Strategies for Effective Nonprofit Board Member Recruitment
Finding the right nonprofit board members is more than just filling empty seats. It’s about bringing in people who believe in your mission, bring valuable experience, and are ready to help your organization grow.
When done right, nonprofit board member recruitment can supercharge your impact, improve decision-making, and create a board that works well together.
Let’s walk through smart, practical steps you can take to recruit nonprofit board members—without burning yourself out in the process.
1. Know What Your Board Needs Right Now
Before you even start searching for new board members, take a good look at your current team. Ask yourself:
What strengths do we already have?
Where are the gaps?
What’s missing for us to achieve our goals?
This is called a board skills assessment or skills audit, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a simple spreadsheet listing current members’ strengths (finance, fundraising, legal, etc.) can show where you’re covered—and where you’re not.
Make sure you also consider your strategic goals. If you're planning a capital campaign, you may want someone with fundraising or grant writing experience. If you’re going through a tech upgrade, someone with IT or cybersecurity skills might be a better fit.
By understanding your gaps, you’ll avoid wasting time interviewing people who aren’t right for your needs.
2. Define What the “Right” Board Member Looks Like
Once you’ve mapped your needs, it’s time to define your ideal candidate.
This doesn’t mean looking for a perfect person—it means thinking clearly about what qualities will help your board function better and move your mission forward.
Here are some common traits to consider:
A strong connection to your mission
Willingness to give time and energy
Fundraising or financial knowledge
Leadership or strategic thinking skills
Experience in the nonprofit space
Also think about soft skills like collaboration, communication, and creativity. These often matter just as much as expertise.
Keep this profile flexible—your needs will change as your nonprofit grows. A good board evolves over time.
3. Write Role Descriptions That Attract the Right People
Board member job descriptions are one of the best tools for successful recruitment. They help potential members understand:
What they’re signing up for
What your expectations are
Whether they’re a good fit
Include things like:
Time commitment (e.g. monthly meetings, annual retreats)
Key responsibilities
Any fundraising expectations
Required or preferred skills
Be honest, but also inspiring. Show people why your mission matters and how they can make a real difference.
Pro tip: Use your board management software—like Easy Board—to organize and share board member materials and expectations. This adds professionalism and clarity to the process.
4. Create a Simple Board Recruitment Plan
You don’t need a 20-page strategy, but you do need a basic plan.
Your board recruitment plan should include:
Your goals (How many people? What skills?)
A timeline (When will you start outreach? When do you want them onboard?)
Who’s responsible (Is your Governance Committee leading? Will the whole board help?)
Break the process into clear stages:
Assess needs
Draft/update role descriptions
Source candidates
Interview and select
Onboard and support
Having a plan keeps your recruitment on track—and saves a ton of stress later.
5. Use Your Networks to Find Amazing Candidates
Some of the best nonprofit board members are already in your circle—you just need to ask.
Encourage your current board, staff, and supporters to think about:
Friends or coworkers who support your mission
Colleagues from past jobs or volunteer roles
Local leaders or experts in your focus area
Also consider tapping into:
LinkedIn and local community groups
Industry-specific associations
Alumni networks
Volunteer pools
Keep diversity top of mind—different backgrounds bring different perspectives and strengthen your board.
6. Make Diversity, Equity & Inclusion a Priority
Diversity in nonprofit board recruitment isn’t a trend—it’s a must. Boards that include a variety of ages, races, genders, lived experiences, and professions are more effective and more trusted by the communities they serve.
Here’s how to build “DEI” into your recruitment:
Use inclusive and inviting language in your role descriptions
Partner with groups that serve underrepresented communities
Be intentional about who you’re inviting to join
Address bias in your selection process, keep an open mind
Having a more diverse board helps your organization grow, innovate, and respond to challenges with greater empathy and insight.
7. Embrace Tech to Make Recruitment Easier
Recruiting board members can involve a lot of communication, tracking, and follow-up. Luckily, tech tools can help lighten the load.
Here are a few ways to use tech in board recruitment:
Use a CRM to manage your candidate list and keep notes
Post roles on platforms like LinkedIn, VolunteerMatch, or BoardnetUSA
Schedule interviews and onboarding tasks using tools like Calendly or Trello
Board management software like Easy Board also helps you organize all your materials—from onboarding packets to meeting schedules—in one easy-to-use place. It’s perfect for keeping your recruitment process polished and professional.
8. Let Your Current Board Help Lead the Way
Your existing board members are a goldmine for recruitment support. They know your mission, understand the culture, and have valuable networks.
Here’s how to get them involved:
Ask each member to recommend 1–2 potential candidates
Have them join interview or welcome calls
Let them share their own experience as a board member
When your current board is excited and engaged, it shows. That energy will inspire new candidates and make them more likely to say “yes.”
9. Use a Clear, Fair Interview Process
Interviews help you get beyond resumes and see if a person really fits. Don’t just wing it—build a process that works.
Some tips:
Ask everyone the same core questions
Focus on both skill and mission alignment
Include current board members in interviews (ideally in pairs)
Look for enthusiasm, commitment, and curiosity
Always follow up with references—and trust your gut. If someone doesn’t feel like a fit, it’s OK to keep looking.
10. Onboard New Board Members Like a Pro
Starting strong makes all the difference.
A good onboarding process helps new board members feel prepared and confident. It also shows that your nonprofit values professionalism.
What to include:
A welcome packet with key documents and org background
A 1-on-1 call with your board chair or ED
A buddy or mentor for the first few months
Early chances to get involved in projects or committees
If you use Easy Board, you can easily give new members access to meeting materials, past decisions, and upcoming events—all in one place.
11. Build a Culture of Engagement and Accountability
A great board isn’t just made of great people—it’s made of engaged people.
To keep your board active and energized:
Set clear goals and expectations
Celebrate wins—big and small
Make time for relationship building
Hold each other accountable with kindness and clarity
Encourage regular feedback and give people opportunities to lead. When board members feel valued and heard, they’ll show up and do their best work.
12. Keep Improving Your Recruitment Strategy
Your board—and your organization—will keep changing. That’s why it’s smart to review your recruitment strategy at least once a year.
Ask:
What worked well this time?
Where did we struggle?
Did we meet our diversity and skills goals?
What should we change next time?
Get feedback from both new and existing board members. Update your plan and materials regularly so you're always ready for the next recruitment cycle.
Conclusion: Build a Board That Builds Your Mission
Strong board recruitment helps your nonprofit grow with purpose. It gives you the leadership support you need to face new challenges, take on big goals, and stay true to your mission.
By staying intentional, inclusive, and organized (with help from tools like Easy Board), you can bring the right people into the room—and keep them excited to serve.
The best time to build a better board is now. Start simple, stay focused, and keep your mission front and center. The results will speak for themselves.
Want More Tools to Help Your Board Thrive?
If you're looking for an easy way to manage meetings, onboard new members, and keep your board organized, check out Easy Board. It's the all-in-one board management software built for nonprofits that want to save time and focus on what matters most—your mission.
