How can you ensure your board is committed to long-term sustainability?

One of the most important roles of a nonprofit leader is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization. This means having a clear vision, a strategic plan, a diversified funding strategy, and a strong governance structure. But how can you make sure that your board of directors is on board with your sustainability goals and supports your efforts to achieve them? Here are some tips to help you cultivate a committed and effective board that can help your nonprofit thrive in the long term.

1 Assess your board's composition and skills

The first step to ensuring your board is committed to long-term sustainability is to evaluate the current composition and skills of your board members. Do they reflect the diversity, expertise, and perspectives of your stakeholders, community, and mission? Do they have the necessary skills and experience to provide strategic guidance, financial oversight, fundraising support, and advocacy for your organization? Do they have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities as board members? If not, you may need to recruit new board members, provide training and orientation, or revise your board policies and bylaws to align with your sustainability goals.

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Bryan Partee

Executive Leader | Certified Trainer | Youth Development Advocate
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I will say that I defer to @Sabrina Walker Hernandez as she is the Queen of Board Development, but my experience is that they might not be. I worked with 15 small communities (populations from 900 to 24,000 people). There is a mentality that "I am doing my time to make my community better" so they rotate boards to keep them flourishing. The way you ensure the board is committed to long term stability is you treat them like you have them for two years. You drive the mission into them. You train them up as much and as often as you can. You prepare for them beyond being board members, but as ambassadors.

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Sabrina Walker Hernandez, MPA

Transformative Board Facilitator for Corporate and Nonprofit Organizations | International Keynote Speaker | Driving $14M+ in Revenue & Organizational Resilience | Expert in Strategic Leadership & Governance Excellence
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Your nonprofit must identify and recruit the right people for maximum effectiveness. Here are 6 questions you can ask to analyze your current board composition: What special knowledge and skills are critical for effective governance? Are there any missing qualifications among the current board that should be considered in recruiting future board members? Do current board members make your nonprofit a top priority among their civic activities? Does your board makeup reflect elements of diversity: age, gender, ethnic and racial background? Are the current board members active in committee work and accessible for participating in fundraising activities? Does the board evaluate its own performance?

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2 Communicate your vision and plan

The second step to ensuring your board is committed to long-term sustainability is to communicate your vision and plan for the future of your organization. This means sharing your mission, values, goals, and strategies with your board and inviting their input and feedback. You should also provide regular updates on your progress, challenges, and opportunities, and highlight the impact and outcomes of your work. By communicating your vision and plan, you can inspire your board to share your passion, align their expectations, and foster a culture of trust and collaboration.

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3 Engage your board in fundraising

The third step to ensuring your board is committed to long-term sustainability is to engage your board in fundraising activities. Fundraising is not only a vital source of revenue for your organization, but also a way to demonstrate your board's commitment and leadership to your donors, partners, and community. You should involve your board in developing and implementing a fundraising plan that reflects your sustainability goals and diversifies your income streams. You should also provide your board with the tools and training they need to effectively solicit, steward, and thank donors, as well as to leverage their networks and connections.

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Sabrina Walker Hernandez, MPA

Transformative Board Facilitator for Corporate and Nonprofit Organizations | International Keynote Speaker | Driving $14M+ in Revenue & Organizational Resilience | Expert in Strategic Leadership & Governance Excellence
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Often, the biggest obstacle to board fundraising is their fear of the unknown. Many do not know how to fundraise and or understand the process. It’s the job of the Executive Director to educate the board. You can turn your board members into fundraisers by explaining to them how and why fundraising works. First, let’s acknowledge that raising money is not always about the ask. There are many roles a board member can play when participating in fundraising. They can be: Door Openers - opening the door to the eventual ask introducing the organization to those in their circle. Cultivators - building relationships with donors. Askers - accompanying staff members on face-to-face solicitations. Thankers - maintaining the relationship.

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4 Empower your board to govern

The fourth step to ensuring your board is committed to long-term sustainability is to empower your board to govern your organization. This means delegating authority and responsibility to your board committees, ensuring that they have clear mandates, agendas, and action items. It also means encouraging your board to monitor and evaluate your performance, risk management, and compliance, and to hold you and themselves accountable for the results. Additionally, it means creating opportunities for your board to learn and grow, such as through mentoring, coaching, or peer exchange.

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5 Appreciate your board's contributions

The fifth step to ensuring your board is committed to long-term sustainability is to appreciate your board's contributions and recognize their achievements. You should express your gratitude and appreciation to your board members regularly, both individually and collectively, and celebrate their successes and milestones. You should also solicit and act on their feedback, suggestions, and concerns, and show them how their input and involvement make a difference. By appreciating your board's contributions, you can boost their morale, motivation, and retention, and build a lasting relationship with them.

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Sabrina Walker Hernandez, MPA

Transformative Board Facilitator for Corporate and Nonprofit Organizations | International Keynote Speaker | Driving $14M+ in Revenue & Organizational Resilience | Expert in Strategic Leadership & Governance Excellence
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Create a plan that outlines various recognition and appreciation strategies for board members. This can include public acknowledgments at events, personalized thank-you notes, awards, and other creative expressions of gratitude. A well-designed recognition plan encourages board loyalty. Give the board some prominence – are they listed on the letterhead or on the website? Are they featured in the newsletter or on social media? Is a news release prepared when a member joins the board? Are they sworn in by a judge? Do they receive a framed board certificate they can place in their office?

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6 Renew your board's commitment

The sixth step to ensuring your board is committed to long-term sustainability is to renew your board's commitment and refresh their enthusiasm. You should review and update your board's vision, mission, and goals periodically, and ensure that they align with your organization's changing needs and environment. You should also conduct a board self-assessment and identify areas for improvement or innovation. Moreover, you should create opportunities for your board to reconnect with your mission, staff, and beneficiaries, such as through site visits, events, or testimonials. By renewing your board's commitment, you can re-energize your board and ensure that they remain passionate and supportive of your long-term sustainability.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you ensure your board is committed to long-term sustainability?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your board's composition and skills

2 Communicate your vision and plan

3 Engage your board in fundraising

4 Empower your board to govern

5 Appreciate your board's contributions

6 Renew your board's commitment

7 Here’s what else to consider

Non-profit Leadership

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How can you ensure your board is committed to long-term sustainability?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your board's composition and skills

2 Communicate your vision and plan

3 Engage your board in fundraising

4 Empower your board to govern

5 Appreciate your board's contributions

6 Renew your board's commitment

7 Here’s what else to consider

Non-profit Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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