Board of Directors

by Cynthia M. Adams, CEO, GrantStation.com

The board of directors of a nonprofit is legally and financially responsible for the conduct of the organization. Board members are active participants in the management and development of an organization, so becoming a board member is a responsibility to be taken seriously.

In some states, there may be laws which establish a minimum sized board (in other states, new nonprofit organizations can have a board of directors consisting of one member). It’s best to review state laws concerning nonprofits to make sure you comply with the minimum requirements. As a general guide, nonprofit organizations should have at least five or more members who are related only in their commitment to the organization.

The varied talents and contacts of a board can help an organization grow, and it can help you secure funding. A good board member is one that brings unique ability and perspective to a board and takes an active interest in the organization.

How to use the board to win grant awards

Write a short bio for each board member. These bios should be short, only a paragraph at most. Here’s...