Chief Governance Officer (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward. , Chief Governance Officer (Volunteer) PromiseGovernance | Governance, Ethics & Organizational Stewardship Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP) Division PromiseGovernance Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed Commitment Approximately 5–10 hours per week Type Volunteer Executive Leadership Role Minimum Commitment 6-month Commitment Required Reports To Chief Executive Officer About Mentor A Promise Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support. As MAP grows, effective governance is essential to sustaining public trust, organizational integrity, and long-term impact. Strong governance ensures that decisions remain aligned with our mission, strengthens accountability, and supports responsible stewardship of the people, resources, relationships, and responsibilities entrusted to our care. About PromiseGovernance PromiseGovernance is MAP's governance, board relations, organizational accountability, ethics, policy governance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise stewardship division. The division establishes the governance systems, leadership practices, organizational frameworks, and accountability structures that promote transparency, ethical leadership, strategic oversight, and responsible decision-making across MAP. PromiseGovernance exists to ensure MAP operates with integrity, accountability, and excellence while remaining mission-focused and future-ready. Role Overview The Chief Governance Officer serves as the executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, development, and operational excellence of PromiseGovernance. This role provides executive leadership across governance strategy, Board of Directors relations, organizational accountability, governance policy, ethics, regulatory compliance, enterprise stewardship, and board effectiveness. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and division chiefs, the Chief Governance Officer helps ensure that MAP's governance practices strengthen organizational performance, reinforce public trust, and support responsible long-term growth. The ideal candidate is an experienced executive leader with expertise in nonprofit governance, board relations, organizational leadership, policy development, ethics, accountability, and enterprise governance. Key Responsibilities Governance Strategy Develop and lead MAP's enterprise governance strategyStrengthen governance frameworks that support organizational excellenceAlign governance practices with MAP's mission, vision, and strategic prioritiesPromote effective governance across divisions and leadership structuresIdentify opportunities to modernize and strengthen governance systemsSupport continuous improvement of governance practices Board Governance & Relations Serve as a senior executive liaison to the Board of DirectorsSupport board governance, committee operations, and governance planningCoordinate board meetings, governance documentation, and board developmentStrengthen board engagement, effectiveness, and accountabilitySupport board orientation and continuing governance educationHelp maintain clear distinctions among board governance, executive leadership, and organizational operationsEnsure governance practices align with applicable requirements and recognized nonprofit governance practices Ethics & Organizational Accountability Promote ethical leadership throughout MAPStrengthen organizational accountability and stewardship frameworksSupport enterprise decision-making rooted in integrity and transparencyOversee governance policies and organizational codes of conductStrengthen conflict-of-interest and ethical decision-making practicesFoster a culture of responsibility, accountability, and ethical leadership Governance Policies & Stewardship Lead the development and maintenance of governance policies and organizational standardsEstablish appropriate policy ownership, review, approval, and renewal processesEnsure governance documents remain current, accessible, and effectiveSupport policy modernization initiativesStrengthen organizational stewardship and responsible oversightPromote governance consistency across MAP Regulatory Compliance & Governance Oversight Provide executive oversight for governance-related regulatory complianceSupport systems for identifying and monitoring organizational compliance responsibilitiesGuide regulatory compliance and ethics initiatives within PromiseGovernanceEnsure significant governance and compliance concerns are appropriately escalatedPartner with specialized leaders and professional advisors when matters require legal, financial, privacy, safeguarding, cybersecurity, or other expertisePromote proactive rather than reactive compliance practices Executive & Enterprise Governance Advise the Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership on governance mattersSupport enterprise governance and organizational risk oversightFacilitate strategic governance discussions and executive decision-makingPromote cross-divisional accountability and collaborationStrengthen organizational resilience through sound governanceHelp ensure governance structures evolve appropriately as MAP grows Organizational Accountability Develop frameworks that clarify organizational responsibility and decision-making authoritySupport leadership accountability across divisionsStrengthen governance reporting and follow-throughHelp ensure significant organizational decisions are appropriately documentedPromote clear ownership of governance actions and commitmentsIdentify governance gaps and recommend improvements Governance Risk & Organizational Integrity Identify governance risks that may affect MAP's mission, reputation, accountability, or organizational effectivenessSupport governance risk assessments and mitigation planningPartner with appropriate leaders on enterprise-level concernsStrengthen escalation pathways for significant governance mattersHelp leadership balance organizational innovation with responsible oversight Cross-Divisional Collaboration Partner with PromiseTrust on legal and governance mattersCollaborate with PromisePeople on leadership accountability and people-related governanceSupport PromiseOperations in organizational effectiveness initiativesWork with PromiseShield on governance involving cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, and enterprise riskCollaborate with PromiseFinance on financial governance and stewardshipCoordinate with PromisePublic where governance intersects with policy, government, advocacy, accessibility, or external affairsAlign governance initiatives with MAP's broader organizational strategy Executive Leadership Responsibilities The Chief Governance Officer provides executive leadership and oversight across the following areas. Board Governance Responsible for Board relationsBoard effectivenessGovernance committeesBoard developmentGovernance planningBoard governance practices Governance & Policy Responsible for Governance frameworksOrganizational policiesGovernance standardsEnterprise governancePolicy governanceGovernance modernization Ethics & Accountability Responsible for Ethical leadershipOrganizational accountabilityStewardshipTransparencyConflict-of-interest governanceOrganizational integrity Regulatory Compliance Responsible for Governance-related compliance oversightCompliance frameworksRegulatory monitoringEthics and compliance coordinationEscalation of significant compliance matters Organizational Governance Responsible for Mission alignmentStrategic oversightExecutive governanceGovernance innovationOrganizational accountabilityEnterprise stewardship Potential Reporting Structure Director of Board Governance & Board RelationsDirector of Governance Policy & Organizational StewardshipDirector of Ethics & Organizational AccountabilityDirector of Regulatory ComplianceDirector of Governance OperationsGovernance Program ManagersBoard Relations CoordinatorsRegulatory Compliance & Ethics AnalystsGovernance Analysts Preferred Qualifications Executive leadership experience in nonprofit governance, corporate governance, public administration, legal operations, organizational leadership, compliance, ethics, or related fieldsStrong knowledge of nonprofit governance principles and board operationsExperience supporting Boards of Directors and executive leadership teamsExperience developing governance frameworks, organizational policies, accountability systems, or enterprise governance initiativesStrong understanding of ethics, stewardship, organizational accountability, and governance riskExceptional strategic planning, communication, and leadership abilitiesAbility to advise executive leaders on complex organizational mattersStrong judgment, discretion, and integrityAbility to build systems and lead cross-functional initiativesExperience leading or developing teamsPassion for ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and mission-driven organizations Why This Role Matters Strong governance builds strong organizations. Strong organizations create lasting impact. As MAP grows, governance must grow with it. The Chief Governance Officer helps ensure that expansion does not outpace accountability, innovation does not outpace responsible oversight, and organizational complexity does not weaken clarity or stewardship. This role provides the governance foundation that enables MAP to responsibly serve children and families while earning and maintaining the trust of volunteers, board members, donors, partners, community organizations, and the communities we serve. Success Measures Strength of governance frameworks and organizational accountabilityBoard effectiveness and engagementGovernance policy development and implementationExecutive leadership support and strategic governance alignmentOrganizational transparency and ethical leadershipStrength of regulatory compliance and ethics oversightClear governance ownership and decision-making structuresTimely identification and escalation of significant governance risksAdvancement of enterprise governance and stewardship initiativesDevelopment of a sustainable PromiseGovernance leadership structure Leadership Participation The Chief Governance Officer is expected to Attend Executive Leadership Team meetingsAttend Board of Directors and relevant Governance Committee meetingsConduct weekly one-on-one check-ins with direct reportsLead PromiseGovernance leadership meetings as appropriateLead governance planning and organizational stewardship initiativesProvide regular governance updates to appropriate leadershipFoster cross-divisional collaboration and executive alignmentMaintain appropriate confidentiality and executive discretion Volunteer Expectations Approximately 5–10 hours per weekMinimum 6-month commitment requiredMaintain timely and professional communicationProvide consistent executive leadership and follow-throughCollaborate through MAP systems and communication platformsExercise discretion when handling sensitive organizational mattersSupport MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational valuesFoster a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, collaboration, and excellenceProvide at least two weeks' notice when ending volunteer service whenever possible What You'll Gain Executive leadership experience helping shape the governance of a growing nonprofit organizationOpportunity to build enterprise governance systems with long-term organizational impactDirect experience supporting board governance, ethics, accountability, policy governance, and organizational stewardshipCollaboration with executive leaders, board members, governance professionals, and multidisciplinary teamsOpportunity to build and lead a developing governance functionProfessional references and letters of recommendationMeaningful impact supporting an organization dedicated to children and families experiencing housing instability How To Apply Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter. Please highlight experience involving nonprofit governance, board leadership, organizational strategy, public administration, policy governance, ethics, regulatory compliance, legal operations, executive leadership, or related disciplines. Help build the governance, accountability, ethical leadership, and organizational stewardship that will guide Mentor A Promise for generations to come. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.