Nonprofit Board Matching

Connecting business professionals to nonprofit boards.

Match to a Nonprofit Board

Make a Difference for a Local Nonprofit

BVU has worked for 30+ years to train, match, and refer engaged and passionate individuals to nonprofits boards that are striving to make a difference.

BOARD MATCHES

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IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Business professionals have a crucial role to play in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time.

 BVU’s Board Matching Program

Benefits

Tailored Matching

We make a match based on your skills, expertise, and passions, connecting you with a nonprofit board that shares your values.

Professional Development

We offer training and resources to help you excel in your role and grow as a leader.

Community Engagement

We help you collaborate to find innovative solutions to some of society’s most complex challenges.

Networking Opportunities

We provide connections to like-minded professionals who share your passion for giving back.

Next Steps

Business Membership

BVU Business Members nominate participant​, BVU meets with nonprofit leadership to understand their needs​, candidates are interviewed and referred based on nonprofit needs and candidate interests and expertise​, candidates attend Role of the Board training​

Minority Pipeline Initiative

Free for professionals of color due to the demand for racial diversification of nonprofit boards, we encourage members. of the community and our business members to nominate participants.  to go through Board Connect free of charge. ​Encouraging business partners to nominate professionals of color to the Board Connect program. ​

Linking New Leaders

A speed dating style event to connect young professionals and nonprofits ​, nonprofits recruit for young professional groups, boards, or committee seats

 Board Matching Process

1. NOMINATION: Employers nominate stand-out employees to participate in the Board Matching program.

2, MEETING: BVU meets with candidates to learn more about their backgrounds and passions and shares specific nonprofit board opportunities that meet their interests and match their skills.

3. REFERRAL: BVU contacts nonprofit organization to recommend the participant and

4. TRAINING:Board matching candidates attend BVU’s three-hour “Role of the Board” seminar to learn to effectively serve as nonprofit board members.

5. ELECTION: If the participant and the nonprofit agree to match, the participant is elected to a board or committee. matching candidates attend a three-hour seminar to prepare them to effectively serve as nonprofit board members.

Frequently Asked Questions

BVU’s board matching process considers these four commonly asked questions about boaservice:

Uniquely positioned at the intersection of the nonprofit and business sectors, BVU couples the needs of nonprofits with the passions, budget, time commitment, and skills of business professionals.

BVU’s board matching process considers these four commonly asked questions about board service:

What is the mission and organizational structure?

BVU finds nonprofits that fit participants’ passion/impact areas based on:

  • Budget size and community impact
  • Board, staff, and leadership details
  • Mission and impact areas

What is the time commitment?

BVU finds nonprofits that fit participants’ timing & locale​:

    • 3 hours over 3-10 months for board matching process
    • 4-6 required annual board meetings
    • 4-6 annual committee meetings

What is the cost?

BVU finds nonprofits that fit participants’ budgets based on:

  • Minimum contribution ​or “personally significant” amount
  • Fundraising events and expected participation

 

What skills are required?

BVU finds nonprofits that match participants’ skills​:

  • All business skills have utility in nonprofit governance and board leadership​
  • Highest needs: sales, HR, finance, legal, logistics, operations, marketing, accounting, etc.

Who is Eligible for Board Matching?

Candidates for board service demonstrate:

– Interest in community
– Achievement in their fields
-Vision, strategic thinking, and teamwork
– Readiness to serve Northeast Ohio nonprofits

How To Get Started

BVU Membership

Become a BVU Business Member to connect your employees to nonprofit boards.

Linking New Leaders

Sign up for “speed-dating” between young professionals and nonprofits for a gaurunteed match.

Minority Pipeline Initiative

Access the board matching program free of charge as a professional of color.

{My sincerest thanks on behalf of the team for the opportunity to come out and work with at the Old Brooklyn Community Garden. It was great to be able to step away from the normal day-to-day work stuff, and spend some time bonding as a team and with the community. And in the process, we discovered an absolute gem of a place that very few of us even knew existed! Thank you to BVU for making the connection. We hope to get out and volunteer at the garden again in the near future.
5
Steve Comer
Hyland
{BVU gave me the opportunity to be matched to an amazing nonprofit board early in my career. They gave me all the tools I needed for success, walked through the matching process with me step by step, and followed up to make sure it was successful. I recommend BVU to professionals in my network looking to get involved.
5
Marshall Scott
Marketing Professional
{I thought the Homeless Stand Down was great and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it.  Kudos to BVU and your staff for the fantastic work on this event. It was a great way to give back to the community. I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to be there and see it for myself.
5
Marc Merklin
Partner, Brouse McDowell
{We are all facing so many difficulties in our society, business, and economy but gathering to volunteer with my team really helped remind us of what’s important. The day of service strengthened connections between staff members and left us all feeling inspired. It was amazing to meet and support passionate people who make the world a better place. We are still talking about it — lots of people are going to go back to the organizations and continue to volunteer.
5
Bill Priemer
President and CEO, Hyland

Get Started

Match to a nonprofit board or recruit board members for your nonprofit.

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