I've been working on creating a board self-assessment tool for one of my clients, and have come across several terrific and freely available self-assessment tools that can be used as templates.

Here's a list of links (in no particular order), below:

New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits and the Corporate Fund 72 questions across 12 categories including Board/Staff roles, Policy Making and Planning, Fiscal Management, Fundraising, and Board Structure, Membership, and Orientation. (.pdf available for free to everyone, online tool available for a fee for nonprofits outside NH)

Simple 22-question tool from CompassPoint with general questions across most areas of governance.

Executive Board Self-Assessment Tool from Boy Scouts of America. 75 questions across three areas: Good Governance, Sufficient Revenue Generation, Strong Fiscal Capacity and a simple action plan template.

McKinsey and Co.'s short-form 27-question assessment on key Board functions, priorities, and effectiveness AND the long-form version with detailed explanations and 57 questions.

Iowa Hospital Association Board Self-Assessment Guide. Designed for hospital Boards, but with great questions for all. 44 questions in 4 categories including Board Composition, Board Education and Development, Board/Committee Procedures, and Scope of Responsibility. Also includes a 14-question personal assessment for Board members.

Florida Association of Community Health Centers. Includes 41 questions on Organization Performance, Board Performance, Effectiveness, Duties of Care and Loyalty, and General Questions.

Do you know of other free tools that could be useful for assessing Board performance?