Hint: It May Be Your Board of Directors!, Part 2.

Hey Nonprofit Leader, What’s Keeping You Awake at Night?

This is the second in a series of posts about nonprofit boards—how to recruit the right members, their roles and responsibilities, and, yes, how to evaluate their effectiveness. Because let’s be honest—an engaged, informed board can be a dream, while an uninformed, uninvested board? Well, that’s the stuff of nonprofit nightmares.

One of the top questions nonprofit leaders ask me is: Where do I find good board members? You know, the ones who actually show up prepared, bring their wallets and their friends to fundraisers, and—dare I say it—read financial reports without glazing over?

It sounds like a reasonable ask, right? And yet, we all know finding the right board members is an Olympic-level balancing act. You need people who are passionate but also understand their role (Ahem, boundaries! No, the board does not need to approve your office supply order).

Start with Your Donors—They Already Care

Before you start cold-calling community leaders like a nonprofit telemarketer, take a look at your donor list. These folks already believe in your mission enough to open their wallets. Now, don’t go offering a board seat to the biggest donor just because they wrote a hefty check—that’s like proposing on the first date. Instead, build relationships:

✅ Call them just to say thanks.

✅ Invite them for a tour.

✅ Grab a coffee together (bonus points if a board member joins you).

Over time, you’ll see if they’re truly a good fit or just in it for the tax write-off.

Consider Former Clients—Lived Experience = Wisdom

Not every board member needs to be a deep-pocketed philanthropist. Some of the most valuable voices come from those who’ve actually benefited from your services. They may not bring financial capital, but they bring something just as valuable—insight. When it comes to program development or service expansion, who better to offer input than someone who’s lived it?

Think Beyond the Usual Suspects

Yes, we all love a good banker, lawyer, or accountant (cue every nonprofit board ever). But what about entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, or social workers? These people bring business savvy, problem-solving skills, and community connections that can be just as valuable—sometimes even more so—than financial acumen.

Do a Board Checkup—Who’s Missing?

If you haven’t already, take a hard look at your board’s composition. Consider:

🔹 Demographics – Age, gender, ethnicity. (Diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it prevents groupthink.)

🔹 Skill Sets – Who do you have? Who do you need?

🔹 The Three W’s – Do you have enough Wealth, Wisdom, and Work? (If you’re heavy on one and lacking the others, it’s time to rebalance.)

If you’re unsure, I have just the tool—a Board Profile Grid—to help you figure it out. Hit me up if you want a copy.

The X-Factor: Are They a Team Player?

Finally, here’s one trait that trumps all the others: Can they work as part of a team?

A great board speaks with one voice—even if individual members don’t always agree. Nothing derails an organization faster than a rogue board member on a personal crusade (cue every nonprofit leader’s worst nightmare).

The Bottom Line

Building the right board takes patience, strategy, and a little bit of matchmaking. But when you get it right? That’s when the magic happens—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll start sleeping a little better at night.

So, what’s your biggest board challenge? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your stories!