Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative

Nonprofit Fiduciary Governance & DEI

A recent study by Boardsource shows there has been a lack of racial and ethnic diversity on nonprofit boards for over 30 years. Nonprofits still struggle with this issue today. In this engagement, nonprofit organizations will learn to develop board diversity protocols and standards to use moving forward in their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Your board of directors and senior management will be lead through our system of foundational and diversity guidelines based on the non-political logic of the fiduciary duties of care and loyalty of the board (listed on the next page). Nonprofits will develop protocols and principles specific to their organization that will create a board diversity system suitable for their operations.

The work will be led by Fred Jenoure, the Director of the TANGO Diversity Initiative, and Anne Ruwet. This engagement will include drafting of formal language suitable for board resolutions and by-laws to memorialize the protocols and standards developed for this purpose.

Contact Rollin Schuster at or 877-708-2646 if you would like to discuss the details of an engagement.

TANGO Nonprofit Fiduciary Governance DEI sellsheet

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Engagement Overview

The Four Foundational Guidelines

  1. A Nonprofit is a Corporation
  2. The Nature of Nonprofit Boards as an Assembly of Individuals
  3. The Fiduciary Obligations of Boards of Directors
  4. The Board is a Deliberative Body

The Eight Diversity Guidelines

  1. Where Diversity Matters – as a component part of the board’s deliberations
  2. Remember That Board Members Are Donors – they are donors of their time (monthly meetings) and of their money (to some extent) – they are not paid employees.
  3. The Fiduciary Duty to Recruit People to Serve on the Board – the board recruitment function is where diversity is implemented.
  4. The Fiduciary Duty to Include Racial and Ethnic Diversity – as a Factor in the Board Recruitment Process.
  5. Board Diversity Recruitment Guidelines (and Requirements) – must also be flexible enough in their application to apply to organizations with many different types of missions and geographic locations. There is no one-size-fits-all answer and there are myriad variables
  6. The 14 Factors to Guide the Discretion of the Board Recruitment Function or Committee
  7. Some Sample Board Resolutions and a Board Recruiting Committee Charter
  8. The Outer Limits on the Board Diversity Effort

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Anne Ruwet

​Anne Ruwet

Senior Consultant
The Alliance for Nonprofit Growth and Opportunity (TANGO)

Contact Anne – 860-307-9531

Anne’s unique set of skills and experience offer keen insights for those considering joining a nonprofit board. As the Chief Executive Officer (1994-2021) of a leading agency providing services for people with intellectual disabilities, over the years, she collaborated with scores of business and community leaders who served on the Board of Directors. While she is well-versed in the fiduciary and legal implications of Board service, Anne realizes that a passion for helping others is what truly inspires people to devote their time and talent to accomplish great things.

Serving as a State Representative on the CT Legislature for six years, as well as ongoing public service in her local community as an elected City Councilwoman, has afforded Anne with a well-rounded perspective on the interface between government and the private sector. She fully understands the importance of working in partnership for the greater good. Anne has served in various capacities on multiple boards and committees, and as a member of the Executive Board of the CT Nonprofit Alliance, she helped define and represent the challenges faced by nonprofits statewide. Approachable, insightful, and kind, Anne is a well-respected leader with incredible heart, compassion, and wisdom.

Fred Jenoure, Director of TANGO’s Board  Diversity Initiative

Fred Jenoure

Director of TANGO’s Board Diversity Initiative
The Alliance for Nonprofit Growth and Opportunity (TANGO)

Contact Fred – (508) 736-4488 or via email

Frederick Jenoure, is director of TANGO’s Board Diversity Initiative and Consulting Practice. Fred has more than 30 years of experience in leadership positions with several prestigious institutions and community organizations, focusing on management and organizational structures, diversity and inclusion, supervisory training, property management, conflict resolution, and union negotiations. He was named Volunteer of the Year by the Urban League of Greater Hartford, and the Adult of the Year Award from the YMCA of Central Mass. He served as Chairman of the board of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, Vice President of the Connecticut Council for the Advancement of Diversity, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Urban League of Greater Hartford, and in similar senior positions on several nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

“There are a lot of publications purporting to tell you how to run your nonprofit, but The TANGO Nonprofit Method is the best resource we’ve seen. If you want to really know all the legal and operational steps to take to make your nonprofit successful, this book should be in your library.”

John Griswold

Senior Consultant, Association of Governing Boards of Universities

“The TANGO Nonprofit Method is a beautiful balancing act.  Comprehensive and accessible.  Educational and practical. Whether you are a seasoned professional advisor or just starting your first term as a nonprofit director, this work will quickly become your “go to” resource, a guide that will cultivate a deep and rewarding understanding of the nonprofit sector.”

Edward B. Spinella

Chair of Murtha Cullina, LLP's Tax-Exempt Organizations Practice

“This book is an invaluable resource for officers, directors and senior leaders of nonprofit organizations of all sizes and types. Written in plain English, the book educates the reader about the business of nonprofits — the legal structures, the financial structures and governance — and provides examples and case studies that put the material in context. A must-read for anyone new serving on a nonprofit board”.

Gayle C. Wintjen

General Counsel, Oak Hill

The TANGO Nonprofit Method

Jack used his 36 years of combined legal experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to author The TANGO Nonprofit Method. The book accompanied by interactive presentations is a nonprofit instructional guide that will enhance your organization’s mission and structure. It will guide nonprofits through best practices for your boards of directors, management teams, employees, clients and overall company mission!

“The TANGO Nonprofit Method is a necessary resource for all existing or newly formed nonprofit organizations. An essential tool for both staff and board members that is easy to read and reference. I would recommend to all nonprofit executive directors to further enhance their board education efforts as it can be easily sectioned and included as a regular meeting agenda item.”

Susan D. Sadecki, MBA

President & CEO, Main St. Community Foundation

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29 South Main Street, Suite 300
West Hartford, CT 06107

877-708-2646

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