Nonprofit Board Development
Nonprofit board development is an ongoing process but managing it as an ongoing strategy can prepare you for the bumps in the road when board members leave. Whether you are scrambling for new board members now or need a plan for the future, here are some tips that I share with my clients.
Building a board comes in phases.
The characteristics of a strong board member can vary.
Asking someone to serve as a board member takes time and probably several conversations.
Review your own networks for potential board members and expand beyond that.
Loftis Partners can help with all elements of board recruitment and development, from reviewing your current board structure to building materials for recruitment to creating an onboarding process for new board members. Pricing varies based on client size and scope.
Board Recruitment: We work with you to review current board materials and strategic plans (if they exist). Then we co-create a board member overview with you to use in board recruitment conversations. Additionally, we can help you generate interview questions and even a decision rubric to use with group selection. Project options also include board policy review and board member agreement documents. $3500
Read more about board recruitment on our blog - Nonprofit Board Recruitment: It’s A Process.
Board Orientation: We work with you to review current board and strategic organizational materials to understand your process. Then we co-create an onboarding process that you implement and can be easily updated as needs arise. Additionally, we can help you with facilitation tips for memorable connections in the virtual and/or in-person space. $3500
Board DEI Journey: In our current strategic planning projects that ask for a racial equity lens, we are finding three streams of work: staff, board, and staff/board as an organization. Helping the board develop their own philosophy and practices around DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) before integrating with staff on strategic discussions can enhance the board’s capacity and decrease the incidents of harm. We offer this work in four phases:
Phase 1: Strategically Looking Inward - This includes 2 board-only sessions with Loftis Partners to develop the board’s own DEI philosophy as integrated with the organization’s overall DEI work.
Phase 2: Tactically Looking Inward - This includes a board-level DEI audit of documents and practices, five individual interviews with selected board members, and a summary report that outlines opportunities to center equity in membership requirements, onboarding, meetings, communications, information sharing, conflict resolution, and accountability.
Phase 3: Understanding Our Power - This includes 2 board-only sessions with Loftis Partners to identify the types of power present within the board and how to effectively distribute power in ways that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Phase 4: Acting on Our Commitment - This includes 2 board-only sessions with Loftis Partners to understand people-positive management practices to use with the Executive Director and determine how to sustain the DEI work going forward.
You can find Board DEI Journey pricing and more details on which boards are good candidates for this work here.
New to the nonprofit board space? You can read a primer on our blog - How to Start a Nonprofit Board.
“Sally was truly amazing to work with on this project. GNDC was providing technical assistance to help our partner organization re-establish their Board of Directors, which had not met in a long time. Sally listened deeply to their needs, explained everything in easy terms, and diligently moved the project along each week in a highly organized and professional manner. She reviewed all documents with a keen eye towards our goals, and provided exactly the right amount of guidance to keep the project moving. She made our partners feel heard and understood, and in their words, she “spoke their language.” She created a timeline, kept everyone on track, and set the organization up for future success. I could not recommend Sally more, she is compassionate, understanding, focused, and driven. We appreciate your help so much!”