8 places to find your future Board members



8 places to find your future
Board members

Read time: 5 Minutes

Finding and recruiting skilled Board members is a challenge that plagues many nonprofits, and start-ups in particular.

I’m often asked:

  • “How do we know what types of skills we need on our Board?”
  • “How can we showcase our awesome organization to Board candidates?” and the big one:
  • “Where do we even LOOK for potential Board members?!”

(By the way; all things we’ll be discussing in the Changemaker Accelerator membership, launching tomorrow!! 🥳 Make sure you’re on the invite list to get my magic discount code!)

In this issue of Changemaker Mondays ☀️ ☕ 🌍, let’s talk about 8 places you might search for your next Board member!

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1. LinkedIn: A Goldmine for Skilled Professionals

LinkedIn is more than just a platform for job-seekers and recruiters; it's also an excellent place to find potential board members.

Now, LinkedIn used to have a feature where people could check a box on their profile directly indicating they were looking for a nonprofit board position. Sadly, that feature seems to have been removed, but there are still ways to utilize the platform to find people with the right skills.

  • Strategy 1: Post your Board opportunity on LinkedIn using the free job opportunity posting feature (being clear it’s for a volunteer Board position). LinkedIn shares how to do that, here
  • Strategy 2: Search for candidates with the desired skills and make a connection.

A few tips on how to do that:

  • Search for people by skill set, typing in the skill you’re looking for in the search bar (example: “Accounting”). See who you already know in your 1st degree network – you might be surprised!
  • Learn about the issues someone may be interested in by scrolling down to check out their past or current volunteer experience on their profile. If you lead a nonprofit fighting food insecurity, and someone has volunteered with a nonprofit that fights food insecurity in the past, you know there’s at least some interest there!
  • If you find someone who may be a good candidate, take care to connect with them thoughtfully, focusing on building a relationship. Board service is a big commitment – strangers are unlikely to “jump on board” (see what I did there? 😂) immediately. But LinkedIn provides this tip:
"In this personalized outreach, introduce your mission statement in terms that will resonate with your potential board member’s particular values. Then, lay out the specific ways they can help you achieve your mission, referencing the unique skills and experience that caught your eye."

2. Local Volunteer Centers and Networks

Your local volunteer center or online volunteer matching websites can be invaluable in finding board members.

If you’re not familiar with them, volunteer centers are nonprofits with a mission of recruiting volunteers for other nonprofits. Some even explicitly promote board opportunities!

Team up with a volunteer center in your city and see if you can advertise your board needs through their networks.

Not sure if there’s a center in your city? Here’s a map.

3. Local Companies

Many businesses encourage their employees to serve on nonprofit boards as a form of leadership development and community engagement.

This is awesome, because it can be a win-win: your organization gains access to skilled professionals, and the business enhances its reputation for social responsibility.

To leverage this opportunity, identify local companies that align with your mission or need the specific skills you’re seeking—like accounting firms for financial expertise or marketing agencies for branding support.

Then, reach out to their HR or community relations departments and ask if they’d be willing to share your board opportunities with their employees. Voila!

4. Board Matching Programs

These are a thing!

Think of them as like a Match.com for nonprofits and board candidates.

Board matching programs connect nonprofits with individuals looking to serve on a board based on skills, interests, and geographic location.

Oftentimes, you can post your mission and the skills you're looking for, and the program will recommend candidates who fit the bill. Some popular board matching programs operate both nationally and globally, offering a broader reach to find the perfect match for your organization.

5. Networking Events

Honestly, nothing beats face-to-face interaction.

Meet potential candidates by attending networking events hosted by your local chamber of commerce, professional organizations, or community groups. They’re often free to attend!

These gatherings are filled with skilled professionals who are often open to new opportunities for community engagement.

Remember, the key is to cultivate these relationships before asking someone to join your board—laying a foundation of trust and mutual respect. That’s the best way to ensure you’ll get a truly informed, engaged board member if they join!

6. Other Nonprofits

It might sound counterintuitive, but collaborating with other nonprofits can be a strategic way to find board members.

In my own experience, my nonprofit would often have way too many board candidates than available board spots (an awesome problem to have). That means that there were amazing people who weren’t able to join, but may still be seeking their perfect board fit.

And people often serve on more than one board too (which is fine as long as there’s no conflict of interest and each organization is getting the support it needs!).

Not to mention, partnering with other nonprofits can foster a spirit of collaboration in your local social impact ecosystem - which is always a plus. 🙂

7. Civic or Interest Groups

Look for civic or interest groups in your community that align with your mission.

These could be groups like Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs, Civitans - you’ve likely heard of these!

They could also be groups formed around an issue area that already aligns with your cause.

For example, if your nonprofit focuses on environmental conservation, a local gardening club or sustainability group could be a rich source of candidates who share your values.

8. Your Own Volunteers

Always look within.

Your volunteers are often the best candidates for board service because they already believe in your mission.

They’ve demonstrated their commitment through their volunteer work, and some may possess the very skills you need.

Why not start out by sending an email to your volunteer base outlining the skills you’re looking for and invite them to apply for board positions?

To create a pipeline of future board members, consider establishing an advisory board that allows volunteers to get more involved and learn about your nonprofit’s inner workings.

What’s been your experience with board recruitment? I'd love to hear your thoughts and any creative strategies you've used in your own nonprofit journey!

Are you working on starting or growing your nonprofit?

My new Changemaker Accelerator Membership might be a good fit for you.

I want to get you from struggling to unstuck in starting or building your nonprofit or social enterprise. The Accelerator membership is the solution I wish I had when I was first starting out.

We’ll tap into the strategies I shared in this newsletter, and a lot more. And we’ll do it alongside fellow changemakers sharing other lessons learned and cheering each other on along the way.

It's already going to be super affordable at just $15 / month (I know what it's like in #nonprofitworld, believe me), but I'm welcoming those on our waitlist with a little extra discount to get this party started right. 🥰

October 15 is launch day (oh wait, that's tomorrow!)!

We'll have limited enrollment so I can provide the best experience possible to our new members, so don't wait too long if you're interested in joining!

Resource Roundup

💲

Funding Opportunities

  • Ongoing: Local Pizza Huts in the USA provide small grants to nonprofit organizations, in addition to sponsorships, in-kind donations, and volunteer support. For more information, contact your local Pizza Hut office.
  • Due by October 30: The Quadratec Cares 'Energize The Environment' Grant Program provides small grants ($3,500) to nonprofits, community groups, and individuals throughout the country doing projects designed to benefit the environment.
  • Due by October 31: The Lawrence Foundation provides grants (ranging $5,000-$10,000) to nonprofits tackling environmental issues, human services, and other issues.

📅

Events & Programs

  • October 15: Changemaker Accelerator membership launch day!
  • October 24 (12 PM ET | 9 AM PT): How to Create a Donation Page that Converts
    Did you know? Nonprofit donation pages are abandoned by potential supporters up to 70% of the time!
    In this webinar and Q&A, we’ll tackle questions like:
    Current trends in online giving and why they matter to your nonprofit

    The traits of top-performing nonprofit donation pages
    How to create a user experience that increases a donor’s likelihood of making a gift
    REGISTER HERE

Enjoy this week's newsletter? You might find this video helpful, too.

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Hey, Changemaker!

I'm Amber, writer of the Changemaker Mondays newsletter! I'm a nonprofit founder, speaker, and social entrepreneur on a mission to equip you with the tools you need to create positive change where ever you live -- whether you're starting a nonprofit or socially-conscious business, looking for a social impact job, or leading a volunteer project in your city. Don't hesitate to connect (socials below), or reply to this email if you ever have any feedback on how we can make Changemaker Mondays the best newsletter for supporting changemakers in the world!

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Amber Melanie Smith

I am on a mission to equip nonprofit and social impact changemakers with the tools and resources to grow their impacts. Join me and over 65,000 changemakers on my social impact-focused YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/ambermelaniesmith!

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