An effective nonprofit is as strong as its board members.
But what does it take to attract and retain top talent?
Nonprofits from around the globe spend thousands of hours building and managing results-driven board member recruiting strategies. However, for many board administrators, recruiting the right talent is easier said than done. From conducting board assessments to managing board succession planning, it’s a lot to take in.
Learn 5 impactful strategies on how to recruit the right nonprofit board members for your organization.
What is Nonprofit Board Member Recruiting?
Nonprofit board member recruiting is the process of actively identifying, evaluating, and securing qualified individuals to serve on a nonprofit’s board of directors. It involves targeting candidates whose skills, experience, and networks align with the organization’s mission, then engaging them through outreach, interviews, and onboarding to ensure they can contribute effectively to governance and strategic direction.
Here’s a practical, handy guide you can reference as you build your own nonprofit board member recruiting plan:
Category | Details |
Purpose | Strengthen governance and oversight; expand fundraising networks; bring strategic and community insight into the organization. |
Recruitment Process | 1. Assess board composition and gaps. 2. Define ideal candidate profile (skills, mission, fit). 3. Identify and approach candidates. 4. Evaluate and nominate. 5. Elect and onboard. |
Key Roles Involved | Board chair; nominating/governance committee; executive director/CEO; existing board members. |
Ideal Candidate Traits | Passion for the mission; fundraising capacity or connections; leadership or professional expertise (legal, finance, etc.); time and willingness to serve. |
Evaluation Methods | Interview and reference checks; use a board matrix to identify fit; review of commitment to nonprofit mission and responsibilities. |
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Nonprofit Board Member Recruiting Strategies
Now that you know how to form a recruiting plan, here are some best practices to put these plans into action.
1. Start With a Board Skills Matrix
A board matrix is a visual representation that maps skill, experience, and other attributes against the needs of the organization. This helps to identify existing gaps on your board.
2. Recruit Year-Round, Not Just When Seats Open
When seats become vacant, it’s important to have access to a talent pool to fill vacancies promptly.
Year-round recruiting can come in the form of board succession planning. This type of planning identifies and develops future leaders so they can move seamlessly into positions when planned or unplanned vacancies occur. Building and maintaining relationships with potential candidates who aren’t actively seeking opportunities but might consider a future board position is also a method of year-round recruiting.
3. Prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Lived Experience
Prioritize board diversity, equity, and lived experience to strengthen decision-making and drive innovation through broader perspectives. Recruit board members who reflect the community you serve to build stronger ties and trust. A diverse board can also expand your organization’s network, opening doors to new opportunities and resources.
4. Use Clear, Compelling Role Descriptions
Define board members’ roles, responsibilities, and expectations clearly so they can perform effectively.
5. Make Onboarding and Engagement Part of Recruiting
Integrate onboarding and engagement into your recruitment process to retain board members and reduce the time and cost of continual recruiting. Welcome new members warmly, keep them informed, and encourage their active participation from the start.
Introducing OnBoard AI
OnBoard AI is designed to streamline board governance by offering a complete suite of AI-enabled tools that enhance every phase of the board meeting process.
There are several benefits of using our software’s AI-backed features:
- Improved Efficiency and Productivity: AI tools handle routine tasks, analyze data, and summarize information, saving users time and allowing them to focus on priorities.
- Data-Driven Insights: AI tools process and analyze vast amounts of data to provide insights and identify trends that may go unnoticed by human analysis.
- Consistency and Accuracy: AI tools ensure that information presented is accurate and consistent, reducing the risk of human error.
- Quick Access to Information: AI tools can quickly retrieve relevant documents and data points, making information more accessible when needed.
Streamline Nonprofit Board Member Recruiting With OnBoard
Streamline your nonprofit board processes to save time, cut costs, and improve outcomes — and make board member recruiting a top priority alongside decision-making and fundraising. Treat the candidate recruitment process as seriously as any other board function.
When you hold board meetings to discuss, nominate, and select candidates, use an automated board meeting agenda builder to organize all key information in one place. Include each candidate’s education, experience, interview notes, and the roles they could fill. You can also prepare and store board member interview questions to guide your evaluation process.
OnBoard makes this easy with tools like an AI Book that stores agendas, meeting minutes, and supporting documents, such as resumes and reference checks, in one secure, accessible location.
Discover how OnBoard can streamline every board process, from decision-making and fundraising to governance and candidate recruitment. Submit a Trial Request today and start making your board operations more efficient.
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About The Author
- Gina Guy is an implementation consultant who specializes in working with nonprofit organizations get the most from their board meetings. She loves helping customers ease their workloads through their use of OnBoard. A Purdue University graduate, Gina enjoys refinishing furniture, running, kayaking, and traveling in her spare time. She lives in Monticello, Indiana, with her husband.
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