About 80 percent of Berkshire nonprofits need board members according to the most recent surveys conducted by the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC). Most nonprofits are looking to add between one and three new members and describe the need as fairly urgent. “I don’t think this is anything new,” says Liana Toscanini, Executive Director of NPC. “Board members come and go, depending on the length of the term they are serving or personal life circumstances. And as organizations evolve, they seek out different skills,” said Toscanini.
What are nonprofits looking for in 2024? Some things haven’t changed, according to the survey. Nonprofits are still seeking people with board experience, connections, finance, fundraising skills, willingness to ‘roll up one’s sleeves,’ and financial means to serve on their boards. Over the past few years, however, nonprofits are increasingly looking to diversify their boards to ensure a wider range of perspectives and lived experiences.
In Berkshire County, nonprofits would like to see more representation from people of color and the younger demographic. 61percent of the 900 board members represented in NPC’s Board Composition survey are over 56 years old. 82 percent are white. Generally, a wide range of voices is considered advantageous to board decision-making.
The Berkshires has a large and vibrant nonprofit sector. In South County alone, there are over 250 nonprofits. Central Berkshire County is home to over 400 nonprofits and many of the larger agencies, while North Berkshire County has more than 125 nonprofits. That translates into hundreds, if not thousands of new board members needed.
NPC and Berkshire United Way have partnered with 1Berkshire and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to launch Get on Board Berkshires! This board matching service makes use of forms to gather information about the needs and preferences of both nonprofits and individuals.
Get on Board officially launches with a free coffee meet-up at Shakespeare & Company’s Elayne Bernstein Theatre on April 25th from 8am-9:30am. If you have skills or interest in helping local nonprofits, register here to learn more about existing opportunities to volunteer: https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/get-on-board
