Nonprofit FAQs

Conflict of Interest

What is conflict of interest?

Conflict of interest arises whenever the personal or professional interests of a board member are potentially at odds with the best interests of the nonprofit. An example could be when a board member performs professional services for an organization, or proposes that a relative or friend be considered for a staff position.

Excerpted from “What You Should Know About Nonprofits” a joint project of Board Source and Independent Sector.

Additional Resources

• Detailed definitions and penalties can be viewed in the MANP summary of 2001 legislation updating the Nonprofit Corporation Act, LD 1770.
• MANP’s searchable Answer Center includes resources to help nonprofits avoid conflict of interest, including sample conflict of interest policies.