A non-profit is guided by its board of directors. This group of volunteers is legally and ethically responsible for the health and success of the organization. A strong, active board can be a non-profit’s superpower, providing wise counsel, opening doors, and helping to raise money. A weak or disengaged board, on the other hand, can hold an organization back. This is why non-profit board development is one of the most important jobs for any non-profit leader.

Board development is the ongoing process of building a smart, passionate, and effective group of leaders to guide your mission. It is more than just finding people to fill seats at a meeting. It is about carefully choosing the right people, giving them the tools they need to succeed, and keeping them excited about the work. This guide will give you 7 clear strategies to build a board that is a true asset to your organization, from the moment you are starting a non-profit to years down the road.

Strategy 1: Be Strategic About Recruitment

Building a great board starts with finding the right people. You should not just ask your friends or people who are “nice.” You need to be strategic. The goal is to build a board with a diverse mix of skills, experiences, and perspectives that your organization needs to succeed.

Create a Board Matrix

A board matrix is a simple chart that helps you see the skills you have on your board and the skills you are missing. List your current board members down one side. Across the top, list the key skills and attributes your non-profit needs. These might include:

• Finance / Accounting
• Law
• Marketing / Public Relations
• Fundraising
• Community Connections
• Experience with the population you serve

Put a checkmark next to each board member’s area of expertise. This chart will quickly show you where you have gaps. If you see that no one on your board has legal experience, that tells you exactly what you should be looking for in your next board member.

Always Be Recruiting

Recruiting new board members should be an ongoing process, not something you only do when a term is about to expire. Keep a running list of potential candidates. When you meet someone in the community who is passionate about your cause and has a skill you need, add them to your list. This way, you will always have a pool of great people to consider.

Strategy 2: Create a Strong Onboarding Process

A new board member’s first few months are very important. A good onboarding process makes them feel welcome, prepared, and ready to contribute. A bad one can leave them feeling confused and disconnected.

Strategy 3: Run Effective and Engaging Board Meetings

Boring, unproductive board meetings are one of the biggest reasons why board members lose interest. Your meetings should be focused, strategic, and respectful of everyone’s time. They should be a place for important conversations, not just for listening to long reports.

Strategy 4: Clearly Define Roles and Responsibilities

Confusion about what is expected of them is a major source of frustration for board members. Every board member should have a clear, written job description that outlines their responsibilities. It is also important to be clear about the difference between the board’s job and the staff’s job. A simple way to think about it is: “The board governs, and the staff manages.” The board focuses on the big picture—the mission, the strategy, and the financial health. The staff handles the day-to-day work of running the programs.

Strategy 5: Engage Every Board Member in Fundraising

Fundraising is one of the most important jobs of a non-profit board. Every single board member has a role to play in helping the organization raise money. However, not everyone is comfortable asking for money, and that is okay. There are many ways for board members to be involved.

The most important part is that every board member makes a personal financial donation to the organization every year. This shows 100% board participation, which is a powerful signal to foundations and other donors. Beyond that, board members can help by:

• Identifying potential new donors from their networks.
• Making introduction calls to potential supporters.
• Joining a staff member on a visit to a donor.
• Making thank-you calls to donors.

By providing many ways to help, you can make every board member a valuable part of your fundraising team, especially for your major gift fundraising efforts.

Strategy 6: Provide Ongoing Education and Training

Being a great board member requires learning. Your organization and the community you serve are always changing. Providing ongoing education for your board helps them stay informed and effective. You can do this by:

• Inviting a guest speaker to a board meeting to talk about a key issue.
• Sending board members interesting articles about trends in the non-profit sector.
• Paying for a board member to attend a workshop or conference on non-profit governance.

An investment in your board’s education is an investment in your organization’s future.

Strategy 7: Regularly Evaluate Your Board’s Performance

A good board is always looking for ways to improve. It is a healthy practice to do a board self-assessment every year or two. This is a simple, anonymous survey where board members can give honest feedback on how the board is doing. It can ask questions like:

• Are our meetings a good use of time?
• Do we have the right mix of skills on the board?
• Does everyone understand their role in fundraising?

The results of this survey can help you identify areas for improvement and set goals for the coming year. It helps a good board become a great one.

Your board of directors is your organization’s most important team. Building that team is one of the most important jobs you have as a non-profit leader.

Conclusion: A Partnership for Impact

A strong, engaged, and strategic board of directors is a powerful force for good. They are your partners, your advisors, and your biggest champions. Building that board does not happen by accident. It is the result of a thoughtful, ongoing process of recruitment, training, and engagement. By using these 7 strategies, you can build a board that is not just a governing body, but a vibrant community of leaders who are deeply committed to your mission and ready to help you change the world.