Nonprofit advisory board: What it is & how to build one

Most executive directors wish their boards included major donors, lawyers, and industry experts. But many of those people don’t want the legal and fiduciary responsibilities that come with serving on a board of directors.

A nonprofit advisory board gives you another way to tap into that expertise. They’re ideal when you need strategic advice or access to hard-to-reach networks without asking advisors to take on governance responsibilities.

Learn the benefits of a nonprofit advisory board, how to build one, and the tools that help you track introductions and increase fundraising.

Key takeaways

• Know the difference 🔍 Advisory boards advise, while boards of directors govern.
• Optional yet powerful 💪 There’s no legal requirement to have an advisory board, but they can be a valuable strategic asset.
• Build the right structure 🏗️ Set clear expectations and align board size, term length, and meeting frequency with your organization’s needs.
• Look for connectors 🤝 Seek out advisors who can introduce you to major donors, sponsors, and foundation program officers. 
• Create a pipeline for your board of directors 🌱 Use your advisory board to evaluate candidates before offering them a seat on your board of directors.

What is a nonprofit advisory board?

A nonprofit advisory board is a group of individuals that provides strategic expertise, guidance, and access to valuable networks without the legal authority of a board of directors. Advisory board members have no fiduciary duties and don’t vote on governance matters. Instead, they provide insight and specialized knowledge. 

Advisory board vs. board of directors: What’s the difference?

Members of advisory boards and the board of directors are both volunteers, but only the board of directors is subject to legal requirements. Here’s how they compare:

Learn more

Get to know the main nonprofit board member roles, duties, & best practices →

Why nonprofits create advisory boards

Organizations recruit advisory board members for different reasons, but the same three come up again and again: access to expertise, fundraising connections, and a pipeline for future board of directors members. 

Access to expertise without hiring 🎓

Advisory boards allow you to bring in specialized knowledge without expanding your staff or board of directors. You can invite professionals who don’t have the time or interest to take on fiduciary obligations to share their expertise in a low-pressure setting, such as: 

• Lawyers
• Accountants
• Marketers
• Sector specialists

The exact mix will depend on your organization. Fill any knowledge and skill gaps you have on your board of directors by bringing in advisors with specialized expertise. 

Fundraising connections and major donor introductions 💰

Advisory board members aren’t held to the same “give/get” expectations as your board of directors, but their networks can still generate significant fundraising results by introducing you to:

• Major donors
• Influential community members
• Corporate sponsors
• Grantmakers
• Foundation program officers

For example, an advisor might introduce your executive director to a corporate giving manager, make a warm introduction to a major donor in their network, or recommend your organization to a foundation program officer.

The right introduction can be more valuable than a board member’s professional expertise. Track those connections in Givebutter's nonprofit CRM so you can log relationship history, monitor progress, and make sure every opportunity receives the right follow-up.

Dive deeper

Your guide to nonprofit board fundraising roles, expectations, & best practices →

A pipeline for future directors 🌱

Advisory boards can act as a trial run for board of directors openings. Individuals can experience what it’s like to act as a strategic advisor without the governance responsibilities, and nonprofits can evaluate each person's contributions. Think of it as a “try-before-you-buy” scenario that’s a win-win for both parties.

Use this time to evaluate these skills: 

• Communication
• Fundraising
• Relationship building
• Problem solving
• Finance and governance
• Creativity and innovation

Once you’re confident that the member would be a good fit, meet with them to discuss the possibility of them taking on a greater role within your board of directors.

💡 Pro tip: As well as serving as a test run for future board of directors members, your advisory board can also be an ideal role for retired board members whose knowledge you don’t want to lose after their term ends.

Learn more

How to recruit the right nonprofit board members →

How to build a nonprofit advisory board in 4 steps

The strongest advisory boards are built with intention. Here’s your step-by-step guide to establishing one that helps your nonprofit grow. 

Step 1: Define the purpose 🗺️

Get clear on why you need an advisory board and what role they’ll play in the future of your nonprofit. Once you know your “why,” write a one-paragraph statement that covers: 

• The purpose of your advisory board
• How it ties into the broader goals of your nonprofit

💡 Pro tip: Include your purpose statement in recruiting materials and every new member’s welcome packet. It offers advisors a clear reference point and helps everyone stay aligned.

Step 2: Create the structure 👷

Next, decide how your advisory board will be structured. It should be big enough to include enough experts, but small enough to be efficient. You’ll also want to set term length and meeting frequency, so would-be members know what to expect. 

Establish clear expectations: 

• Board size: 5–15 members is common for a nonprofit advisory board.
• Term length: One-year or two-year terms are popular, but it depends on your board’s purpose. Some are temporary, e.g., to support the implementation of a specific program.
• Meeting frequency: Quarterly meetings are standard.

Transparency about commitments is key. Clearly communicate the expected time commitment, meeting cadence, term length, and responsibilities upfront so prospective advisors can decide whether the role is the right fit.

Step 3: Identify & recruit the right members 🎯

Decide what makes an ideal advisory board member, and use that criteria to guide your recruitment strategy and find the right candidates. Look for individuals with relevant experience and genuine mission alignment.

Potential advisory board members could include:

• Current board nominations
• Volunteer leaders
• Event attendees
• Major donor prospects
• Community leaders
• Former members of your board of directors

Share a clear advisory role description outlining expectations and benefits. Make it easy for prospects to apply or schedule a discovery call. 

💡 Pro tip: Many high-net-worth individuals are seeking meaningful ways to give back. Emphasize active participation in your role description to attract these individuals. 

Step 4: Activate your advisory board for fundraising 💰

Encourage new advisors to get involved in fundraising right away. Invite them to help with tasks like:

• Reviewing prospect lists
• Making warm introductions
• Attending donor cultivation events

Be available to support your board members with advice, fundraising materials, and tools that make their role easier.

Build your advisory board with Givebutter

Advisory boards can significantly expand your fundraising reach through access to major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation leaders. Every introduction needs to be tracked so no opportunity slips through the cracks.

Givebutter's nonprofit CRM helps you organize every advisory-sourced connection, store contact history and notes, segment advisor-referred donors, and monitor fundraising progress in one place. That means fewer missed opportunities and more meaningful relationships that turn introductions into lasting support.

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Sign up for Givebutter for free and turn your advisory board's network into stronger donor relationships.

FAQs about nonprofit advisory boards

What is the difference between an advisory board and a board of directors? 

A board of directors has legal governance authority and fiduciary duties, while an advisory board has neither but instead provides expertise and strategic guidance.

Do nonprofits need an advisory board? 

An advisory board isn’t required, but it can be helpful when your organization wants access to specific expertise or networks without expanding its board of directors. While 501(c)(3) nonprofits need a board of directors, an advisory board is optional.

How many people should be on a nonprofit advisory board?

There’s no set board size requirement, but they’re commonly 5–15 members. Focus on quality over quantity: a smaller engaged advisory board with the right connections beats a large yet passive one. Align the size of your advisory board with how often you plan to meet and what you expect members to do.

Are advisory board members paid?

In the nonprofit sector, advisory service is usually volunteer-based. Some nonprofit organizations offer stipends or in-kind benefits, but it’s not required.

How do I get the most out of my advisory board?

Advisory board members are most successful when they have the tools and support they need. Set clear expectations, meet regularly, and track impact in a nonprofit CRM like Givebutter.