Making the Board: Building a Strong Board of Directors
As a new season begins, (Hello ‘bers! You can’t convince me fall doesn’t begin on September 1!) it's not just the programs, services, and end-of-year fundraising your nonprofit pursues that need attention - your board of directors also plays a vital role in the overall success and sustainability of your organization in Q4. It’s even MORE critical when your organization is planning to launch into a capital campaign or major fundraising initiative. And if a capital campaign is on your radar for 2025, now is the time to make sure you’ve got a strong board of directors ready to go. The right board can amplify your mission, provide strategic oversight, and ensure that your campaign goals are met. The wrong board (even with the best intentions and hearts for service) can generate crosswinds of distraction, eroding the strategic path you've been anticipating. But you can’t just snap your fingers and have board members appear. This takes time, collaboration, and laser focus from you and your chair. You'll emphasize recruiting the best-fit-for-this-season members and ensure you’ve picked the right people, personalities, and professions. (Accidental alliteration, but we'll takeit!) Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when building a strong board of directors.
1. Ensure Alignment with Your Mission and Vision
Before you approach potential board members, it’s crucial to confirm they align with your nonprofit’s mission and vision. A board member who is truly passionate about your cause will be more engaged and committed to your organization’s success. Ask yourself: Do they understand and support our mission? Are they genuinely interested in advancing our goals?
2. Assess Their Expertise
Each board member brings a unique set of skills and knowledge to the table. When recruiting, think about the expertise your current board might be missing. Do you need someone with experience in finance, law, marketing, or fundraising? A diverse board can offer a well-rounded perspective, helping your nonprofit tackle challenges and seize opportunities. The last thing you want to do is launch into a capital campaign and not have anyone on your board who understands the ins and outs of finance.
3. Clarify the Time Commitment
Serving on a board is a significant responsibility, and it’s important that potential members understand the time commitment involved. Be transparent about what’s expected—whether it’s attending regular meetings, serving on committees, or participating in fundraising activities. More often than not we see board meetings taking place after traditional working hours and even on the weekends. That’s a pretty serious time commitment to ask of someone. Ask candidates: Do they have the time and energy to fulfill their duties effectively?
4. Evaluate Their True Intentions
While most people join boards to make a positive impact, it’s essential to ensure that potential members have the best interests of your nonprofit at heart. Please, please do your due diligence - are there any red flags in their background? Are they joining for the right reasons? Do they have any long standing relational issues with anyone on your leadership team? Ensuring their intentions align with your mission will protect the integrity of your organization.
5. Set Expectations Early
Before inviting someone to join your board, have an open and honest conversation about their expectations and yours. Setting expectations early will ensure everyone is on the same page and there are (hopefully) no surprises. Consider asking these questions:
Why do you want to serve on our board?
What specific contributions can you make?
How do you envision your role in advancing our mission?
Are there any potential conflicts of interest?
Do you know anyone who would be a good fit for our board?
Where do you see our organization in 5 years?
Building a strong board of directors is essential for the success of any nonprofit organization. With the right team in place, your nonprofit can thrive and continue to make a meaningful impact in your community. Take the time to carefully consider who you invite to your board, and you’ll set your organization up for long-term success.
At John Sullivan Solutions, we specialize in helping nonprofits navigate these important decisions. We’d love to help you work through any questions or concerns you may have as you build or rework your board this fall.
