Board Member Expectations and Information.
We are ushering in a new era for Financial Beginnings. During this next business cycle, we are setting out to serve new markets, grow our strategic partnerships, and adopt technological advancements to further our mission.
We cannot do this work alone!
Do you believe in the positive impact of financial education? Do you want to support a nonprofit through strategic thinking and guidance? Do you want to help us reach more individuals with our impactful programming? Express interest in joining the board or a committee by completing this form. (Generally we recruit to a committee or other volunteer position before exploring full board roles. )
Financial Beginnings Board Members:
Serve as a Financial Beginnings advocate and ambassador.
Have a personal connection to the mission of Financial Beginnings.
Champion Financial Beginnings as one of your top three nonprofits.
Make a personally significant contribution annually.
Appeal to your spheres of influence to become financial supporters.
Exercise fiduciary responsibilities as a governing board.
Frequently asked questions:
What is the organization's mission and vision?
Mission: Financial Beginnings empowers youth and adults to take control of their financial futures. We provide educational programs that incorporate all aspects of personal finance to give individuals the foundation they need to make informed financial decisions.
Vision: Financial Beginnings is the pathway to a financially literate nation. In a financially literate nation, individuals cease to see finances as a barrier and instead view them as a tool to realize their dreams. In a financially literate nation, individuals are vested in and contribute to a healthy economic system nationally, regionally, and in their own neighborhood.
Vision: Financial Beginnings is the pathway to a financially literate nation. In a financially literate nation, individuals cease to see finances as a barrier and instead view them as a tool to realize their dreams. In a financially literate nation, individuals are vested in and contribute to a healthy economic system nationally, regionally, and in their own neighborhood.
What is the board's role in fundraising?
Each board member is asked to make an annual, personally significant gift to Financial Beginnings.
Board members are asked to leverage their contacts to help solicit partnerships. It is also expected that board members approach the organization they work for, if feasible, as a financial donor and leverage their relationships to obtain additional sponsors. Most of the organizations that are represented on the board contribute approximately $25,000 to $100,000 annually.
Most importantly, the board members act as ambassadors and make introductions to help Financial Beginnings further its mission.
Board members are asked to leverage their contacts to help solicit partnerships. It is also expected that board members approach the organization they work for, if feasible, as a financial donor and leverage their relationships to obtain additional sponsors. Most of the organizations that are represented on the board contribute approximately $25,000 to $100,000 annually.
Most importantly, the board members act as ambassadors and make introductions to help Financial Beginnings further its mission.
What are the top focuses of the board over the next year?
In alignment with our strategic plan, the priorities are:
Sustainably increase program reach and impact.
Improve program excellence through programming and volunteerism.
Upgrade and develop systems and build culture in our newly unified organization.
Improve revenue development by building strong corporate and foundation partnerships.
What are the ways you think I can contribute as a board member?
There are numerous opportunities to contribute, including:
Being an ambassador for Financial Beginnings.
Providing expertise and strategic thinking for various aspects of operating the organization.
Supporting the CEO and leadership team.
Being an ambassador for Financial Beginnings.
Providing expertise and strategic thinking for various aspects of operating the organization.
Supporting the CEO and leadership team.
How is the board organized?
The board has four officers: chair, chair-elect/past-chair, treasurer, and secretary. We also have committees and working groups that provide thought partnership and expertise in specific areas. Those currently include: Finance, Board Development, DEI, Corporate Partnership, and Volunteer Advisory.
How much time is required?
Approximately 30-50 hours are required annually. Some typical time commitments include:
- Every other month virtual board meetings (total of 12 hours in meetings, plus prep time)
- Full-day annual board retreat in Portland (total of 8 hours in meetings, plus prep time)
- Committee work (total of 6 hours in meetings, plus prep time)
- Smaller or One-on-one meetings (total of 4 hours)
The Future We Envision
Financial Beginnings has a clear vision of the society we want to create and how best to get there.