impact, must adhere to strict regulations, from securing grants to maintaining charity …

Are you treating impact as a by-product of what you do, or a critical input into your decision-making?

How a wellbeing approach to social impact will help you get the most out of your measurement. The pressure to demonstrate impact across all sectors is growing. Driven by consumer, staff and investor …

Common Accounting Terms for Not-for-profit Organisations

Having a good level of financial understanding can enable an organisation’s board members to make better decisions about the financial future of the organisation they serve. Understanding common …

Why Succession Planning Should Be Your Board's Superpower

Leadership transitions–whether of the CEO or chair–can have a profound impact on an organisation. Poorly managed transitions may lead to strategic drift, cultural misalignment, and loss of confidence. …

Preparing Your NFP Organisation to be 'Merger Fit' in Challenging Times

Co-authored with Felicity Iredale and Portia Pascuzzi. Mergers between not-for-profit (NFP) organisations are increasingly being considered due to current economic and regulatory challenges. This is …

From the Boardroom to the Break Room - Embedding Governance in Daily Practice

At Freshcare, we’ve come to understand that governance shouldn’t be confined to the boardroom. If we’re serious about transparency, accountability, and integrity, then governance …

Beyond the Board Skills Matrix - Leadership Capacity Planning

The value of a board skills matrix goes beyond checking off a few boxes. Diverse boards are vital to an organisation’s long-term success and ability to self-assess. Yet, many non-profit leaders …

Using AI: Has Your Board Done Its Homework

Artificial intelligence (AI) is in its infancy. Yet, its impacts are profound and evolving. Not-for-profits and charities (NFPs) have demonstrated a slow uptake of AI, reflecting a neutral or cautious …