NextGen on Board
Setting the table for change
NextGen on Board
Stanislaus Community Foundation believes that representation matters. Increasingly, any organization poised to make impactful change is led by diverse staff and board members. Engaging young leaders as board directors ensures relevance to the communities served by nonprofits and adds a rich lived experience in service of the organizational mission.
To achieve this locally, Stanislaus Community Foundation, with the support of Dave and Jeanne Olson, is launching NextGen on Board, a leadership program that recruits, trains, and places the next generation of leaders on local nonprofit organization boards.
Over the next three years, NextGen on Board will recruit approximately 40 young leaders and build their leadership capacity by coaching and mentoring them on nonprofit governance, including strategic direction, fiscal management, and compliance.
What is the goal of NextGen on Board?
The goal of NextGen on Board is twofold. For young leaders, it aims to (1) increase their capacity to engage in change efforts, (2) increase their opportunities to be at decision-making tables, (3) broaden their exposure to career pathways, and (4) develop their professional and informal networks. For participating nonprofits, having a young leader as a board member will deepen the organization’s perspective on issues that impact young people, and this will allow the organization to innovate solutions as a result.
Fellowship Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, candidates must be:
Between the ages of 18 and 26 (exceptions may apply for younger or older individuals with a track record of leadership and community service).
Passionate about service as a leader of a local nonprofit organization.
Reliable and have a sound reputation as a young community leader and a team player.
Willing to commit at least 15 hours a month to training and holding a board member position.
What are the requirements for nonprofit partners?
Local nonprofits interested in having a young leader placed on their board of directors must be willing and able to:
Participate in a joint orientation with the young leader.
Commit to ongoing training for at least the next 12-24 months.
Pair a staff member from their organization to mentor the young leader throughout the duration of the program.
Participate in an informal board assessment to best understand structure, needs, and feedback opportunities from the young leader and/or Youth Leadership Institute and/or Stanislaus Community Foundation.
Curriculum
NextGen on Board provides an effective curriculum to build young leaders’ knowledge on nonprofit board governance including:
Roles & responsibilities as a board member
Robert’s Rules of Order
Strengths finding
Nonprofit financials
Advocacy and ambassadorship
Fundraising
Committees and meetings structure
Mentorship and Community
Young leaders will be paired with a mentor from the nonprofit organization board they will serve on, and the mentor will provide individual guidance, motivation, and role modeling. In addition, young leaders will build relationships with NextGen on Board staff, trainers, and fellow cohort members.
If your organization is interested in participating, please fill out the Nonprofit Interest Form. And if you have any questions, please contact Maria Cortez, Chief Strategy Officer, at mcortez@stanislauscf.org.
