Visit the ACE Mentor Site!

National Calendar

Running and Building a Board

All affiliates of the ACE Mentor Program of America are freestanding, independent corporations operating under their affiliate agreement. While national provides key support—including insurance, resources, and guidance—affiliates are responsible for governing and managing their own Affiliate. This includes building and maintaining an effective board.

The ACE affiliate board is responsible for governing the organization in alignment with federal, state, and ACE policies. It establishes local policies, approves and monitors budgets, oversees program operations, and sets objectives and goals consistent with ACE National standards. The board ensures the affiliate’s activities support these goals and exercises overall oversight, with members fulfilling their duties as outlined in the bylaws.

National and Regional Directors

Offer guidance and support, but the ultimate accountability for compliance, risk management and performance rests with the local board. The resources below are intended to support ACE affiliates boards in effective operation.

Open All | Close All

Board members must comply with applicable laws and organizational policies, including those set by regulatory bodies such as the Internal Revenue Service for tax-exempt organizations, as well as any internal guidelines or standards (such as ACE or similar governing frameworks relevant to your organization). This includes adhering to following bylaws, conflict of interest policies, maintaining confidentiality, and exercising fiduciary duties—duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience. Following these standards ensures accountability, protects the organization’s nonprofit status, and builds trust with stakeholders and the community.

For more information on Corporate and ACE policies, visit on Risk Management Page

Understanding and adhering to board bylaws is essential for effective governance and organizational integrity. Bylaws serve as the legal framework for how the board operates, outlining roles, responsibilities, meeting procedures, voting requirements, and terms of service. All ACE affiliates have established bylaws that were reviewed for legal compliance at the time of creation and designed to support board and affiliate operations without the need for significant ongoing changes.

It is imperative that all ACE board members are familiar with their bylaws to ensure the board operates within established guidelines and maintains accountability and compliance. New board members should be provided a copy of the bylaws and certify receipt and at a minimum the bylaws should be reviewed every 3 years. If a board is not operating in alignment with its bylaws, the affiliate should adjust its practices accordingly. In general, bylaws are not changed to reflect current practices. Rather, current practices should be adjusted to reflect the bylaw directives.

If the bylaws no longer reflect how the board needs to function, appropriate steps should be taken to formally amend them. Bylaws should also be reviewed regularly to ensure the affiliate remains aligned with current federal and state legal requirements.

Please note, if an affiliate updates and amends their bylaws, they must notify their Regional Director to support the process, ensure compliance and update the bylaws with ACE National.

While each affiliate operates as an independent corporation and must comply with applicable state and federal laws, they are also bound by the terms of the agreement signed at the time of formation. Affiliates should review this agreement periodically to ensure ongoing compliance with national standards. Regional Directors provide annual support and guidance, but ultimate responsibility for compliance rests with the affiliate’s board. Annual reporting requirements that are generally required by the affiliate agreement can be found HERE

If you need support with finding, reviewing or adhering to your Affiliate Agreement, please reach out to your Regional Director.

This webinar is designed specifically for ACE Mentor Program board members and affiliate leaders who are committed to maximizing their impact. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of board governance best practices, with a focus on supporting ACE’s mission, understanding compliance, and driving affiliate success. Participants will gain a better understanding of their role, responsibilities and fiduciary duties – along with key aspects of ACE National’s policies – to ensure effective government and overall affiliate success.

Intended Audience:

  • Affiliate Board Members
  • Affiliate Leadership (Executive Directors, Program Managers)
  • Anyone involved in governance, development, or strategic planning at the affiliate level

Open All | Close All

Hiring Database Admins, Affiliate Directors
and other paid support

ACE research shows a strong correlation between hiring paid support staff and increased fundraising success, program growth, and overall affiliate sustainability. While paid support operates under the direction and oversight of the board, the decision to add staff or contracted support should be made thoughtfully and in coordination with fundraising goals, financial capacity, and broader strategic planning efforts. Before hiring, affiliates should assess whether they have sufficient and sustainable funding not only for salary costs, but also for related expenses such as taxes, benefits, technology, and administrative support. Affiliates should also understand the distinction between an independent contractor and an employee, as each carries different legal, tax, and compliance obligations. If an affiliate grows to the point of hiring full-time staff, additional responsibilities—including payroll administration, employment policies, insurance considerations, and compliance with federal and state employment laws—must be considered. Careful planning can help ensure that adding paid support strengthens the affiliate while remaining financially and operationally sustainable.

Need guidance?

Reach out to your Regional Director or the ACE National Team for support on building and managing your board.

Contact Support