In a recent article in the Worcester Business Journal by Katherine Garrahan, CFMW board member and Partner at Bowditch & Dewey, the value and benefits of serving on nonprofit boards are explored. Interestingly, Bowditch & Dewey discovered that many of its attorneys expressed a desire to serve on a board but struggled to find opportunities that aligned with their interests and skills.
Recognizing this need for more people to engage with nonprofit board work, Bowditch & Dewey of Framingham and Worcester, took action by becoming a lead sponsor of the nonprofit Board Matching Program for the Community Foundation for MetroWest. Their internal experience confirmed what they had suspected was happening externally all along – businesses can benefit from having staff in nonprofit board roles just as much as nonprofit organizations do, and the reasons for this are plentiful:
- Nonprofits play a pivotal role in the growth and development of communities by providing essential services. To support them, businesses can play a critical role in the recruitment of new board members. The pandemic presented additional challenges for nonprofits, particularly smaller organizations, who were already struggling to find new board members. As a result, finding individuals with the right skills and interests has become a top priority.
- Serving on a nonprofit board offers numerous benefits. It not only enhances an individual’s professional development but also provides opportunities to expand their network. Additionally, businesses can benefit from board service as it helps with talent retention and fosters creativity through the infusion of diverse ideas. For seasoned professionals, board service provides a gratifying way to give back to the community and connect with like-minded individuals.
Serving on nonprofit boards is a win-win situation that benefits society and helps businesses thrive through professional development opportunities for key staff members. The Nonprofit Board Matching Program, launched by CFMW in collaboration with Bowditch & Dewey and leading Metrowest businesses including TJX, Ballentine Partners, Morgan Stanley, and Definitive Healthcare, is making it easier for individuals to find the right board opportunities.
