Why orientation matters, what to include, and how to make it meaningful.
Nonprofit leaders know they should be onboarding new board members, but between grant deadlines, staff meetings, and event planning, creating a thoughtful board orientation process often falls to the bottom of the list.
So instead, we welcome new board members with—you guessed it—a binder.
But here’s the reality: an engaging onboarding experience is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen your board, boost engagement, and set your nonprofit up for long-term success. And, the best part is, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
We’re breaking it down based on Hedges’ 4 Pillars of Organizational Health, with practical tips and resources to help you build or refresh your board onboarding process.
Why Onboarding Deserves More Attention
Board members aren’t just volunteers—they’re ambassadors, fundraisers, and decision-makers. But too often, we assume they’ll just “figure it out” as they go.
A strong onboarding process helps board members:
- Understand your mission and programs
- Know their role (and how to succeed in it)
- Feel connected to your team and culture
- Confidently represent your organization in the community
That’s not just good for them—it’s vital for your nonprofit.
So, where do you start?
We recommend thinking about board orientation through the lens of four key pillars: Programs & Impact, Leadership & Culture, Finance & Development, and Marketing & Communication.
1. Programs & Impact: Help your board fall in love with your mission.
This is where you help them build a connection. Every board member should have a clear understanding of the following:
- What you do
- Why it matters
- Who you serve
- What success looks like
Ideas to include:
- Your mission, vision, and core values
- Program overviews and outcomes
- Strategic plan and logic models
- Client stories or videos that bring your work to life
- A cheat sheet of acronyms or nonprofit terms (yes, please)
Pro tip: Invite board members to tour your facility, observe a program in action, or attend a community event early. Seeing the mission in action builds connection faster than any slide deck ever could.
2. Leadership & Culture: Set the tone for how your board operates.
Culture starts here. Orientation is your chance to clarify expectations, roles, and what it means to be a great board member at your organization.
What to cover:
- Board member responsibilities (and what they’re not responsible for)
- Board calendar and committee structure
- Org chart and leadership team
- Board policies: conflict of interest, confidentiality, social media, etc.
- A little bit about “how we do things” – norms, meeting culture
Bonus tip: Pair new members with a “board buddy” during their first year. It makes asking questions far less intimidating and helps them feel welcome.
3. Finance & Development: help them understand the budget.
Numbers can be complex. Walk your board through your financials in plain language and help them understand how fundraising fits into the big picture.
What helps:
- Current budget and recent audit
- Fundraising plan and board goals
- Case for support and sample grant proposals
- Overview of financial policies (reserves, investments, etc.)
Fundraising tip: Give board members a few easy ways to get started: share your fundraising talking points, draft an email they can send to friends, or set up a quick role-play session.
4. Marketing & Communications: Give them the tools to be your best ambassadors.
Your board members are natural storytellers—if you give them the tools. Don’t assume they know what to say or how to share your work.
Helpful tools:
- Talking points and elevator pitch
- Marketing plan (the simple version!)
- Social media handles and suggested posts
- Spokesperson policy and media do’s & don’ts
Engagement idea: Consider asking new board members to share something that excites them about the mission and tag your nonprofit on social media. It’s an easy, feel-good first step.
Build the Process, Not Just the Packet
Onboarding isn’t a one-time event—it’s an intentional process that takes place over the course of several months. A strong plan includes opportunities to connect with people, learn about the nonprofit, and gradually step into the board role with confidence. From early welcomes and mission moments to ongoing learning and check-ins, the goal is to help new members feel informed, supported, and ready to contribute.
Make It Stick: Best Practices We Believe In
Here’s what we’ve seen work well in our 23 years of helping more than 175 nonprofits, foundations, and corporations:
- Use a board manual or digital hub with everything in one place
- Break information into segments—don’t overwhelm them in the first meeting
- Involve existing board members in the process
- Check-in regularly during the first year
- Make it personal—ask why they joined and connect it to the mission
- Keep it fun—orientation doesn’t have to feel like homework
Ready to Level Up Your Onboarding?
Below is one of our favorite downloadable tools from BoardSource to help you get started:
What Goes into a Board Manual?
Your board wants to show up and lead well. They just need the tools and the invitation. Let’s start setting them up for success from day one.
Do you need help designing your onboarding experience? Our team of nonprofit experts would love to help. Reach out and let’s build something great together.
Kara Harrison serves as the Director of Capacity Building Services at Hedges. She previously held positions as the Community Investment and Grants Officer at a Community Foundation and as the Executive Director of a mental health-focused nonprofit. Kara is certified in Nonprofit Board Consulting by BoardSource and holds a Change Management Certificate from Cornell University. Her unique blend of hands-on experience and strategic insight allows her to connect with clients while guiding organizations toward operational excellence and impact.
