Learning to Launch: Joining a Nonprofit Board

January 22, 2019
Laura Salibello provides tips for how to join a nonprofit board.
Subscribe

Define Your Interests and Commitment Level

Research nonprofits that align with your mission and interests. Find out what programs are successful, where there are areas of opportunity and what the organization wants to focus on over the next few years. Ask how often the board meets and what is expected of each board member from a time and monetary commitment. Then, ask yourself if those commitments are in line with your availability and budget. If there is a financial giving expectation, this commitment will typically be considered a charitable donation, and therefore a tax deduction. Seriously consider your availability to commit your time and resources to the organization so you can manage expectations appropriately without overcommitting. It is often the case that time is more valued than financial resources.

Create Your Personal Sales Strategy

Identify and clearly communicate your strengths. Boards are looking for members with specific skill sets – it may be technology, financial analysis or marketing, for example. Know what you can contribute, and as you talk to executives about opportunities, make sure you can communicate how your skills would be helpful to the nonprofit. The process of getting on a board is as much about how you sell yourself as the skills that you bring.

Raise Your Profile by Positioning Yourself as an Expert Publicly

Take advantage of opportunities to get your voice heard by writing or public speaking. Boards are looking for someone with a unique perspective – someone who can help them overcome challenges. Authoring articles and speaking at events are great ways to increase your name recognition and personal brand and be seen as a subject matter expert.

Network

Building a network is critical in all aspects of your professional and personal life. If you do not know where to begin, an easy place is with college alumni groups in your area, industry conferences and local organizations. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with old friends and colleagues as well as new ones. You can use LinkedIn to identify members of a nonprofit board you may be interested in and see if you have any mutual connections. If you can, meet with multiple members of the organization, from board members to program administrators, to find out about their experiences. Not only will you be demonstrating your interest in the organization, but you will be learning more about it and expanding your network.

Be Authentic

To come full circle and refer back to the first tip, you want to find a nonprofit where you feel aligned with the mission. If you feel passionate about the organization, being authentic will come easily. Find an organization and a board where there is a cultural fit. Be yourself, and enjoy what you do.

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”) may be used to reference the company as a whole and/or its various subsidiaries generally. This material and any products or services may be issued or provided in multiple jurisdictions by duly authorized and regulated subsidiaries. This material is for general information and reference purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice and is not intended as an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy securities, services or investment products. Any reference to tax matters is not intended to be used, and may not be used, for purposes of avoiding penalties under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, or other applicable tax regimes, or for promotion, marketing or recommendation to third parties. All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed, and reliance should not be placed on the information presented. This material may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted, or any of the content disclosed to third parties, without the permission of BBH. All trademarks and service marks included are the property of BBH or their respective owners. © Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 2022. All rights reserved. PB-05770-2022-09-29

As of June 15, 2022 Internet Explorer 11 is not supported by BBH.com.

Important Information for Non-U.S. Residents

You are required to read the following important information, which, in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions, governs your use of this website. Your use of this website and its contents constitute your acceptance of this information and those Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with this information and the Terms and Conditions, you should immediately cease use of this website. The contents of this website have not been prepared for the benefit of investors outside of the United States. This website is not intended as a solicitation of the purchase or sale of any security or other financial instrument or any investment management services for any investor who resides in a jurisdiction other than the United States1. As a general matter, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. and its subsidiaries (“BBH”) is not licensed or registered to solicit prospective investors and offer investment advisory services in jurisdictions outside of the United States. The information on this website is not intended to be distributed to, directed at or used by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation. Persons in respect of whom such prohibitions apply must not access the website.  Under certain circumstances, BBH may provide services to investors located outside of the United States in accordance with applicable law. The conditions under which such services may be provided will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis by BBH. BBH will only accept investors from such jurisdictions or countries where it has made a determination that such an arrangement or relationship is permissible under the laws of that jurisdiction or country. The existence of this website is not intended to be a substitute for the type of analysis described above and is not intended as a solicitation of or recommendation to any prospective investor, including those located outside of the United States. Certain BBH products or services may not be available in certain jurisdictions. By choosing to access this website from any location other than the United States, you accept full responsibility for compliance with all local laws. The website contains content that has been obtained from sources that BBH believes to be reliable as of the date presented; however, BBH cannot guarantee the accuracy of such content, assure its completeness, or warrant that such information will not be changed. The content contained herein is current as of the date of issuance and is subject to change without notice. The website’s content does not constitute investment advice and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. There is no guarantee that any investment objectives, expectations, targets described in this website or the  performance or profitability of any investment will be achieved. You understand that investing in securities and other financial instruments involves risks that may affect the value of the securities and may result in losses, including the potential loss of the principal invested, and you assume and are able to bear all such risks.  In no event shall BBH or any other affiliated party be liable for any direct, incidental, special, consequential, indirect, lost profits, loss of business or data, or punitive damages arising out of your use of this website. By clicking accept, you confirm that you accept  to the above Important Information along with Terms and Conditions.

 
1BBH sponsors UCITS Funds registered in Luxembourg, in certain jurisdictions. For information on those funds, please see bbhluxembourgfunds.com



captcha image ↻

Type in the word seen on the picture

I am a current investor in another jurisdiction

1 of 2

2 of 2