Board Development

Behind virtually every high performing nonprofit is an effective Board of Directors characterized by:

• Strategic, big picture thinking and inquiry
• Trust among members that allows for challenges to assumptions
• Members with a diversity of experience, expertise and access
• Members have addressed issues of similar scale and complexity
• Fundraising is a fundamental line of service, with the board playing a key role

While an effective board has always been important, it is especially essential in periods of economic turbulence. Board members who offer independent insights from their own experience, and provide access to external resources are critical to management when making decisions key to organizational viability. Wise heads offering counsel can make the difference between crisis as opportunity and crisis as downgrade.

Building and sustaining a high performance board requires an investment of time, the right leadership and a thoughtful strategy. It is important to align the board’s role and its members’ expectations with the nonprofit’s stage of organizational development. Without proper stewardship, tension can arise when what an organization needs from its board transcends members’ understanding of their role (“I didn’t sign on for that!”).

Fairmount Ventures' board development services include:

• Identifying and recruiting new members who bring resources, access and expertise
  
• Revitalizing the board’s structure to allow for more meaningful participation
  
• Re-engaging board members into the life of the nonprofit
  
• Preparing the board for fundraising
  
• Supporting senior management in working with the board
  
• Designing strategies to transition to a higher functioning board

    Call us and ask to talk with one of our professional staff
            members about our Board Development services
                                        215.717.2299