Nonprofit Board Fellowship of Cause Strategy Partners
Creating opportunities for individuals who are underrepresented in nonprofit board leadership positions
The Fellowship
Cause Strategy Partners’ Nonprofit Board Fellowship was born out of our commitment to strengthen authentic leadership by connecting public and private sector leaders to nonprofit board service opportunities. The Fellowship aims to bridge the opportunity gap for individuals who are underrepresented in nonprofit board leadership positions.
Through the Fellowship, Cause Strategy Partners works to strengthen nonprofit governance by increasing the range of skills, personal experiences, and professional backgrounds present in boardrooms. The Fellowship is an important aspect of Cause Strategy Partners’ social impact mission to elevate and transform leadership in the social good sector.
The Fellowship connects talented individuals across the United States to nonprofit board roles, and, once elected, provides the training and support needed to excel – all at no cost.
Our Nonprofit Board Fellowship is designed for:
Mid- to senior-level public and private sector professionals from a variety of backgrounds, with 8+ years of work experience, and who are members of a community underrepresented on nonprofit Boards of Directors
Community-driven individuals seeking to become more involved in nonprofit work and find a way to serve their cause
Rising leaders looking to further their skills and connect with others in a hands-on service environment
Professionals prepared to make a commitment to nonprofit board service and the full Fellowship process, including attending all Fellowship convenings in support of building a network and community
Selected Fellows have the opportunity to:
Be matched with a top-choice, vetted nonprofit board for consideration as a future board member through Cause Strategy Partners’ flagship program, BoardLead
Become BoardLearn Certified through our 6-hour online, best-in-class board member boot camp
Access ongoing training and experts in the board governance field
Build community with other values-aligned Nonprofit Board Service Fellows via networking and customized training opportunities
Receive all of these opportunities entirely FREE of cost!
The 'Why' Behind the Fellowship:
Public and private sector leaders are seeking ways to pursue their cause area passion, develop their skills, widen their networks, and give back to their communities by serving in a community leadership position. Meanwhile, the biggest recruitment challenge that nonprofit boards face is finding a broad array of board candidates outside their existing network, including individuals who have insight into the community the organization serves, who personally understand the mission, and/or who have shared experiences with program beneficiaries.
We invite talented professionals seeking a nonprofit board seat to consider:
How would your presence in the nonprofit board room transform that space by increasing the community’s voice on the board?
If that question is motivating for you, please apply to be considered for the Fellowship!
Chrishana White, Board Member, Reading Allowed
What interested you in board service and what was the process like for you? What drew you to Reading Allowed?
I’ve always believed in showing up where I can make a meaningful difference. Growing up, I was lucky to have adults and mentors who invested in me—through programs like college access initiatives—and that support really changed the course of my life. It made me want to pay that forward in ways that felt personal and impactful.When I learned about Reading Allowed, it immediately resonated. I’ve always loved reading—it’s been both an escape and a source of strength for me—and I know firsthand how powerful literacy is in shaping someone’s future. At the time, I was working at a national literacy nonprofit with a similar mission, so the alignment felt natural. Reading Allowed’s commitment to high-quality literacy instruction spoke to me and joining the board felt like a meaningful way to contribute.
How have your personal experiences influenced your passion for Reading Allowed?
Reading has always been a big part of my life—it’s brought me joy, helped me dream, and given me access to worlds I didn’t even know existed. But I’ve also witnessed the flip side: how people are judged, overlooked, or left behind when they struggle with reading. I’ve seen the doors that stay closed for people simply because they weren’t given the support they needed early on.
That’s why this work matters so much to me. I want every child—and every person—to have the chance to experience not just the joy of reading, but the confidence and opportunities it opens up. It’s deeply personal. Reading isn’t just a skill; it’s a pathway to dignity, possibility, and connection.
Application Instructions:
Applying is as simple as attending our info session, providing some information about your interest, and if accepted, selecting the nonprofits that resonate with your passions.
Interested professionals must watch our info session, which was held on Tuesday, April 15 at 1pm ET.
Following the session, participants will be invited to apply to the Fellowship by our Tuesday, April 29 at 5pm ET deadline. The application will take ~30 minutes to complete on the BoardLead platform. This will include sharing about yourself, your motivations, your fit with the aims of the fellowship program, and what kinds of commitments you are comfortable with as it relates to nonprofit board service (i.e., financial commitments, availability, and interest in serving at the local, regional, or national level).
Professionals invited to move forward will be asked to select their top nonprofit choices and complete the 6-hour BoardLearn Good Governance Boot Camp on the basics of nonprofit board service by Wednesday, May 21. Nonprofit selection will take between 30-90 minutes to complete.
Fellowship Timeline: Spring 2025
Our Fellows have the opportunity to come together several times throughout the cohort experience for training, building relationships, and collaborative learning.
Accepted Fellows will be matched to a potential nonprofit board on Wednesday, June 18 and elections will take place by Friday, October 17, should it be a strong fit.
As a part of the opportunity, Fellows will be asked to hold key dates for four (virtual) convenings. Each session has been designed to create community, strengthen governance skills, grow networks, and create a space to reflect on and respond to the unique experiences that arise in the boardroom. These sessions will run from June through September, 2025. Themes to be explored will include:
Wed, June 11 at 12PM ET: Strengths-Based Approach to Service
Wed, July 16 at 12PM ET: Translating Your Experiences into Service
Wed, Aug 13 at 12PM ET: Finding Your Voice & Navigating Boardroom Discussions
Wed, Sept 17 at 12PM ET: Navigating Decisions and Dissent in a Diffuse Leadership Structure
Interested in joining our next cohort?
Contact us to learn more about how you can apply for our Spring 2025 Fellowship. Simply email the BoardLead team at boardleadteam@causestrategypartners.com.