BoardShift

Diversifying voices across the board

BoardShift equips equity-deserving leaders with the skills and confidence to take on board and governance roles, closing representation gaps and strengthening community leadership.

Why BoardShift Matters

Build practical, job-ready governance knowledge you can apply immediately
Gain confidence to contribute meaningfully to board and committee settings
Strengthen decision-making by bringing varying perspectives into governance spaces
Expand pathways for deserving leaders into board and public service roles
Support organizations in building inclusive, future-ready leadership

Program Features

BoardShift is an online, self-paced learning program developed with governance experts to prepare participants for effective board service.

Online and self-paced: Learn on your own schedule
Time commitment: Three courses, approximately 2–2.5 hours each
Timeline: 60 days from program start to complete all content
Recognition: Complete the program to receive a certificate and join the BoardShift mailing list for board opportunities

Program Curriculum

BoardShift’s curriculum undergoes regular, active review to reflect emerging governance challenges, evolving best practices, and diverse perspectives. The program includes three core courses:

Demystifying the Board

Understand the landscape of nonprofit, charitable, and public sector boards, governance models, and the roles and responsibilities of board members.

Finance & Fundraising Fundamentals

Master critical financial processes and build confidence in financial oversight, including budget development, reading financial statements, CRA reporting, and the board’s role in fundraising.

Board Recruitment to Sustainable Service

Explore the full board lifecycle — from recruitment and interviews to long-term, effective participation.

BoardShift for Individuals

Board leadership is strongest when people from different life stages, backgrounds, and experiences shape decisions. BoardShift cohorts are offered twice annually and made free for equity-deserving leaders through sponsor support.

Organizations and Boards

CivicAction works with organizations to create strong partnerships that build more inclusive, liveable cities. These partnerships provide BoardShift access to employee resource groups, boards, and the communities our partners serve. Organizations also have the option to purchase the program for their boards.

Offered twice annually, BoardShift cohorts are made free for equity-deserving leaders through the generous support of our sponsors.

BoardShift’s public access cohorts have a limited number of seats, offered on a first-come, first-served basis to those who meet the eligibility criteria.

Inclusive governance is not optional — it’s essential. BoardShift equips and empowers diverse leaders to take a seat at the table, and organizations are made stronger when more voices are heard.

How organizations can engage

Partner With BoardShift

Organizations and funders can support BoardShift by:

Purchasing access for boards, staff, or leadership pipelines
Sponsoring free-access cohorts for equity-deserving leaders
Supporting outreach and recruitment into board opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Good conversations start with good questions. On this page, you’ll find answers to commonly asked questions about BoardShift and its programs. If your question isn’t answered below, please contact us and we’ll get in touch with you directly.

Am I an eligible candidate for a BoardShift cohort?

BoardShift is for individuals wo identify as belonging to an equity-deserving community, including:

Indigenous, Black or racialized
2SLGBTQIA+
Women
Persons with disabilities
Newcomers

You must be able to meet the time commitment of completing all course material within 60 days from the cohort start date.

How can I be notified of upcoming cohorts?

Join the CivicAction Emerging Leaders Network to be notified of the next cohort availability and enrollment.

Will my access to BoardShift expire?

BoardShift is available to you for 60 days from the date you enroll on the CivicAction Academy LMS. Access is removed following this due date.

As an organization, how can we offer the BoardShift curriculum to our board members or employees?

If you are looking to provide our governance training to your board of directors, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), or your direct community, we would love to discuss a customized partnership or through a group enrolment purchase. Please reach out to our team at leadership@civicaction.ca to explore how we can work together.

As an organization, how can we inform BoardShift graduates of open governance roles?

Contact us at leadership@civicaction.ca with the subject line “BoardShift Graduate Opportunity” to connect with our team. There is no fee to broadcast roles to the BoardShift mailing list.

I was looking for the BoardShift candidate matching platform. Where did it go?

As of March 31, 2026, BoardShift has transitioned away from the matching platform. We are refocusing our mission exclusively on the BoardShift governance curriculum to provide a more impactful, direct learning experience for emerging and current leaders in the nonprofit, charitable, and public sectors. If you are a previous subscriber, your access will remain active until March 31, 2026. If you need to discuss your previous account or historical data, please contact our team at leadership@civicaction.ca.

Real stories. Real impact.

"Each time I attend, I leave feeling like another tool has been added to my toolbox. I have most valued learning from other fellows."

“I've had the opportunity to participate in various leadership training programs, but none have matched the positive energy of the fellow's program. The passion and intentionality that go into it are exceptional and inspiring.”

“This program exceeded my expectations”

"Diversecity Fellows was a program that supported me during my "season of stretch" - one of the most transformative chapters of my career when I really needed to focus on my purpose. Thanks to the fellows sessions, my mentor, my cohort and the staff at Civicaction, I feel clearer about what I have to offer as a diverse leader in the city.

Inclusive governance is not optional — it’s essential. BoardShift equips and empowers diverse leaders to take a seat at the table — and organizations are made stronger when more voices are heard.