Have you considered a Not-for-Profit board appointment in the UK?

Many people will suggest that gaining a not-for-profit board appointment is the place to begin your Non-Executive career. However, many want or need to be paid for their service, which most UK not-for-profit organisations are able to do. Many misconceptions about these roles may be preventing many from making the most of these opportunities.

Common misconceptions of UK not-for-profit board roles

The term not-for-profit conjures images of organisations doing good but lacking governance, skilled board members and financial resources. Let’s be honest, in some cases, this is the reality, but the same could be said for a large number of commercial boards.

The truth is that the majority of not-for-profit boards and committees in the UK are well-governed, with highly qualified and well-connected members, operating at a highly professional level. Whilst most not-for-profit board appointments are not paid, some offer considerable remuneration. Regardless of remuneration status, not-for-profit board appointments provide the opportunity to contribute to your community and build both your professional & board careers.

Why consider a UK Not-for-Profit board appointment?

There are many reasons why you should consider an opportunity to serve on a not-for-profit (NFP) board or committee, many of which you have probably not taken into consideration:

• • NFP organisations often have open standing vacancies for board or committee positions. These are often not advertised, so there is less competition for roles.
  • You can easily find the contact details of present board members who are keen to discuss opportunities with you.
  • Due to funding issues, they are less likely to use recruiters to fill roles.
  • A unique environment to develop new personal and professional skills, including valuable soft skills.
  • You can learn from more experienced non-executive directors and put your governance training to use.
  • You can develop relationships with those who sit on other boards, thereby opening up new board opportunities.
  • NFP appointments offer a unique opportunity to work with like-minded people, giving you access to new connections who can support your professional career.
  • NFP roles allow you to contribute to organisations or causes you are passionate about.
  • Volunteering with an NFP has been proven to: boost social connection, reduce anxiety, improve life satisfaction, offer a sense of purpose and decrease the risk of depression.

Review your Board Aspirations?

I agree that a non-profit appointment is not right for everyone, and there are several boxes you need to tick when making this decision:

• • Do you have an authentic passion for the organisation?
  • Do you have the skill they require?
  • Do you have the time required to contribute?
  • Are you prepared for the politics that may be involved? 
  • Do you have the funds to cover expenses that may not be reimbursed
  • Is that timing right for your professional and/or board career?

For some, a non-for-profit board appointment is the crucial first step to developing a board career. Still, for others, it is worth waiting for a more appropriate opportunity to facilitate your longer-term board aspirations. You need to be really clear about what your short-term, medium-term board and professional goals are. Think about:

• • What board appointments do you want to have in the next 5 years?
  • Why do you want a board appointment in the first place?
  • What sort of role will help you achieve these future board aspirations?

Addressing these questions will help guide you in determining where to begin your board career and where a non-profit board appointment fits in your career plan.

I have previously spoken about the 5 things a Chair is looking for in a successful NED candidate. One of the first things chairs, or recruiters, look for is past board or governance experience. Whilst a not-for-profit board appointment may not match your longer-term aspirations, if you have not been a NED previously, this sort of appointment will allow you to label yourself as a Non-Executive Director plus provide valuable experience.

A word of warning, be careful about your motivation. NFP Chairs and Non-Executives are extremely passionate about the organisations they serve. In your pitch, you need to be able to demonstrate similar passion. 

Where to start looking for non-for-profit board appointments

If you have decided that an NFP board role fits your board career plan, be assured that there is always a large selection of roles available across the UK. These vary from small to large organisations, across various industries and locations. We list a large number of these board vacancies every week.

As I mentioned earlier, in the UK, the NFP sector is unique in that many organisations have open-standing board & committee vacancies. Most have passionate sitting members who are always keen to discuss the organisations they represent. This is good news as it provides you with an abundance of opportunities where you can approach organisations directly. To narrow your focus, develop a list of target NFP organisations you are passionate about and know you can add value to. You can search database websites such as Charity Choice or the UK Charity Register.

Once you have a list of target non-for-profit organisations, develop connections and start conversations with those who can lead to a not-for-profit board appointment. My article “The 4 Keys you should use to open up personal connections” will help with this process.

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