The Evolving Non-Profit Board
Hi everyone,
I hope that spring is moving along well for you into summer. In addition to the articles this month and podcast, I wanted to share an update of the new board profile. This is the updated picture of what the average board of directors in a nonprofit organization looks like today.
Snap Shot of the US Nonprofit Board
• Average US Board has 16 members
• Average board is 45% female
• Average Board Term is 3.1 years
• Nearly 50% of board members are between 50 & 64
• Average board has 5.4 committees
• Average US board members serve 2.4 consecutive terms
• 56% of board has 100% board contribution rates, average is 86%
• 61% require fundraising roles of board members
• Average Board meets 7.4 times per year
• Average board meeting lasts 3.3 hours
• Nationally, 88% Of Boards Have Between 75% or higher Board Attendance
The biggest areas of change are in composition, giving, and meeting attendance. Remember, just a few years ago the average board giving rates were only 36% and the average meeting attendance was much lower than it is today. The board is the most intimate donor, volunteer and advocate constituency. Board members sit at the heart of the organization, making decisions that impact many lives.
These statistics paint a picture of the board composition. Fifty percent of board members are between the age of 50 and 64. This combined with the fact that only 7-8% of the adult population over 18 serves on a board, shows we have a lot of work to do in recruitment. The female composition profile numbers are up, and now 61% of boards require their members to take on a role in fundraising. While that sounds good, given that most NPOs are still engaged in transactional fundraising programs, this probably means a lot of board members are out selling tickets or baking cakes. But it’s a start, right? : )
The one statistic that has not moved in a long time is board size - still at 16. In the studies that look at the highest performing NPOs in the US, routinely the target board size of those agencies has been 22.
Check it out and have fun seeing how your board compares. Keep in mind that this is a mix of frequently meeting boards and those that meet less frequently. I am thankful for the great work you do.
I pray that all of you will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous in all you do and that the witness of your life and your organizations will give people a heart of thankfulness. Knowing that what you do is not only supplying the needs of our communities, but sharing your love of humankind in all ways.
With Warmest Regards,
Jamie
