How can I find board members for my nonprofit?
The best piece of advice for finding nonprofit board members is to look for someone who is passionate about your cause.
Start by looking at:
- Start with your dedicated and active volunteers
- Consider your donors
- Ask your current board and staff for nominations or recommendations
- Reach out to those beyond your nonprofit, like youth, or people in business or from other organizations
- Communicate the fact that you're recruiting board members through multiple channels, like your newsletter, word of mouth, and media
- Contact local organizations, like some United Way chapters and volunteer centers, that teach people how to be effective board members, then match them with nonprofits who need them
- Use board or volunteer recruitment web site
- Use the Taproot Foundation's Taproot+ interactive tool to search for candidates in your own network
Our Candid video, Steps You Can Take Immediately to Diversify Your Board and Major Donor Base, provides practical advice on building powerful relationships with diverse people who offer expertise, wealth, and influence. Watch now:
Powered by Pro Bono: The Nonprofits Step-by-Step Guide to Scoping, Securing, Managing, and Scaling Pro Bono Resources is Taproot Foundation's how-to guide for bringing capacity building resources into your nonprofit.
Beyond Cash Guide for Nonprofit Boards is a guide on how nonprofit boards can tap pro bono and in-kind resources, co-written by Taproot Foundation and BoardSource.
See also our related Knowledge Base articles:
- Where can I find or post volunteer opportunities?
- How can I learn about developing my nonprofit's board?
- Where can I find information on a board's legal duties?
- What is the board's role in fundraising?
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Staff-recommended websites
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The Chicago Network
Women Lead: An Initiative from The Chicago Network
Women Lead is a searchable database to help board members, executives, and recruiters find diverse talent for board service from The Chicago Network’s membership of 500+ women leaders.
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FormSwift
Board Member Contract
FormSwift provides an online form builder for drafting a board member contract.
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United Way of New York City
BoardServeNYC
Any registered 501(c)(3) organization located in the five boroughs of New York City is welcome to participate in this free program that matches them with board candidates who are pre-screened and have received relevant training.
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Fieldstone Alliance
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Board Café
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The Bridgespan Group
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Free Complete Toolkit for Boards
Recruiting Board Members
Part of the Free Management Library, this section lists helpful web sites and resources on the topic of board recruitment.
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Help 4 Nonprofits
Recruiting for Board Members: Process? What Process?
Outlines the process for identifying, recruiting, and initiating new board members for a nonprofit organization.
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Help 4 Nonprofits
Recruiting Your Organization's First Board
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Free Complete Toolkit for Boards
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A sample application form to be used when recruiting new board members.
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Board Matching Program
Online service that enables individuals to find nonprofit boards on which to serve, and nonprofit organizations to connect with potential board members. Formerly known as BoardnetUSA.
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AdvisoryCloud
This free service allows businesses and organizations to post advisory and board opportunities, and search and connect with candidates looking for placements. Individuals can search and apply for open advisory or board positions.
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Taproot Plus
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Provides links to national and state-specific board matching programs. Also includes a few international programs.
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Search for Jobs and Board Positions
Search by state, country, function, and subject area.
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Harbor Business Compliance
Nonprofit Governance by State
This table lists the board member requirements for nonprofit organizations in each state, including any age or residency requirements for directors, required officer positions, and minimum number of directors.