What makes a strong nonprofit? That subject has been the source of numerous books, trainings, blog posts and discussions around many, many tables. An answer always correct to that question is strong leadership.

Strong nonprofit boards are the power behind effective, sustainable nonprofit operations. Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (NPLI) recently announced it has added one more tool in its arsenal of programs to help nonprofits build effective boards and better achieve their missions. NPLI is offering a dynamic, web-based platform, called Board Connect, to help drive volunteer engagement at a leadership level.

Board Connect is a free online resource for our community. Fox Valley nonprofits post their available leadership opportunities to the website and community members interested in board service can respond to those openings.

“This site will be a great resource for businesses looking for ways to engage their employees in the community,” says NPLI program manager Annette Look. “Engagement with a nonprofit at a board, committee or task-force level provides professional development and leadership skills for employees, as well as giving them a rewarding experience of giving back to the community.”

Nonprofits in the area began posting their board, committee and task-force volunteer opportunities on the site over 18 months ago when Board Connect was created and managed by Volunteer Fox Cities. The transition of the online platform to NPLI made sense to both organizations as NPLI was already providing programming focused on helping nonprofits recruit leadership level volunteers through their Join a Board events – now called Board Connect events.

Board Connect is offered to Fox Valley-area nonprofits at no charge because of the generous sponsorship of Amcor.

“We know helping nonprofits thrive results in thriving communities,” says Kim Wetzel, Amcor Foundation director. “By sponsoring Board Connect, Amcor is doing its part to help nonprofits and our community partners share their skills and knowledge to better elevate one another.”

Board Connect’s software platform makes community engagement as easy as browse, choose, and click to connect with local nonprofits that are looking for board and committee members.

“Our Fox Valley Amcor employees are really excited to partner with agencies through this efficient online mechanism that they can access at any time, in any place, because our company culture is one that truly values community collaboration.”

Community members can search the site to find their best volunteer match using different search filters. If you’re interested in animals, select that when you search opportunities by cause and you will see organizations that work with animals. Board Connect identifies 20 different causes, such as arts & culture, veterans and much more. It’s easy for volunteers to find an opportunity that meets their passion.

Currently 136 nonprofit agencies utilize Board Connect and 58 board, committee or task-force opportunities are listed. In the coming months NPLI will introduce Board Connect to area businesses, so their employees can use the site to explore ways to give back to the community while developing professional skills and community connections at the same time.

Users can access Board Connect online here.

On September 26, Nonprofit Leadership Initiative will host one of its quarterly Board Connect events at the Fox Club, inside Fox Cities Stadium from 5 – 7 p.m. This free event is another way for community members to connect with nonprofits and learn about their volunteer leadership opportunities. Learn more.

For more information about Board Connect, please contact Annette Look at [email protected].

The Nonprofit Leadership Initiative is a partnership of Fox Valley-area nonprofits, funders, educational institutions and businesses dedicated to providing resources needed by effective nonprofit boards and executive leaders. NPLI offers a wide range of leadership, management and technical skill-building programs, as well as peer learning circles, to the entire nonprofit sector in the Fox Valley.

We support  NPLI with a grant from the Bright Idea Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, one among many community partners supporting NPLI. Click here to learn more.

amy spreeman

amy spreeman