Toxic nonprofit board environments don’t erupt overnight. They build over time through unclear roles, unchecked egos, unaddressed conflicts, and a lack of accountability or operating plans. While many nonprofits are deeply focused on delivering their mission, far too few recognize how essential a high-functioning board is to achieving that mission. And the cost of ignoring dysfunction? It’s steeper than many volunteers realize.

Without regular evaluation, boards risk drifting into complacency, misalignment, or dysfunction. Warning signs include meetings dominated by operations, unclear expectations of board members, uneven participation, or decisions being made without sufficient rigor or foresight. These issues may seem small until a crisis forces them into view—and by then, it’s often too late for proactive course correction.