Governance in Korean Nonprofits: Finding Structures of Trust and Collaboration
"Can a nonprofit organization rely solely on good intentions to ensure sustainability?" Korean nonprofit organizations are actively working at the forefront of social problem-solving. Yet internally, they still face deep questions about governance. In the context of nonprofits, governance is more than just how a board operates or how decisions are made. It reflects the relational structure of an organization — how decisions are made together, responsibilities are shared, and trust is built. Key Issues in Governance of Korean Nonprofits In nonprofits, “how we work together” often matters more than “what we do.” Korean nonprofits exist in various forms, including foundations, associations, civic organizations, and social cooperatives. Legally, most are structured around a board of directors, but in practice, boards often only participate in formal decision-making or lack deep involvement in operations. In some cases, boards exi...