NECAC is governed by a volunteer 36-member Board of Directors and managed by a full time President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors is composed of three representatives from each of the 12 counties served. Each county is represented by a Public Elected Official Representative, one Civic Interest Representative and one Low-Income Representative.

NECAC is required to create a tripartite Board of Directors, consisting of:

• Members who either serve or work with low-income individuals, or are low-income themselves;

• Members who are elected public officials;

• Members who represent the private sector.

This organizational structure ensures local decision-making control and accountability, as well as the ability to develop programs to operate and set policy and administrative procedures to ensure the needs of the disadvantaged are met. The local board involvement also ensures granting officials and tax-payers that program goals and requirements are achieved efficiently.