This conversation is part of the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s Stronger Nonprofit Series, presented in collaboration with the Florida Blue Foundation and GuideWell. The series provides actionable insights to help nonprofit leaders and board members strengthen their organizations through effective governance, fundraising, and strategic planning.
The nonprofit sector plays a vital role in building thriving communities. But what does it take to lead a nonprofit well, and how can professionals from other sectors meaningfully support this work?
To explore these questions, Lisa Brody, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and a member of the Nonprofit Leadership Center board, sat down with Charlie Imbergamo, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Center.
The Value of Business Experience in the Nonprofit Sector
Although nonprofits operate differently from for-profit businesses, Lisa emphasizes an essential truth:
“At the end of the day, a nonprofit organization is still a business.”
From strategic planning to financial management, the fundamentals of running a successful business also apply in the nonprofit world. That’s why corporate leaders can bring tremendous value to nonprofit boards — helping them build strong infrastructure, manage endowments, and plan for long-term sustainability.
“If you’re passionate about the mission of a nonprofit,” Lisa says, “your skills can make a meaningful difference.”
For those considering board service, Lisa advises beginning with your personal mission. Ask yourself: What excites me? How do I want to make a positive impact on my community? Once you’re clear on your passion, look for nonprofits whose work aligns with it. That alignment is what gives your service depth and staying power.
See 10 questions to ask yourself before serving on a nonprofit board.
Understanding the Differences Between Boards
While board service might appear similar across sectors, Lisa explains that key differences shape the expectations and responsibilities of nonprofit board members. Among them:
- Compensation: Nonprofit board members serve on a volunteer basis, whereas for-profit board members are often compensated.
- Term Limits: Nonprofits typically have defined term limits for board service, while for-profit board members may not.
- Responsibility: For-profit boards are accountable to business stakeholders. Nonprofit boards are ultimately responsible to the public and must uphold the organization’s mission.
“A nonprofit board member’s ultimate responsibility is to the public,” Lisa explains. “In particular, your responsibility is to the mission and tax-exempt purpose for which the nonprofit exists.”
Navigating Burnout and Bridging Divides
In addition to the operational challenges of leading a nonprofit, leaders today are also navigating rising burnout and a growing sense of societal division. Lisa sees this as both a challenge and an opportunity.
“The nonprofit sector can serve a very important role in bringing our communities back together. We all want to live in thriving communities where everyone can be successful, and it’s the nonprofit sector that’s already doing a lot of that work.”
Here are some of the ways Lisa believes nonprofits can lead the way forward:
- Creating workplaces centered on relationships and the mission
- Offering more flexibility and fairer compensation to staff
- Reconnecting people across lines of difference
Getting Started with Board Service
For those curious about serving on a nonprofit board, Lisa recommends starting with the people around you.
“Talk to your peers and colleagues who are already serving. Hearing about their experiences can help clarify your next steps.”
She also recommends the following resources:
- BoardSource: A trusted source for understanding nonprofit board duties and responsibilities
- Nonprofit Leadership Center: A hub for professional development training and events, especially in the Tampa Bay region
Put Your Strengths to Work
Nonprofits need passionate, skilled leaders to help communities thrive. If you’re considering board service, now is the time to match your experience with a mission that moves you.
Explore upcoming opportunities to grow your board readiness:
