What EVERY Nonprofit Board Needs to Be Doing Right NOW!

Lately I’ve spoken to a lot of people who want to turn off the news and bury their heads in the sand. Unfortunately, if you serve on a nonprofit board, you don’t have that luxury.

Whether you’re involved in the arts, healthcare, the environment, human services, or what have you, the fiscal and policy actions emanating from the Trump administration are coming for your organization (if they haven’t already landed).

And if you think you’re exempt because your nonprofit doesn’t have federal funds, think again. The trickle-down impact from federal to state to local government is akin to torrential rain on a muddy hilltop.  

Serving on a board is more than showing up to meetings and nodding politely.

Now more than ever, you need to:        

1. Be a True Partner to your Chief Exec. (i.e., the Executive Director or CEO) A great board-Exec relationship isn’t just about reviewing reports and giving a thumbs-up—it’s a dynamic partnership. Boards should be a source of wisdom, strategy, and (sometimes) tough love. That means asking hard questions, providing real support, and being present when leadership needs backup. If you don’t think your exec has been feeling stressed lately, you’ve been hiding under a rock.     

2. Step Up as Advocates Boards have a duty to amplify their organization’s mission. That means engaging in advocacy—whether that’s making the case to lawmakers, rallying community support, or convincing your cousin Sal to donate. Advocacy isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s for every board member who cares about making a difference.
   

   Be vocal, be visible, and push for the resources your nonprofit needs.
   

3. Help Make Strategic Financial Decisions The financial landscape right now is about as predictable as Trump’s tariff policies. That’s why the board’s role in financial oversight isn’t just about reviewing balance sheets; it’s about being a strategic partner in navigating rough waters. Exec’s are facing tough decisions—cutting costs, laying off staff, finding new revenue streams, and making sure the organization stays afloat without losing sight of the mission. Board members need to make sure the exec isn’t facing any of these decisions alone. They need to dig into the financials, offer guidance, and help leadership think through contingency plans.
   

   If your organization is lucky enough to have an endowment or healthy reserves, now is the time to consider dipping into your rainy-day fund.
   

   And, if you have the personal means to contribute, step-up and encourage others to do the same.
   

4. Be Open to Change

   Boards that resist change risk holding their organizations back. Whether it’s exploring partnerships with other organizations, new fundraising ideas, leveraging technology, or rethinking how or what services are delivered, adaptability is key. Encourage new ideas, question outdated practices, and embrace the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit work.
   

5. Take Stock of Who is Missing If you look around the room and see empty seats at the table, it’s time to make some calls – calls to folks who haven’t been fully engaged, and calls people who can bring new skills and passion to your nonprofit. It can be awkward to ask someone to step down, but at times like these, you need everyone’s full commitment.
   

While you’re at it, think strategically about the skills and knowledge that are missing – things your nonprofit needs right now – and reach out to people who have them. There are more people than ever who want to channel their frustration into productive volunteer work.

Finally, Board service should be purposeful, proactive, and a little fun! When board members treat their role seriously—without taking themselves too seriously—amazing things happen. So, take stock, step up, and make sure you’re leading with intention and in partnership with your chief exec.

And, if you don’t have the energy to engage, be humble enough to recognize that and step off the board.

Your nonprofit needs you. Are you ready to get to work?

Pat

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Pat Libby is a change management consultant working principally with nonprofit corporations. She is author of The Empowered Citizens Guide: 10 Steps to Passing a Law that Matters to You, Oxford University Press, The Lobbying Strategy Handbook, second edition, Oxford University Press, and Cases in Nonprofit Management, SAGE. She has served as an academic, senior executive, board member, and consultant to innumerable nonprofit organizations and foundations for more than three decades.

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