How to join a nonprofit board

Joining a nonprofit as a board member can be an extremely meaningful way to use your skills and expertise for good. Nonprofit board members help their organization’s pursue their mission more strategically and strengthen their impact on the communities they serve. Of course, board positions come with a fair amount of responsibility, but if you find the right role, they can be extremely rewarding.

If you’re wondering how to join a nonprofit board, there are a few steps to follow:

Understand the expectations

Board positions can be time consuming and demanding. Before you commit to anything, make sure you understand the role and responsibilities of being a board member. You shouldn’t pursue a position if you aren’t ready and able to commit to the time and energy required to do the job justice.

Determine your unique value

What is your past experience? What unique skills or expertise could you bring to the table? Do you have a unique perspective or connection to a community? Take some time to reflect on your past experience and figure out what unique assets you could bring to your role as a board member. If you’re not sure you have value to add, you may need to take some time to get more experience before joining a board.

Find an organization you want to work with

While some people find board positions by casting a wide net, it isn’t always your best strategy. If you’re going to serve on a nonprofit’s board, you want to be personally aligned with its mission and purpose. Think about what issues interest or resonate with you. Are you passionate about the arts, health, homelessness, education, politics, or the environment? Your choices are endless, so look for an area you feel wholly committed to making a difference in.

Do your research

Once you’ve found an organization that aligns with what you’re looking for, do your due diligence. Read through their website, research their recent initiatives, and learn as much as you can about their past work. The goal is to gather as much information about what they do, then think about how you could make a meaningful impact by working with them.

Reach out

Once you feel confident about your interest in a particular nonprofit, reach out and let them know! Send an email to their executive leadership or one of their board members and indicate your interest in joining their board. Briefly explain why you’re interested in the role and ask if they’re willing to meet with you to discuss the possibility.

Make yourself stand out

As you prep for your meeting, make sure you can speak specifically to why you’re interested in the role and what you hope to contribute. If you want to leave a mark as a new board member, think about what initiatives you want to champion. Maybe you have an idea for a new way the nonprofit can serve the community. Or maybe you want to improve the way the board itself operates by modernizing operations. Whatever it is, be specific and help paint the picture.

Ask the hard questions

Joining a nonprofit board requires buy-in from both sides. If there are any grey areas or concerns lingering after your initial research or early conversations, ask for clarification. Are you clear on what type of engagement they expect from board members? Do you know if they’ll want you to participate in fundraising or even make a personal donation? Do you have a solid understanding of their goals, needs, and challenges? Its worth it to take a little extra time up front to make sure your expectations are aligned.