7 Key Steps to Build a Strong Nonprofit Board

A strong, engaged board of directors is essential for any nonprofit’s success. The board plays a critical role in providing leadership, governance, and fundraising support. However, building an effective nonprofit board requires careful planning and intentional recruitment. Here are seven key steps to help small nonprofits build a strong, dynamic board that will support and sustain your organization’s mission.

1. Clarify Roles and Responsibilities

Before recruiting new board members, it’s essential to define the roles and responsibilities they will assume. A clear understanding of expectations ensures that board members know what they’re committing to and helps avoid misunderstandings later on.

Tip: Create a board member job description that outlines expectations regarding governance, fundraising, and meeting attendance. Specify how much time they are expected to devote and the skills or expertise you are seeking.

2. Recruit for Skills, Passion, and Diversity

When building your board, think beyond just filling seats. Recruit individuals who bring a mix of skills, experiences, and perspectives that align with your organization’s goals. Having a diverse board in terms of gender, ethnicity, age, and professional background fosters creativity, broadens your network, and better reflects the community you serve.

Tip: Identify the skills your board lacks, such as legal expertise, financial management, or marketing, and target individuals who can fill these gaps.
Passion matters: Seek individuals who are passionate about your mission. Enthusiastic board members are more likely to be actively involved and invested in your nonprofit’s success.

3. Provide Thorough Onboarding and Training

Once new members join your board, it’s important to provide them with a comprehensive onboarding process. This helps ensure they understand your nonprofit’s mission, programs, and the challenges it faces.

Tip: Create a board member handbook that includes your nonprofit’s mission, financial information, strategic plan, and meeting protocols. Hold an orientation session to walk new members through this material.
Ongoing training: Encourage board members to participate in nonprofit governance training or attend workshops to stay up-to-date on best practices.

4. Foster a Culture of Accountability

A high-functioning board is one that holds itself accountable. Establishing a system for evaluating both individual board members and the board as a whole ensures that everyone is contributing to the nonprofit’s success.

Tip: Implement an annual board assessment process to evaluate overall performance. This can include self-assessments, peer reviews, and tracking progress on goals.
Set term limits: Establishing term limits for board members ensures fresh perspectives and allows you to remove underperforming members diplomatically when needed.

5. Encourage Board Members to Fundraise

Fundraising is one of the most important duties of any nonprofit board. While many board members may not have fundraising experience, it’s essential to encourage them to contribute to fundraising efforts, either by donating themselves or helping secure donations.

Tip: Provide fundraising training and support for board members who may feel uncomfortable asking for money. Give them specific ways to help, such as hosting events, connecting with potential donors, or leveraging their professional networks.
Set fundraising expectations: Ensure that board members understand they have a responsibility to help the organization meet its fundraising goals, whether through personal donations or outreach.

6. Promote Open Communication and Collaboration

Strong communication and collaboration between the board and your staff are crucial to building a productive working relationship. Regular communication ensures that board members stay informed and engaged.

Tip: Keep board members updated on organizational progress, challenges, and opportunities through regular reports, newsletters, or informal check-ins.
Encourage collaboration: Invite board members to provide input and ideas in key areas, such as program development or strategic planning, to foster a sense of shared ownership.

7. Recognize and Appreciate Board Members

Board members often volunteer significant time and resources to support your nonprofit. Regularly recognizing their contributions and showing appreciation is essential for maintaining motivation and ensuring long-term commitment.

Tip: Publicly acknowledge the work of board members at events, in newsletters, or on social media. Personal thank-you notes, small tokens of appreciation, or recognizing milestones can go a long way in keeping board members engaged.

Conclusion

Building a strong board of directors is an ongoing process that requires careful planning, recruitment, and management. By clarifying roles, recruiting strategically, providing thorough training, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration, small nonprofits can create a high-functioning board that will lead the organization toward sustainable success. A dedicated and diverse board can be one of your greatest assets in fulfilling your nonprofit’s mission.