BoardBuild, platform training and connecting board candidates with nonprofits

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with TD Smyers, CEO of BoardBuild, who highlights the technology platform that connects board candidates with nonprofit organizations through a certification course and matching system. The platform offers nonprofit board training and continuing education credits to help open access and democratize nonprofit board service by overcoming geographic and demographic barriers, while providing companies with professional development opportunities. BoardBuild is working heavily in states like Texas and Tennessee and in collaboration with organizations, including the Tennessee Nonprofit Network. Their expansion strategy involves establishing deep roots in multiple states through partnerships with regional organizations and financial support, with plans to expand their influence to eventually become nationwide.

BoardBuild: Board Candidate Matching Platform

Jeremy and TD discuss BoardBuild, a platform that equips and matches board candidates with nonprofit organizations. TD explains that BoardBuild started as a way to diversify boards but evolved into a comprehensive solution that includes a robust certification course that is not just educational but entertaining, as it is presented by improv comedians. The platform now offers continuing education credits through a partnership with UT Arlington, making it beneficial for both individuals seeking board positions and nonprofits looking for qualified candidates.

Nonprofit Board Service Platform Overview

TD explains how BoardBuild.org helps nonprofits and companies by democratizing nonprofit board service, enabling access to a diverse pool of candidates regardless of geographic, socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, or age barriers. The platform offers free services to nonprofits through donations, while providing companies with affordable professional development opportunities and community engagement solutions. Jeremy highlights how Higginbotham has empowered their employees to participate in community service through BoardBuild's certification and matching program.

Leader Development and Nonprofit Matching

TD explains that companies can easily sign up and manage cohorts of participants through the platform, which provides automated notifications and recommendations. The platform facilitates matches between participants and nonprofits in three ways: individual searches, company searches, and automated recommendations, with over 140 opportunities available. The platform has expanded beyond North Texas to Tennessee, and TD shares positive testimonials from users.

Board Build: Expanding Nonprofit Boards

TD shares an example of a Missouri-based veteran entrepreneur support nonprofit that successfully recruited a board candidate from Boston through BoardBuild, highlighting how the platform enables diverse board compositions. Jeremy emphasizes how BoardBuild helps organizations "open up the floodgates" for new board members with untapped potential, while TD notes that this approach aligns with the growing trend of "open source board recruiting" discussed in a recent Stanford Social Innovation Review article.

BoardBuild's Regional Expansion Strategy

TD discusses BoardBuild's expansion strategy, aiming to establish deep roots in its current states, including Texas, Washington, Nebraska, Tennessee, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Virginia. The company plans to collaborate with regional energy companies and banks to expand its influence across multiple markets. TD highlights the importance of donations, financial contributions, and partnerships with nonprofits and leadership organizations to support BoardBuild's mission. The platform offers packages and pricing options to accommodate various needs, and TD emphasizes the success of collaborations with organizations like Junior League chapters and Leadership North Texas.

Visit https://www.boardbuild.org to learn more about BoardBuild. If you are in Tennessee, you can visit the Tennessee Nonprofit Network (under the Resources tab) to connect with and access BoardBuild: https://tnnonprofits.org.