Leading the change: fostering DEI in nonprofit boardrooms

Most charitable organisations have missions clearly targeted at promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) or otherwise serving the general community.

Yet, BoardSource’s Leading With Intent survey reveals that, while 82% of nonprofit CEOs agree that diversity is important for strategic leadership and governance of the organisation, only 26% prioritise demographic diversity when recruiting board members.

Nonprofits can model the change they seek to inspire by weaving the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into the fabric of nonprofit governance. After all, the strength of a nonprofit board lies in its ability to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves.

Why is DEI important in the nonprofit important in the nonprofit board room? Because these practices can guarantee:

• Representative and informed decision-making
• Cultural competence
• Innovative solutions
• Community engagement and trust

Let’s dive into some practices that enhance diversity, equity and inclusion and drive better decision-making in nonprofit boards.

1. Recruit with equity in mind

To build equity in the nonprofit board room, begin by gearing the recruitment of board members towards that goal. A diverse board membership pipeline is the sure path to a diverse board. It’s important to seek out potential board members from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, professions and skill sets.

To effectively broaden the pipeline, consider reaching out to underrepresented communities for candidates. Recruiting from diverse organisations and collaborating with inclusion-oriented organisations will guarantee a diverse pool of candidates.

Clearly define the roles of the board members during recruitment to boost their confidence about serving meaningfully. Also, consider allowing board members to serve without requiring donations or fundraising. This traditional fundraising criterion can be discouraging to otherwise vital board members.

2. Provide relevant training opportunities

Board members, new and old, should receive training and support on how to enhance DEI in the boardroom. These learning opportunities can serve as a form of onboarding for new board members; they can equally prepare the existing board members to welcome and recruit new members more effectively. Such opportunities can prepare board members to recognise and effectively combat unconscious biases that may impair inclusive and equitable operation and decision-making.

Equipped with the right knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to promote DEI in their governance roles, board members can ensure that their counterparts feel welcomed and valued. Learn more about different types of DEI training to implement at your nonprofit.

3. Implement inclusive governance practices; set term limits

To enhance equity in the nonprofit board, inclusive governance practices should be in place.

It’s important to review board membership documents to ensure the principles of DEI underpin each policy. The policies should establish benchmarks for the board makeup and rules that will keep the entire board accountable.

Consider rotating leadership roles on the board and setting term limits. BoardSource reports that 46% of nonprofit boards have no term limits while many others have term limits that are only selectively enforced.

This absence of strict term limits can create a concentration of power within a particular group and create an unwelcoming environment for new board members. However, implementing term limits can foster diversity and inclusion by creating a healthy turnover of board members.

4. Encourage inclusive decision-making processes

Foundations and nonprofits with diverse boards make better decisions because they’re better equipped to understand and serve their communities. Inclusive decision-making is the ingredient that makes this a reality.

To ensure that every board member is heard and valued:

• Prioritise accessibility and flexibility using virtual meetings so that all board members can join the meeting regardless of their location or time zone
• Rotate the responsibility of board meeting moderation
• Use a round-robin format to provide every board member with the chance to voice their opinion without interruption
• Prompt board members to listen to their colleagues actively and without judgement
• Leverage constructive discussion and consensus-building techniques

These inclusive decision-making processes allow diverse viewpoints to be duly considered and can highlight and cultivate the cumulative knowledge of the board.

5. Evaluate and improve regularly

Boosting diversity, equity and inclusion in any organisation is an ongoing commitment. Frequently assess the efficacy of your inclusivity efforts using surveys, feedback sessions or evaluations from board members and stakeholders. This evaluation process can help guide any necessary improvements.

DEI in charitable board rooms dismantles systemic barriers, amplifies marginalised voices and drives mission impact. Making charitable organisation boards more inclusive can enhance your decision-making and build equity into your grantmaking.