NextGen on Board
Setting the table for change
NextGen on Board
Stanislaus Community Foundation believes that representation matters. Increasingly, any organization poised to make impactful change is led by diverse staff and board members. Engaging young leaders as board directors ensures relevance to the communities served by nonprofits and adds a rich lived experience in service of the organizational mission.
To achieve this locally, Stanislaus Community Foundation, with the support of Dave and Jeanne Olson, launched NextGen on Board, a leadership program that recruits, trains, and places the next generation of leaders on local nonprofit organization boards. NextGen Cohorts 1 and 2 have successfully graduated 27 Fellows to serve as Board Members across Stanislaus County nonprofits. We are recruiting for NextGen Cohort 3, where we will build the capacity of young leaders through training, coaching, and mentoring them on nonprofit governance, including strategic direction, fiscal management, and compliance.
What is the goal of NextGen on Board?
The goal of NextGen on Board is twofold. For young leaders, it aims to increase their capacity to engage in change efforts, increase their opportunities to be at decision-making tables, broaden their exposure to career pathways, and develop their professional and informal networks. For participating nonprofits, having a young leader as a board member will deepen the organization’s perspective on issues that impact young people, and this will allow the organization to innovate solutions as a result.
Young leader criteria
To be eligible for the program, candidates must be:
Between the ages of 18 and 26 (exceptions may apply for younger or older individuals with a track record of leadership and community service).
Passionate about service as a leader of a local nonprofit organization.
Reliable and have a sound reputation as a young community leader and a team player.
Willing to commit to training dates and holding a board member position for 24 months.
Nonprofit Partner Criteria
Local nonprofits interested in having a young leader placed on their board of directors must be willing and able to:
Participate in a joint orientation with the young leader.
Commit to ongoing training for at least the 24 months.
Pair a staff member from their organization to mentor the young leader throughout the duration of the program.
Participate in an informal board assessment to best understand structure, needs, and feedback opportunities from the young leader and/or Youth Leadership Institute and/or Stanislaus Community Foundation.
informational webinar
Stanislaus Community Foundation is hosting an informational webinar for local nonprofits to learn more about the NextGen on Board program. Click here to register.
