Main Streets across the network rely on the leadership, guidance, and expertise of their boards of directors to achieve their revitalization goals. Main Street board members come from diverse backgrounds, and they need a strong understanding of Main Street principles and the duties they must fulfill. 25% of Main Street leaders who responded to our 2025 Main Street Directors’ Survey said that they need training materials for their staff and board, and 17% said they want to strengthen board engagement.

To meet these needs and support Main Street leaders as they train and strengthen their boards, we are proud to announce the new Main Street America Board Handbook. Developed with insight and direct guidance from a broad cross-section of our expert staff — including program officers, coordinating programs staff, and our education and innovation teams— this handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the Main Street Approach, board member fundamentals, and Main Street policies and procedures, as well as tools, resources, and templates to set boards up for success.

Understanding Main Street

Board members can’t succeed in their roles unless they have a foundational understanding of the Main Street Approach. This section of the handbook explores the history of Main Street America and the Main Street network, helping new board members understand how their local program fits within a broader, federated structure that spans regionally and nationally. It also explains core concepts like the Four Points, market analysis, transformation strategies, and strategic implementation, so even those new to the movement can understand the ​“why” behind the work, not just the ​“what.” Board members will also learn about the resources available through their Main Street America membership and how their role connects to standard processes like Main Street America designation, positioning them to participate more confidently in the program’s planning, accountability, and long-term success. 

Board Member Fundamentals

Board members play a crucial governance role, and it is important to understand the duties, responsibilities, and ethical requirements of their positions. This section lays out the basics of governance, like board structure and composition, financial responsibilities, and executive director management, so board members understand what it truly means to govern, not just volunteer. It explains the difference between oversight, working, and hybrid boards, helping board members identify how their program is structured and what that means for how they show up.

It also dives into the purpose and function of committees, with a clear overview of committee roles, expectations, and how individual board members fit into committee work. To make this guidance practical and easy to implement, the section includes links to sample templates and tools, like example bylaws and a board member matrix designed to support broad, intentional representation on the board. It also walks through one of the most critical responsibilities a board will ever hold: hiring, supporting, and managing an executive director in a way that sets them up for long-term retention and success, especially important given the director tenure challenge across the Main Street network.

Perhaps most importantly, this section clarifies the board member’s role in financial oversight and fundraising, an area where expectations can be unclear, and one our field staff are frequently asked to provide guidance on in communities across the network.

Policies and Procedures

Main Street boards must meet certain procedural, legal, and ethical requirements. This section explains key concepts, including conflicts of interest, effective board meeting practices, documentation, confidentiality, risk management, and standards of conduct.

One of the most important parts of board governance is ensuring the organization as a whole is being properly managed and stewarded. This section outlines the core documentation and baseline policies every program needs for essential nonprofit operations, guiding organizations from grassroots to more professionalized systems and reminding mature programs of the importance of maintaining the fundamentals that are easy to lose sight of over time. It includes practical guidance on document retention, board meeting procedures, and conflict-of-interest policies to help boards remain compliant, consistent, and accountable as the program grows.

Local Program Details

A section of this handbook is also designed to be customized at the local level. Local programs can directly edit and add their own program-specific details, so the handbook becomes more than a Main Street America overview of best practices but a true working document that can be used to onboard new board and committee members in a streamlined, consistent way. This section provides space for programs to capture the information that matters most locally, including your vision and mission, transformation strategies, work plan priorities, organizational structure and volunteer roles, details about your coordinating program relationship, and more, making it easier for new leaders to get oriented quickly and stay aligned as the program evolves.

Setting Up Boards for Success

The Main Street America Board Handbook is meant to be both a starting point and a steady reference — something board members can return to as their understanding deepens and their responsibilities grow. To support continued learning, the handbook closes with additional resources, including a direct pathway into the Main Street America Academy, as well as guidance on how to stay engaged in upcoming Main Street America trainings, events, and ongoing professional development opportunities. It also includes a practical glossary of key terms and acronyms, a quick guide that every Main Street board member should have on hand when getting started and learning the language of the network.