Publications and Tools > Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

This area is dedicated to the role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in nonprofit organizations. Learn more about the role, how to become a nonprofit COO, connect with your COO peer, and find a COO for your organization.

Featured Content

I Need a COO: The Translation

Often nonprofit leaders see the COO as the Superman/woman who will bring order to operational chaos and generally make life easier for the ED.  But that’s not always the case. Getting things back on track often requires more than a COO; it requires understanding why the train left the track in the first place.

Creating the COO Position

While there is great variety in how nonprofit organizations structure and use the position of Cheif Operating Officer, there are a few key factors and events that drive nonprofit organizations to consider adding it. In this article, COOs and EDs shared their experiences working in organizations that recognized the need for a COO, faced doubts and concerns about the position, and worked through challenges to successfully bring in a COO. 

Featured Profiles

David Williams: Reflections on the COO Position

David Williams worked at Habitat for Humanity International for more than ten years, five of them as executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer. In that position he ran the internal side of a very large, complex organization, working under its high-profile founder.