You might be familiar with TurnOut’s Queer Board Match, but did you know we also work with board members at queer & trans nonprofits to ensure they have the tools they need to maximize their impact for their organizations?

It’s no secret that LGBTQ+ nonprofits are often under-resourced compared to their peers in the sector. Board members, therefore, play an even more significant goal in resourcing these organizations - acting as leaders in community engagement, fundraising, and more.

TurnOut worked with Regina Neu, a nonprofit leadership coach and board expert who teaches nonprofit management and grant writing at San Francisco State University, to develop the curriculum for our 6-week pilot program. The end result covered 8 key subject areas, encompassing everything from what’s really involved in being a board member (it’s more than just fundraising!) to finance and communications through multiple learning modalities, including panel discussions, “office hours,” readings, and a final project.

We asked Regina why this kind of hands-on education is so important.

“People often join boards because they think the mission is wonderful, but they may not really understand everything that’s involved. There are legal, ethical, and ‘get it done’ reasons behind boards. You really are accountable to the community - the people the nonprofit serves. It’s really important that a board understands how to look at the big picture, think strategically and understand finances.”

Serving as a board member can be an incredibly rewarding experience, especially when board members have the tools available to truly support an organization’s mission. “We want people to feel clear and empowered about what they’re doing, even if they’re joining the board of a new or very tiny nonprofit.”

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