Leading with Intent:
BoardSource Index of Nonprofit Board Practices
What is Leading with Intent?
Leading with Intent (LWI) is BoardSource’s signature research initiative on nonprofit board leadership since 1994. We recognize that the sector is eager for research and are pleased to share the initial findings from our 2023 survey after a thoughtful review and production process. Given all the shifts in the sector and the integration of our new Theory of Practice, we took the opportunity to reimagine how we present the data to be more dynamic and responsive to the feedback we received. Here, we are pleased to share the latest findings, even as we prepare to launch an updated survey in 2026.
Starting with our 2023 survey data, we will change how we share our findings—moving from a single comprehensive report to a dynamic series of focused, visually engaging briefs. The shift to targeted briefs is a direct response to nonprofit leaders’ need for relevant and practical insights that support board effectiveness and engagement that are more easily digested. These briefs will deliver concise, actionable content to help boards navigate complex challenges and lead with clarity and purpose.
Explore the Participant Profile and Methodology briefs now to understand who serves on the board and what nonprofit organizations are represented in the last survey. Discover dashboards and insights you can use right now, and join us in shaping the future of nonprofit board leadership.
Do you want your voice represented in the 2026 survey?
Participants
This Participant Profile brief provides an overview of who is around the boardroom table (tenure and demographics) and the types of nonprofits represented in the 2023 survey (mission areas, regional distribution, financial size, and service models).
Methodology
The Leading with Intent survey has been carefully designed, distributed, and analyzed. The research has been complemented by external data sources which strengthened the dataset. In the Methodology brief, you can find more information on our survey collection process, data sources, strengths, and gaps.
Data Book
What the Data Book Offers
The Data Book provides all the responses from the Leading with Intent survey. It includes the original tables and figures as reported by boards and executives throughout the sector. You can view distributions, percentages, and comparisons directly, without any added interpretation.
Potential uses for the data:
- Explore patterns that matter to your work
- Check assumptions about board behavior
- Understand variation across organization size, budget, subsector, or leadership role
- Build internal analyses that answer questions specific to your context
Recognition & Thanks
BoardSource’s Research Advisory Council shared valuable input on the survey questions, key analysis areas, key findings, and the development of this report. Learn more about our Research Advisory Council.
The Leading with Intent study would not be possible without the many other individuals, members, consultants, researchers, organizations, and partners that provided valuable input on both the survey instrument and key findings. There are too many to include, but we appreciate all of you for your valuable input!
Finally, BoardSource thanks the following organizations for their generous support of our leadership work: Annie E. Casey Foundation, Barr Foundation, Chicago Community Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, Northwest Area Foundation, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, and William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.