Equipping Your Board to Meet the Moment
We are living in a period of uncertainty and crisis for the nonprofit sector. In times like these, people look to leadership to offer reassurance, stability, and direction. A strong board can make all the difference in how an organization rises to and meets such moments—and how it continues to show up and do the valuable work of social change. In our extensive work with boards, we have come to recognize that boards are often not equipped with the necessary training and expertise to effectively do their jobs in times of stability—let alone in times of crisis. Today we offer three strategies for boards to employ: 1) Support the Executive Director; 2) Create Actionable Strategy; and 3) Remain Aware and Stay Informed.
Support the Executive Director
Executive Directors are holding so much right now. They are trying to keep programs running, make payroll, support staff, and preserve organizations, all while navigating attacks on community, themselves, and organizational funding. An effective board should ensure that it is doing all it can to support leaders in this moment. This support could be thought partnership, release or reallocation of additional financial resources, mental health supports, or responsibility reallocations.
Create Actionable Strategy
An effective strategic plan is essential to an organization fulfilling its mission. It gives staff a road map for how they show up for and engage with their community. This plan must be actionable and rooted in the values of their organization. Accordingly, If your current plan is no longer serving your organization because it is outdated or no longer relevant given the current climate, the board and senior leadership should make time to revisit the strategy to create an actionable roadmap for the future—even if that simply means creating an action plan for the year ahead. This plan should be firmly rooted in what your organization does best while considering the current climate for funding, your geography, and the needs of your constituents.
Remain Aware and Stay Informed
The legal landscape is constantly evolving—particularly for the nonprofit sector. Boards need to be aware of any changes to ensure that organizations are in compliance, or they should seek legal counsel if choosing non-compliance.
Previously stable funding streams are no longer reliable. The elimination of federal funding has left organizations in competition for relatively the same number of foundation dollars. Anecdotally, we have also seen some organizations struggle to raise the same number of dollars from their historically strong donor base. Board members should strive to be aware of how organizations have been impacted and should offer support in planning for the financial future.
Board members should be aware of and actively engaged in their roles as leaders for their nonprofit organizations. Together we can meet this moment—but it will take each of us doing our part to ensure that our sector remains intact for our communities.
