Conflicts of interest are one of the most overlooked yet serious challenges nonprofits face. They are not just legal or policy issues, they show up in everyday decisions about hiring, fundraising, and partnerships. If they are ignored, conflicts of interest can erode community trust, damage relationships with funders, and even put an organization’s tax-exempt status at risk. When they are addressed openly and with transparency, they can strengthen governance, build donor confidence, and create a culture of accountability.
In this session, we’ll break down the essentials of conflicts of interest in the nonprofit sector. We’ll cover:
- What conflicts of interest are and how to spot them early
- Why they arise in boardrooms, staff teams, and community partnerships
- How to handle them in ways that protect your mission and relationships
- Consequences of ignoring them — from reputational damage to legal risks
- Best practices for creating systems that safeguard both your organization and the broader nonprofit commons
Whether you’re a nonprofit founder, board member, or organizational leader, this workshop will give you practical tools to navigate conflicts of interest with confidence, while grounding your work in equity, transparency, and accountability.
