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Request a Board Member
Are you an arts manager or board leader trying to expand your known universe of supporters? Do you have specific requirements for board expertise that you haven't been able to fulfill through your normal board nomination process? Are you committed to effective board governance and looking for board members who “get it”?
Business On Board recruits and trains the region's business leaders to become effective board members and places them with nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.
This unique service of board training and placement is available to all nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Since 1996, we have placed nearly 500 Business On Board graduates on boards and board committees of more than 150 institutions.
Benefits for boards
We understand the challenges of board governance and the kind of counsel arts and cultural organizations require. So whether your board is in transition, you're looking to expand the board, or you're planning board strategies for your organization's future, we'll consider your specific needs to determine how Business On Board can help you.
Business On Board graduates are executives and professionals who:
- Received extensive training in nonprofit board governance and the fundraising, financial oversight, legal and fiduciary responsibilities of board members.
- Understand the importance of leadership to guide an organization and help achieve its artistic mission.
- Will contribute professional expertise to diversify your board and strengthen your organization's stability.
"By tapping into the Council's Business On Board program, InterAct Theatre Company has gained access to business leaders who fully understand the challenges facing nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Executives who prepare for their board roles through the program have been energetic and enthusiastic, and have made extraordinary contributions to our organization."
Seth Rozin, Producing Artistic Director, InterAct Theatre Company
Board Observerships
If a participant in the class looks like a good match for your organization, we'll make the introduction and ask you to serve as a host for the candidate's board "observership" experience. By attending board meetings, committee meetings, performances or other events:
- The candidate has opportunities to apply knowledge he/she is acquiring during our classroom session.
- Your organization and the candidate get to know each other, so by the time the training ends, you can make an informed decision together about whether he/she is a good fit for your board.
There's no obligation on your part (or the candidate's) that the observership will result in board placement, but most often it does. Please review the full list of host expectations.
Placement Fee
Arts and cultural organizations pay an administrative fee to the Arts & Business Council when a mutually agreed match between your organization and a board/committee candidate is made. The fee is:
- $250, invoiced after a Business On Board graduate is elected to your board or join a board committee
Apply now
To apply for a Business On Board placement:
- Complete this formto provide us with details about your organization, your board and the type of expertise you seek in a board member.
- Submit the requested supporting materials.
- We will contact you when a potential board member is interested in your organization.
Questions?
Contact Eileen Cunniffe, Director of Business On Board, at 215.790.3621 or ecunniffe@artsandbusinessphila.org.
Business On Board is presented with Producer Circle Support by:
Business On Board is supported in part by:
