Board Development Series

The City of Santa Clarita, in collaboration with Arts Consulting Group (ACG), is launching Board Development Series through the CREATIVE Connection program, providing practical, accessible sessions that strengthen nonprofit governance and leadership capacity.

Arts and cultural organizations play a unique and essential role in shaping community identity, creativity and belonging. Strong, informed and engaged board members are at the heart of that work. This Board Development Series is designed to support you in deepening your understanding of nonprofit governance while strengthening the leadership practices that help arts organizations thrive.

Over the coming months, we will explore six core areas of board leadership:

• Nonprofit culture and board roles
• Financial stewardship
• Board recruitment and development
• Volunteerism and community engagement
• Advocacy and messaging
• Funding and fundraising

Each session blends practical tools with sector-specific context, recognizing that arts organizations operate at the intersection of creativity, community and sustainability. Whether you are new to board service or a long-time arts advocate, this series aims to build confidence, clarity and connection.

To help us tailor the experience to your needs, we invite you to complete this brief intake form or scan the QR code. Please indicate your anticipated interest in attending each session in the form.

April 2026: Introduction to Nonprofit Culture (Board Roles and Responsibilities)

📆 22 April 2026 | ⏰ 4:00 – 5:00 PM PT | 60 mins | Register Here

Participants explore the unique culture of nonprofit organizations and the essential duties of board members. The session emphasizes mission alignment, fiduciary responsibility and the collaborative nature of nonprofit governance.

• Understand core board responsibilities and legal/ethical obligations.
• Recognize how nonprofit culture shapes decision-making and leadership.
• Strengthen confidence in fulfilling governance roles effectively.

May 2026: Financial Stewardship – Nonprofit Finances and Financial Management

📆 20 May 2026 | ⏰ 4:00 – 5:00 PM PT | 60 mins | Register Here

This session demystifies nonprofit financial structures, focusing on budgets, audits, revenue streams and financial oversight. Participants learn how to read financial statements and ask the right questions.

• Build foundational literacy in nonprofit financial documents and terminology.
• Understand the board’s role in financial oversight and risk management.
• Strengthen the ability to evaluate organizational financial health.

June 2026: Board Recruitment and Development

📆 17 June 2026 |⏰ 4:00 – 5:00 PM PT | 60 mins | Register Here

Participants examine strategies for building strong, diverse and engaged boards. The session covers recruitment pipelines, onboarding, succession planning and cultivating a culture of accountability.

• Learn effective approaches to identifying and recruiting board talent.
• Understand how to structure onboarding and ongoing board development.
• Explore strategies for building a high-performing, inclusive board culture.

July 2026: Planning for Action / Volunteerism

📆 15 July 2026 |⏰ 4:00 – 5:00 PM PT | 60 mins | Register Here

This session focuses on translating mission into action through volunteer engagement and program alignment. Participants explore how volunteers extend organizational capacity and deepen community connection.

• Understand the strategic role of volunteers in nonprofit operations.
• Learn best practices for volunteer recruitment, management and retention.
• Connect volunteer engagement to organizational goals and impact.

August 2026: Advocacy and Messaging

📆 19 August 2026 |⏰ 4:00 – 5:00 PM PT | 60 mins | Register Here

Participants learn how nonprofits influence public policy, shape narratives and communicate mission-driven messages. The session highlights the board’s role in advocacy and public leadership.

• Understand the legal and strategic dimensions of nonprofit advocacy.
• Strengthen skills in crafting clear, compelling mission-centered messages.
• Explore how board members can serve as effective ambassadors in the community.

September 2026: Funding and Fundraiser

📆 16 September 2026 |⏰ 4:00 – 5:00 PM PT | 60 mins | Register Here

This session introduces the fundamentals of nonprofit fundraising, including donor cultivation, stewardship and the board’s role in resource development. Emphasis is placed on relationship-building and mission storytelling.

• Understand the board’s responsibilities in fundraising and donor engagement.
• Learn key principles of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build confidence in communicating the organization’s case for support.

Please contact aeo@santa-clarita.com for any questions.