Critical skills and knowledge
Acquire the skills and knowledge needed for serving on a board of directors, starting with what a board is and why it exists.
Nonprofit · Corporate · Board education
World-Class Board Member Education
Walk into any boardroom with a strong foundation on what a board is, why it exists, who the players are, and how directors can make or break the organization.
The person you see and hear in the welcome video is an AI-generated version of Michael Barrick. The video is an introduction. It does not promise a board seat or any pay.
Read the welcome video transcript
The speaker is an AI-generated version of Michael Barrick.
Hi, I'm Michael Barrick, and this is Board Director Institute. If you serve on a board, or you want to, I want to help you become the best-trained person in the room.
When you really understand how boards work, people notice. You ask better questions. You know your duties. You help the board make good decisions, and avoid the costly ones. That earns respect, and respect opens doors.
Well-trained directors get asked to serve again. On more boards, on committees, as chair. Whether it's a nonprofit you care about, a growing company, or a public board, preparation is what gets you the seat, and keeps it.
And on the corporate side, board service is often paid. Private company directors are usually paid in cash, equity, or both. On large public company boards, total director pay often runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Those seats are competitive, and they go to people who are ready.
And for many of us, board service is how we give back. Your time and judgment can change what an organization is able to do for its community. You owe it to them to show up ready.
That's why we're building a full library of board courses. It starts with the fundamentals, for nonprofit and corporate boards, and goes deeper from there, with more courses on the way. Short video lessons, a guide for every lesson, real board exercises, and a certificate when you finish.
You don't have to learn this the hard way, in the boardroom. Start today at Board Director Institute, and be the director every board is glad to have.
Inside the courses
- Fiduciary duties
- Reading the budget
- Board and management
- Meetings that decide
Illustration only. The people, names and figures in this picture are samples.
Some board seats are paid, while many nonprofit seats are volunteer roles. Here is what published surveys show, plus one BDI estimate. These are survey figures, not a promise of a seat or of any level of pay.
- $336,352: Average total pay for an S&P 500 director (Spencer Stuart U.S. Board Index, 2025)
- $50,000: Median total pay for a private company director (CAP and Private Company Director survey, 2025)
- $38,800: Median annual cash retainer on a private company board (CAP and Private Company Director survey, 2025)
- $35,000: Estimated advisory board pay, about 70% of a director seat (BDI estimate, not a published survey figure)
For nonprofit boards
Nonprofit Director
Nonprofit Board Fundamentals gives new board members the knowledge and skills to govern and support their nonprofit organization.
Explore the nonprofit path
For corporate boards
Corporate Director
Corporate Board Fundamentals teaches executives and recent retirees how a for-profit board works, and Corporate Board Governance takes directors further.
Explore the corporate courses
The corporate director's path
Corporate Director
Corporate Board Fundamentals is a self-paced online course for executives and professionals preparing for a for-profit board. Short video lessons cover directors' duties, committees and oversight. Pass a 30-question assessment (24 correct, retakes allowed) to earn a Certificate of Completion, which is not accreditation. $497.
The corporate director's path is for people who want to understand how a for-profit company board works and how to prepare to serve on one. Learn the job first, then take your next step with a clear picture of what directors do. Earn Your Certificate of Completion.
The nonprofit director's path
Nonprofit Board Member
Nonprofit Board Fundamentals is a self-paced online course for people joining, or already serving on, a U.S. nonprofit board. Short video lessons cover your duties, the budget and meetings. Pass a 30-question assessment (24 correct, retakes allowed) to earn a Certificate of Completion, which is not accreditation or licensure. $197.
The nonprofit director's path is designed for people who are about to serve, or already serve, on a nonprofit board. Enroll today and take the first step toward understanding the role and what is expected of you. Earn Your Certificate of Completion.
All in one place
Become a Well-Prepared Board Member
Board Director Institute (BDI) is an online education provider for new and current board members. Founder Michael Barrick created its video courses for nonprofit and corporate directors; the video and voice use an AI-generated version of him. Each course ends with an assessment and a Certificate of Completion, which is not accreditation or licensure.
Short, plain-language lessons on what boards do, how they make decisions, and what every director is responsible for, all in one place.
Why board training
So, Why Get Board Training?
Most new directors learn the job by watching others, and the first few years can feel like guesswork. That is where board fundamentals courses come in. Ours teach what a director needs to know, in plain language, so you can take part with a clear picture of the role.
Oversight and strategy
Enhance your ability to govern and oversee the strategy and performance of your organization.
Governance best practices
Learn best practices in governance, risk management, financial management, and strategic planning.
Legal and regulatory awareness
Gain a deeper understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements every board is expected to meet.
Without and with board training
What Board Training Adds
Without board training
- Lack of critical skills and knowledge for serving on a board of directors
- Difficulty governing and overseeing the strategy and performance of your organization
- Poor understanding of best practices in governance, risk, finance, and strategic planning
- Less awareness of the legal and regulatory requirements boards are expected to meet
- Uncertainty when it is time to make an informed decision
- Knowledge that falls behind current practice
- Less confidence when taking part in board discussions
- Fewer ways to contribute to the mission
With board training
- Acquire critical skills and knowledge for serving on a board of directors
- Enhance your ability to govern and oversee strategy and performance
- Learn best practices in governance, risk, finance, and strategic planning
- Gain a deeper understanding of legal and regulatory requirements
- Improve your ability to make informed decisions for your organization
- Learn how good boards work today
- Bring more confidence to board discussions
- Contribute in ways that matter to the organization
How it works
From first lesson to certificate, step by step.
You choose a nonprofit or corporate course, watch short video lessons at your own pace, then take an assessment of 30 scenario questions. Twenty-four correct answers pass, and retakes are allowed. You then receive a Certificate of Completion from Board Director Institute. It records what you finished and is not accreditation, professional certification or licensure.
- 01
Choose your course
Start with the nonprofit or corporate path, whichever fits the board you serve or hope to serve.
- 02
Watch short lessons
Plain-language video lessons built on realistic board situations. Watch at your own pace.
- 03
Pass the assessment
Answer scenario questions that ask what you would do in the boardroom. Retakes are allowed.
- 04
Earn your certificate
Receive a Certificate of Completion from Board Director Institute that records what you finished.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to your questions about board training
Not sure which course fits? Send us a note.
Request informationDo I need board experience?
No. The courses start with the basics and build from realistic board situations, so you can take one before your first meeting. If you already serve on a board, use it as a refresher on the documents, duties and meeting practices every director meets.
How do I become a corporate board member?
Learn the job first: what the board decides, what management runs, and a director's duties. Then write a one-page board bio that leads with the problems you can help a board solve, and tell your network you want to serve. Many directors start on a nonprofit or advisory board. No course can promise a seat.
How much do corporate board members make?
It varies widely by company size. Published surveys show average total pay of $336,352 for an S&P 500 director (Spencer Stuart 2025 U.S. Board Index) and median total pay of $50,000 for a private company director (CAP and Private Company Director survey, 2025). Many nonprofit board seats are volunteer roles. These figures come from surveys. They are not a promise of a seat or of any level of pay.
What is corporate board training?
Corporate board training teaches how a company board works: directors' duties, the line between oversight and management, committees such as audit and compensation, risk and strategy. Corporate Board Fundamentals covers these basics, and Corporate Board Governance goes deeper for sitting directors.
Who is the nonprofit course for?
People who are about to join, or already serve on, a U.S. nonprofit board, including current directors who want a clear refresher. State law and each organization's own documents can change the answer, so check them for your own organization.
How does the course assessment work?
Each course ends with 30 scenario questions that ask what you would do in realistic board situations. You need 24 correct answers (80%) to pass, and retakes are allowed.
Is the Certificate of Completion accredited or a professional certification?
No. The Certificate of Completion is issued by Board Director Institute. It is not accreditation, professional certification, licensure, a board appointment or an employment guarantee. It records that you completed every required lesson and passed the course assessment.
Who teaches the course, and is it AI?
Michael Barrick created the course. The video and voice in this course use an AI-generated version of Michael Barrick. Michael reviewed and approved the lesson content.
Is this legal or tax advice?
No. The courses are general education. Use them to recognize issues and ask better questions, and consult a qualified adviser about your organization's facts and your state's law.
How do I reach a person?
Use the form below. A person reads messages on weekdays. Please do not send passwords, card numbers or government ID numbers.
Are you ready to serve?
The world needs impactful directors.
It's easy to get started with Board Director Institute. Connect with us to learn more about our programs and how BDI fits your goals.
Board Director Institute provides general education, not legal advice. State law and your organization's own documents can change the answer.
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