Responsibilities of a Nominating Committee Explained (and Why It Matters)
If your nonprofit wants a strong board, it starts with a strong nominating committee.
This group doesn’t just suggest names. They help shape the leadership and future of your organization. From choosing the right mix of skills to ensuring diversity, they’re your secret weapon for effective governance.
In this post, we’ll walk through what nominating committees do, how to set them up for success, and ways to make the process easier (and more strategic).
What Is a Nominating Committee, Really?
Think of the nominating committee as your board’s talent scout.
It’s a small team—usually made up of board members and sometimes key volunteers—that’s responsible for:
Finding and vetting new board members
Making sure each candidate fits your mission and values
Helping keep your board diverse, balanced, and future-ready
If you’re wondering how this ties into overall board development, check out our guide on how to recruit nonprofit board members. It’s a great companion to this article.
Core Responsibilities (In Plain English)
Here’s what a great nominating committee handles:
Set criteria: What kind of skills, experience, or lived expertise does your board need? The committee helps define that.
Search smart: They tap into networks, talk to community leaders, and sometimes post openings publicly.
Vetting: Once candidates are in the mix, the committee runs interviews, reference checks, and makes recommendations.
Keep things fresh: They help evaluate current board makeup and spot gaps in experience or representation.
Plan ahead: Good nominating committees also support succession planning for board leadership roles.
It’s not just about finding people. It’s about finding the right people for where your nonprofit is headed next.
How to Structure a Nominating Committee
The committee should be small but mighty. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Keep it diverse: Bring in different backgrounds and perspectives—not just the usual suspects.
Clarify roles: Designate someone to lead, someone to handle outreach, and someone to keep things organized.
Mission first: Every decision should align with your nonprofit’s goals and values.
Pro tip: Give your committee a short charter with clear goals so everyone is aligned from the start.
Step-by-Step: The Nomination Process
Whether you’re onboarding two new board members or building out an entire pipeline, a consistent process helps.
How the nomination process typically flows:
Set your goals. Are you looking for fundraising skills? Local representation? Fresh energy?
Source candidates. Ask current board members, reach out to partner orgs, or go public with a call for nominations.
Screen thoughtfully. Use interviews, references, and a rubric to keep it fair.
Keep candidates in the loop. Clear communication goes a long way in building trust.
Debrief and improve. After each cycle, reflect: What worked? What needs tweaking?
What Makes a Great Candidate?
Your nominating committee should use a clear, flexible set of selection criteria. That might include:
Mission alignment
Relevant experience (fundraising, governance, finance, etc.)
Community insight or lived experience
Willingness to give time and energy
Strong communication and teamwork skills
You want people who care deeply, think clearly, and work well with others. Check out our board member recruitment guide for more great ideas.
Make Diversity a Priority
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be baked into every step of the nomination process—not just added at the end.
This means:
Expanding your outreach beyond your usual networks
Asking who’s missing from the table—and why
Partnering with groups that serve underrepresented communities
Making real efforts to reflect the diversity of your constituents
Boards that reflect their communities are more trusted, more creative, and more effective.
Don’t Forget About Succession Planning
Think of succession planning as future-proofing your board.
Your nominating committee can:
Spot leadership potential among current board members
Encourage mentorship and learning
Keep a pulse on who’s ready to step up
This helps avoid leadership gaps or last-minute scrambles down the road.
Use Tech to Stay Organized
Nobody has time to chase emails and spreadsheets. That’s where board management software like Easy Board comes in handy.
You can:
Store and track candidate info
Keep agendas, minutes, and decisions in one place
Run virtual meetings and assign follow-ups
Share onboarding materials easily
When your nominating committee has the right tools, the whole process runs smoother—and you get better results. Check out Easy Board if you want to save time and resources.
Common Challenges (And How to Handle Them)
Small pool of candidates? Broaden your search. Tap into local leaders, partner orgs, or your own volunteers. Ask around. Be proactive.
Too much bias? Use structured evaluations and make diversity an intentional goal.
Slow decision-making? Set a clear timeline—and stick to it.
Unclear roles? Clarify the job descriptions and expectations early on.
Running into tension or roadblocks? A short reset meeting with a third-party facilitator can work wonders.
How to Evaluate Your Committee’s Work
After each round of nominations, take 30 minutes to reflect:
Did we bring in the right people?
Were our criteria useful and up-to-date?
Did the process run smoothly?
Did we improve board diversity and capacity?
This helps the committee get sharper each year—and keeps your board strong and strategic.
Wrap-Up: Why Nominating Committees Deserve More Love
At the end of the day, a great nominating committee helps you build a board that’s smart, diverse, forward-thinking, and mission-driven.
Want to make your nominating process stronger and easier to manage? Explore our full guide to board member recruitment for even more tools and best practices.
With the right people on board—and a smart system behind the scenes—your nonprofit is better equipped to lead with impact.
