Beyond attendance: Is your board equipped for today and tomorrow?

At the Community Foundation, we regularly hear from nonprofit leaders that getting your board engaged in the right ways can be a challenge. And that’s on top of the already high bar to recruit board members in the first place! Finding—and motivating—qualified people who are passionate about your mission, willing to volunteer their time, and prepared to serve as ambassadors for the organization can feel harder than ever.

At the same time, the expectations placed on nonprofit boards continue to grow. Today's board members are not simply expected to attend meetings and vote on motions. They are expected to provide oversight, ensure financial accountability, uphold the organization's mission, support fundraising efforts, and help position the nonprofit for long-term success. 

As you evaluate your board's effectiveness, consider whether members are equipped to contribute in several key areas:

Governance and oversight

Board members should understand the organization's finances, review materials before meetings, ask thoughtful questions, and participate actively in decision-making. Good governance requires more than just showing up. It requires paying attention, and it requires genuine engagement.

Mission and strategy

Strong boards help keep the organization focused on its purpose. They understand the mission, participate in strategic planning, and help leadership navigate challenges and opportunities while remaining true to the organization's core values. Strong boards also understand the difference between board and staff roles and, accordingly, empower the staff to carry out the organization’s operations. 

Fundraising and relationship building

Not every board member needs to ask for gifts. However, every board member should be willing to help advance the organization's development efforts. Sometimes that means making a personal contribution or arranging for a legacy gift. Sometimes it means hosting an event, introducing a friend to the executive director, or helping identify prospective funders. The most successful nonprofit boards understand that fundraising is a shared responsibility. 

Community connections

Many nonprofit organizations recruit board members because of the relationships they bring to the table. A board member's network can help create introductions to major donors, family foundations, corporate partners, elected officials, and community influencers. These connections can be invaluable in expanding awareness and support for the mission.

Advocacy and ambassadorship

Board members are often among a nonprofit's most visible representatives. Their willingness to speak positively about the organization, attend events, and share the impact of its work can significantly strengthen public trust and community engagement.

Remember that an “elevator pitch” is not always the best vehicle to support board member advocacy. An elevator pitch tends to get too long, often sounds “canned,” and sometimes is developed through a lengthy process of “analysis paralysis.” Instead, encourage board members to simply speak from the heart about why they joined the board and then introduce interested people to you and your team for follow up.

Building the board your organization needs

Many nonprofits inherit board structures that were created years ago under very different circumstances. As organizations grow, it is worth periodically asking whether the board's composition aligns with current needs. Do you have members with financial expertise? Legal expertise? Fundraising experience? Community connections? Relationships with prospective donors and funders? A board composed entirely of passionate supporters may still have important gaps that need to be filled.

The good news is that intentional recruitment, orientation, and ongoing board development can help close those gaps. The goal is not simply to fill seats around a table. The goal is to build a board that can provide strong governance while also helping your organization expand its impact. 

As always, the Community Foundation is happy to serve as a sounding board as your organization evaluates board development, fundraising strategy, and long-term sustainability. Please reach out!