BVU Board Matching Network

BVU Board Matching Participants are part of a special network of civically engaged community members who are addressing the most pressing challenges in our community.

Participants in the Board Matching Class of 2024 prior to the Role of the Board seminar.

By participating on the program, join over 4,000 professionals in the BVU Board Matching Network, many of whom have risen to board leadership positions and have served more than 1,000 Northeast Ohio nonprofits. 

BVU takes pride in working to understand your unique skills and passions to match you with a nonprofit board that shares your values. We are also proud to connect you with like-minded professionals who share your passion for giving back. 

Please know you can rely on BVU for help every step of the way. ​Whether the nonprofit you are matched to might benefit from volunteers, education, board training/development, or governance assistance, BVU is here for you on your journey to uplift the nonprofit sector.

BOARD MATCHES

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IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

IN ECONOMIC IMPACT

Take the Next Steps

To enter the Board Matching Program, you must be nominated by your organization or through the Minority Pipeline Initiative. 

SCHEDULE WELCOME MEETING

Briefly meet with BVU to provide your experience, skills, and interests and ask any questions.

SCHEDULE MEETING TO REVIEW OPTIONS

Review and discuss your customized nonprofit board options.

REGISTER FOR ROLE OF THE BOARD

Join your class prior to the seminar to network and get to know each other.

Nonprofit Board Matching Team

The BVU Board Matching Network

Class of 2024

Class of 2023

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.

Praise for Board Matching

{Getting involved with nonprofits and on boards is a passion area of mine. I worked for BVU for a few years and loved it. It was such a great way to get to know Cleveland and how different nonprofits operate. After leaving, I stayed involved in the community by serving on boards and as a volunteer, which has been a really incredible experience. You learn so much through other organizations, through solving different kinds of problems, and you get to meet so many people – nonprofits in the end are really the ones driving our community forward.
5
Azadeh Hardiman
Business Leader, Level20, Progressive
{I'm deeply grateful for the support of BVU along this journey. You have been an invaluable resource in connecting me with an organization that matches my interests and requires my skills. The process was easy, quick, and resulted in a board match within 90 days. I took advantage of an opportunity to attend the board training with BVU this fall and it helped me prepare for this experience even more. I also appreciated the networking at the event! Thank you and your team for the work you do for our community.
5
Dawn Williams
Board Matching Participant
{BVU is like college for preparing to be a good board member.
5
Anthony Hill-McShepard
Minority Pipeline Initiative Participant
{
BVU has been an integral component of Food Strong's growth. We now have 4 rockstar board members who were connected to us by BVU. The trainings and consultations we receive through this incredible organization have assisted us tremendously. Being a part of BVU is a no-brainer for any organization that seeks to grow and develop capacity.
5
Sara Continenza
Food Strong