If you sit on a nonprofit board, work in community organizations, or support the sector in any way, you’ve probably asked yourself this question lately.
Board recruitment used to be hard. Now, for many organizations, it feels almost impossible.
At the very moment when community needs are growing at a staggering pace, money is tight, teams are stretched thin, leadership demands are more complex than ever and qualified professionals are harder to convince to step forward and volunteer their time.
This isn’t because people don’t care.
It’s because the world around them has changed.
The reality we’re facing
Across Canada, volunteerism is declining and board service has been hit particularly hard.
Recent data shows:
- Overall volunteer participation has dropped significantly since the pandemic, especially among working-age adults
- People who do volunteer are contributing fewer hours on average
- Time-intensive roles like board governance are increasingly perceived as “too heavy” alongside demanding jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and rising financial stress
Add to that:
- Long work hours and constant digital availability
- Limited access to childcare or eldercare
- A lack of visibility into what board opportunities exist and what they actually involve
And suddenly, serving on a board—once seen as a meaningful civic contribution—can feel inaccessible, intimidating, or simply unrealistic.
Yet the need for strong, skilled, engaged boards has never been greater.
Before recruiting: do a gap analysis (this part matters more than you think)
One of the biggest mistakes organizations make is recruiting before they’re clear on what they actually need.
A thoughtful gap analysis helps boards move from vague wish lists (“we need more fundraisers”) to strategic clarity.
Ask yourselves:
- What skills are missing right now around this table?
- Where are we vulnerable as an organization—financially, legally, strategically, culturally?
- What lived experience, community knowledge, or perspective is absent?
- What kind of leadership will we need in the next 2–3 years—not just today?
This exercise does two powerful things:
- It makes recruitment more focused and realistic
- It allows you to speak clearly and honestly to potential board members about how they can make a meaningful contribution
People are far more likely to say yes when they understand why they’re needed.
Practical ways nonprofits can improve board recruitment
There’s no silver bullet, but there are proven ways to improve your odds.
- Be honest about the role
Overselling (“only 2 hours a month!”) leads to burnout and disengagement. Clarity builds trust. - Rethink time expectations
Can committee work be streamlined? Can meetings be shorter, fewer, or hybrid? Flexibility is no longer optional. - Invest in onboarding and support
New board members need context, mentorship, and confidence—not just a binder and a board vote. - Recruit through relationships, not just postings
Personal invitations still matter. Board members should be actively opening their networks. - Frame board service as leadership—not charity
Governance is skilled work. Treat it that way. - Create meaningful, time-bound entry points
Advisory roles, task forces, or one-year terms can lower the barrier to entry, especially for first-time board members.
Why board service still matters (especially now)
Despite the challenges, board service remains one of the most powerful ways to contribute and to grow.
For young professionals:
- Build governance, financial, and strategic skills rarely taught on the job
- Expand professional networks across sectors
- Gain leadership experience earlier than many workplaces allow
For senior professionals:
- Share hard-earned expertise where it truly matters
- Stay connected to community realities
- Mentor the next generation of leaders
For everyone:
- A deeper sense of purpose
- Stronger connection to community
- The quiet but profound satisfaction of helping something important survive and thrive
Board service doesn’t just build organizations. It builds people.
A hopeful path forward
Yes, recruiting board members is harder than it used to be. But this moment also invites us to rethink how we govern, how we value volunteer leadership, and how we support the people who step up.
When boards are clear about their needs, respectful of people’s time, and intentional about inclusion and support, people do say yes.
Not because it’s easy.
But because it still matters.
And because, deep down, many of us are still looking for meaningful ways to give back to our communities, to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves.
If you’re one of them, trust me: the right board is looking for you, too.
With over 25 years of experience in supporting local, national, and international nonprofits in strategic communications, fundraising, and governance, Kim deeply understands both the heart and the hard work behind effective leadership. Kim’s passion for community service extends far beyond her professional life. She serves on multiple boards including her role as President of Geordie Theatre, and currently contributes her time to organizations such as AFP Canada and the Canadian Addison Society as well as sitting on the Board of Governors at Concordia University. She has been recognized with the Governor General of Canada’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her long-standing civic leadership and advocacy.
