According to the National Council for Nonprofits, “Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.” Yet, 2024 surveys across the sector tell a conflicting tale. There are more nonprofits this year than last year, and 71% of them report an increase in demand for their services; but 68% of them plan to cut programs over the next two years, and 42% report insufficient resources and funding. The number of new donors has fallen by over 18% and about 1/3 of nonprofits operating today will likely shutter their doors within ten years.

If sustainability and resources are the principle responsibilities of boards, ours aren’t getting it done; and board recruitment – how we bring members to the table – is likely a contributor to this ineffectiveness.

The good news is there’s a different way.