How Nonprofits Can Recruit Better Board Members

Whether a result of success or a symptom of stasis, nearly every nonprofit reaches a point where their current governance structures no longer serve them. Many nonprofits struggle to attract and retain board talent. When they do, new members rarely lead the organization in new directions. In our experience as nonprofit leaders and consultants, we have long wondered if there was a better, more effective way to grow and evolve board leadership.

Unsatisfied with the status quo, some nonprofits are embracing an innovative board recruitment practice: an open, competitive application process that is more akin to a public job listing than a personal reference made behind closed doors. Marketing the opportunity competitively rather than making the ask to a few, this practice dramatically reshapes the board's relationship to its organization and its mission. We call this evolving practice "open board search."