Last week, United Way of Central Ohio released its latest report, Voices at the Table: Perspectives Shaping Nonprofit Boards in Central Ohio. At Mollard Consulting, we are proud to sponsor this work and amplify its findings.
Nonprofit boards shape the health and strength of our communities. When boards reflect different backgrounds and lived experiences, they build trust and impact.
Strong and diverse boards are better equipped to understand community needs and guide organizations toward meaningful change. They make better decisions overall.
Mollard Consulting is dedicated to capacity building. We believe that governance is everything and that leadership matters, which is why this work is closely aligned with our mission.
Our team has seen the intention behind this research from the start, and we want to recognize the leadership of Lisa Courtice, Kourtni Hatton, and others on the UWCO team. The report illustrates meaningful progress while also highlighting areas for growth.
Key findings include:
- Nonprofit boards in Central Ohio are becoming more racially and ethnically diverse.
- Young adults remain significantly underrepresented on boards.
- Board members are more likely to come from higher income brackets, which can create barriers to entry.
- Many organizations report prioritizing diversity but still face challenges in achieving it.
- Most boards report strong, inclusive cultures, with members feeling their voices are heard.
These findings resonate with our work and reinforce something we have long believed: expanding who has a seat at the table takes intention. It also takes a new approach.
That is exactly why we created Board Building.
Board Building assists nonprofits with moving beyond the same networks they have always relied on for recruitment. And it’s more than just a match. Board Building includes 12 months of training and support.
Board Building is Central Ohio’s first and only software-supported board matching service that connects prospective board members to nonprofits that align on mutual passions. We are building more than just boards. We are building capacity, leaders, skills, networks, community, and impact.
We are especially proud that UWCO was our first partner in this work. Together, we are supporting their funded partners seeking board members and their PDPL alumni seeking board service opportunities. One match at a time, we are building stronger, more diverse boards.
This report is both a reflection of progress made and a call to keep investing, which we are committed to doing.
We encourage you to take time to read Voices at the Table and reflect on what it means for your organization. And if Board Building can meet your needs, please let us know.
Written By: Liz Zerby
