The Primary Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Board Member

It’s an exciting ask. Maybe a colleague or friend reached out, told you about an organization doing incredible work, and said something like: “We’d love to have you on our board.”

You’re honored—and maybe just a bit unsure what that actually means.

If you’ve never served on a nonprofit board before, you’re not alone in wondering: What exactly am I signing up for?

At FPLG, we work with boards across the country every day—from brand-new grassroots organizations to major philanthropic institutions—and one thing is constant: the most effective board members are the ones who start by learning what’s expected of them. So let’s walk through what it really means to serve on a board, and how you can step confidently into your new role.

Your Legal Role: Not Just a Title

Let’s start with the legal stuff, because it’s foundational. Every nonprofit board member has three core fiduciary duties: care, loyalty, and obedience. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re legal obligations, and in some states including California, they’re codified into the California Nonprofit Corporations Code.

The duty of care means you commit to showing up prepared, reviewing materials, asking thoughtful questions, and making informed decisions. It’s about giving the role your attention and diligence.

The duty of loyalty requires you to act in the best interest of the organization at all times—not yourself, your business, or your personal causes. If there’s even a whiff of a conflict of interest, you’re expected to disclose it and step back.

And the duty of obedience? That’s about staying true to the nonprofit’s mission and ensuring the organization follows its bylaws, state and federal laws, and its own policies.

These three duties form the backbone of board service. Understanding them helps protect the nonprofit—and you—from legal and reputational risks.

You’re Here to Lead Strategically, Not Manage Daily Operations

It’s a common misconception: new board members often think they’re stepping into a role that involves running the organization. But nonprofits aren’t looking for board members to micromanage the staff—they need strategic thinkers.

As a board member, your job is to keep the long view in mind. Are the organization’s programs aligned with its mission? Is it adapting to changes in the community? Are resources being allocated wisely?

This is what we mean by mission oversight and strategic leadership. You’re there to help chart the course—not steer the ship hour by hour. It’s a balancing act, and one that’s essential to get right early on.

And when questions come up about where your role ends and the staff’s begins (they will!), it helps to remember that your power is collective. You act as a governing body—not as an individual decision-maker. For more on this, see Nonprofit Boards: How Effective Are They?

Fundraising: It’s a Team Effort (and Yes, It’s Part of the Job)

Fundraising is one of the top areas where new board members feel a little queasy. Maybe you’ve never asked anyone for money before. Maybe you’re not sure how fundraising and governance even go together.

But here’s the truth: supporting fundraising isn’t optional. That doesn’t mean you have to cold-call strangers or throw galas (unless you want to!). But it does mean that you’re expected to contribute meaningfully—whether that’s through your own donation, making introductions, thanking donors, or sharing the organization’s story with your network.

Even beyond direct fundraising, you’ll play a key role in financial stewardship. That includes reviewing budgets, monitoring financial reports, and ensuring transparency around how funds are used. You don’t have to be a CPA—but you should be comfortable asking questions and learning what the numbers mean.

Your oversight here is what ensures the nonprofit stays accountable and sustainable. And yes, even reviewing the Form 990 is part of your responsibility.

Your Relationship with the Executive Director Matters—A Lot

One of the most important dynamics in any nonprofit is the relationship between the board and the Executive Director (or CEO). This person is the leader the board hires, evaluates, and supports—and your partnership with them can significantly influence how the organization runs.

Board members are not the Executive Director’s boss, per se. You don’t oversee their daily schedule. But as a body, the board is responsible for ensuring strong leadership is in place, and for evaluating the Executive Director’s performance based on clear goals and expectations.

This relationship thrives on mutual respect and open communication. When things go well, the Executive Director brings ideas and updates to the board; the board offers strategic guidance, not interference. When this balance is off—when the board tries to manage staff, or the Executive Director excludes the board from decision-making—the entire organization can suffer.

For a deeper look at this critical relationship, check out The Delicate Dance of the Nonprofit Board and Staff and its companion piece, More On The Nonprofit Board-Staff Dance.

You Are Now an Advocate for the Mission

Whether or not you realize it, once you join a nonprofit board, you become a public face of the organization.

That doesn’t mean you’re doing press interviews or leading campaigns—though you might. More often, it looks like casually talking about the nonprofit’s work at a dinner party, reposting an impact story on social media, or inviting a friend to a community event.

This role is about visibility and credibility. The community looks to board members to model confidence in the organization. When you share the mission with excitement, others are more likely to trust, support, and engage with the cause.

In Some “Recommended Practices” for Nonprofit Boards, we emphasize that being a mission ambassador isn’t an extra credit assignment—it’s core to the board’s leadership.

Serving with Confidence and Purpose

Joining a nonprofit board is a commitment—and it’s one that can be deeply rewarding. You’ll build relationships, grow as a leader, and contribute to something larger than yourself. You’ll learn how organizations really work, and how missions come to life through governance, planning, and community engagement.

But more than anything, you’ll be helping a cause you care about move forward.