Teaching Paper: Glossary of Legal and Governance Terms for Non-Profits – Building Shared Language for Accountability and Compliance

Teaching Paper: Glossary of Legal and Governance Terms for Non-Profits – Building Shared Language for Accountability and Compliance

Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-lg-fr-ens-tp-05


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About the Teaching Paper

Non-profit organizations operate within complex legal and governance frameworks that require precise understanding of technical terms. This Teaching Paper presents a glossary of 25 essential terms in non-profit governance, law, and accountability, each with clear academic definitions and practical notes for application. By consolidating terminology related to governance, compliance, financial management, and ethical standards, the paper provides practitioners, educators, and students with a shared vocabulary to strengthen transparency, trust, and organizational sustainability. Reflection questions and a case study illustrate how mastery of these terms enhances decision-making and donor confidence.

Key Topics

  • Non-profit governance
  • Accountability
  • Compliance
  • Fiduciary duty
  • Strategic planning
  • Transparency
  • Fundraising ethics
  • Legal terminology

Suggested Citation

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Glossary of Legal and Governance Terms for Non-Profits – Building Shared Language for Accountability and Compliance. Neya Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-lg-fr-ens-tp-05

References

Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations. Jossey-Bass.
Drucker, P. F. (1990). Managing the non-profit organization: Principles and practices. HarperCollins.
Hopkins, B. R. (2018). Starting and managing a nonprofit organization: A legal guide. Wiley.
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Legal Frameworks: Ensuring Compliance and Governance. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/legal-frameworks-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Accountability: Building Trust through Transparency. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/accountability-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Organizational Legitimacy: Earning & Sustaining Public Trust. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/legitimacy-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). CSR: Legal and Ethical Issues. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/csr-legal-ethical-issues-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Legal Compliance and Good Governance in Non-Profit Organizations. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-lg-fr-ens-01
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Understanding Legal Structures in Non-Profit Organizations. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-lg-fr-ens-02
Patton, M. Q. (2011). Developmental evaluation: Applying complexity concepts to enhance innovation and use. Guilford Press.
https://neyaglobal.com/journal-nonprofit/teaching-paper-glossary-of-legal-and-governance-terms-for-non-profits--building-shared-language-for-accountability-and-compliance
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September 28, 2025