Client Overview
Partakers, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1997. The organization, is dedicated to reducing prison recidivism by supporting incarcerated students pursuing college degrees and educational programming as well as returning citizens navigating the difficult path of reentry through a relational model centered on community mentorship.Through their work, Partakers is also changing the narrative around incarceration while building connection and community. With over 400 volunteer mentors and partnerships with leading academic institutions, the organization has achieved remarkable outcomes — including an estimated ~2% recidivism rate among its “College Behind Bars” graduates (versus a national average of ~79%) and a 95% stable employment and housing placement rate for its reentry empowerment program alumni.
The Challenge
As Partakers’ work expanded and the organization grew,, they recognized that their board was functioning within an outdated and disconnected model and set of expectations and regulations. The was an urgent need to evolve from a mission-driven board with little responsibility and accountability into a strategic and engaged governing body. A governance assessment identified several key challenges:
Absence of standing committees (Finance, Governance, Succession).
No formal leadership succession plan
No formal Membership expectations or term capacity.
No structured onboarding.
Outdated bylaws and informal policies.
Inconsistent meeting participation and unclear roles or accountability systems.
Limited board member confidence in governance roles and fiduciary capacity.
Without strengthening its governance foundation, the organization risked reduced Board Member engagement, organizational accountability, leadership continuity and long-term sustainability.
Our Approach
ACG guided Partakers through a three-phase governance strengthening process:
Assessment & Listening: Conducted interviews with Board Members and leadership and surveys to identify strengths, gaps, and governance barriers.
Collaborative Design: Co-created practical solutions through focus groups and benchmarking against peer nonprofits.
Implementation: Delivered a Governance Toolkit—including a revised Board Manual, core policies (Conflict of Interest, Whistleblower, Fiscal Management, Gift Acceptance), and a “Give/Get” engagement model—to establish structure and accountability.
Results & Impact
Within six months post-implementation, the nonprofit achieved meaningful progress:
Governance & Policy Outcomes
Formal adoption of a Board Manual, clarifying structure and board member responsibilities.
Establishment of two standing committees (Finance & Governance) to monitor board development and fiscal oversight.
Formalized policy framework supporting transparency, accountability and ethical governance.
Cultural & Leadership Outcomes
Clearer roles and stronger engagement among board members.
Increased participation, accountability, and confidence in governance.
Formalized leadership succession planning and committee systems.
Decision to engage ACG to assist with Board recruitment and development
Quantitative Indicators
Indicator | Pre-Engagement | Post-Engagement (6 months) |
Standing Committees | 0 | 2 |
Committee Participation (%) | ~30% | ~80% |
Formal Policies in Place | Minimal / Informal | Full manual/policy set |
Board Confidence (self-rated out of 5) | ~2.8 | ~4.3 |
Leadership Succession Plan | None | Drafted & In-Review |
Strategic ReadinessFollowing the engagement, Partakers emerged with an active governance framework, enhanced leadership confidence, and readiness for strategic planning, board member recruitment, and leadership transition — providing a foundation for future growth and sustainable impact.
Key Insights
Listening is a catalyst: Confidential interviews surfaced latent concerns and built trust.
Structure enables culture: Clear systems and policies strengthened accountability.
Succession is essential: Proactive planning ensures leadership continuity.
Capacity building over quick fixes: Empowering the board created long-term ownership of governance reform.
Conclusion
Through ACG’s structured and collaborative approach, Partakers, Inc. successfully transitioned from a mission-driven volunteer board into a strategic and accountable governance body. The initiative demonstrates how intentional, participatory governance reform can transform nonprofit leadership capacity and sustain mission impact.
Call to Action: Interested in strengthening your board’s governance, leadership capacity or strategic alignment? Contact us at jlloyd@agileconsulting-llc.com to explore how we can support your organization.
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