How to Choose a Nonprofit Board of Directors

Establishing a strong board of directors is one of the most important parts of starting your nonprofit and ensuring its long-term health and viability. As a tax-exempt organization, your board is your keeper. Your board members ensure that you are staying true to your mission, that all of the funds you collect are being used for the correct purposes, that you’re following guidelines, and that you’re being a responsible organization, among other things. 

Choosing a board of directors can seem like a daunting task. But with the proper research, planning, and guidance, you’ll be on your way to building an all-star board for your nonprofit. We’ve outlined some things to help you get started with the process.

Identify Your Board’s Needs

To start a nonprofit, you generally need three board members. And the good news is, as a founder, you can be one of those first board members. As you begin, start by asking what does your nonprofit need to advance its mission in the present and in the future. Do you need a board member with financial expertise? Is it someone who has connections in the community? Or is it someone familiar with the community you are serving? Once you have identified the skills and experience your nonprofit needs, you're ready to search for and recruit board members. Before you begin to reach out to potential board members, make sure you understand what the requirements of the board are. Lay out what the time commitment is, and what you expect of each board member. 

Start With Your Own Network

Your board should be composed of people who are truly aligned with your nonprofit’s mission. These are professionals who you want to help shape your organization, assist with fundraising efforts, and get the word out about your nonprofit. It’s also important that many of your board members, if not all, are a reflection of the communities you are serving and have a true understanding of those communities. Then, it’s time to tap into your network. Some questions to consider as you begin your quest for the best board members:

1. Are you tapping into your professional and business contacts?

2. Are you a member of any professional associations?

3. Are you asking other nonprofits in your community?

4. Are you connected with local business leaders?

5. Are you familiar with major corporations and their community outreach programs?

6. Are you considering local nonprofit support organizations like your United Way chapters, or community foundations?

Start with the people in your circle, including existing volunteers, and work your way from there.

Use all the digital tools available to youi

Don’t rule out any of the digital tools available out there (especially the free ones!) as you begin your board search. Utilize boards, volunteer sites, and social media to get the word out. Add LinkedIn Board, and connect Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to your checklist. Consider all-purpose volunteer recruitment sites that can work well for board member recruitment as well. 

Build Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into your Board 

At a time when many organizations, companies, and corporations are assessing their DEI efforts, as a founder starting a nonprofit, you have the unique opportunity to build DEI into the DNA of your organization. What does diversity mean to your nonprofit? What does your board or team (even if it’s just you at this stage) currently have in terms of identity and personal and professional experiences, and how can you build on that in your board? After thoughtfully considering these questions and answering them, then you can create a thoughtful plan for building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive board. 

Provide Your Board with Resources

You may have a great candidate who is excited about your nonprofit’s mission, and wants to join your board, but isn’t sure about what it entails. Don’t be discouraged. There are plenty of resources available to help set your board members up for success. You can start small by asking your board member to help get the word out about your nonprofit. Ultimately, you want your board members to become ambassadors for your nonprofit by educating their networks about your nonprofit’s mission and impact. You can start by creating a simple one pager or short video for them so they can clearly articulate your nonprofit’s mission and goals when speaking about it. 

But don’t stop there. A well equipped board will determine the continuous success of your nonprofit. At Resilia, we have access to a multitude of resources to support your board’s education. Our courses, like Board Governance 101,  provide a step-by-step plan so you have a robust outline for your board members. And the best part is you can invite all of your board members to access Resilia’s entire platform of resources and training. 

Maintain a Pool of Potential Board Members

Board members will rotate on and off of your board throughout the lifespan of your nonprofit, so you’ll want to maintain a pool of potential candidates for your board. You will not only need to identify and recruit board members, but you will also need to establish an on-boarding and off-boarding process for your board members. 

Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Starting a Nonprofit

Your convenient and complete guide is based on years of experience helping aspiring changemakers start nonprofits.

You'll learn the fundamentals of fundraising, writing a mission statement, choosing a board of directors and so much more!