Joining A Nonprofit Board

Full Conversation

Intern at the USDA
What is the mission of the nonprofit organization you're considering joining? Federal employees can generally serve on nonprofit boards, but conflicts of interest must be avoided.
Climate change
What is your role in the nonprofit organization? Federal employees can serve on nonprofit boards, but they must avoid conflicts of interest.
Board director
What are the specific duties you will be performing as a board director? This will help determine if there's a potential conflict of interest with your government job.
Research and marketing work
What is the relationship between your duties at the USDA and your proposed duties at the nonprofit? This will help determine if there's a potential conflict of interest.
Applying for grants
Are you involved in grant decisions at the USDA? This could potentially create a conflict of interest if you're also applying for grants at the nonprofit.
No
Since you're not involved in grant decisions at the USDA, it's likely you can serve on the nonprofit board. However, always consult with your agency's ethics office.
What are the legal risks of joining a nonprofit board
As a board member, you could be held legally responsible for the nonprofit's actions. Are you aware of the organization's financial health and compliance with laws and regulations?
What does every nonprofit need to have to be legally protected
To be legally protected, a nonprofit should have:

- Proper registration and compliance with state and federal laws
- Adequate insurance coverage
- A strong board of directors
- Clear conflict of interest policies
- Regular financial audits.
If a nonprofit is sued, are all board members impacted or just the head founder
In a lawsuit against a nonprofit, all board members could potentially be impacted, not just the head founder. It depends on the nature of the lawsuit and the involvement of the board members.
Explain more . What if I am a student
What is your role as a student in relation to the nonprofit? Are you a volunteer, intern, or considering a board position?
Board member
As a student board member, you share the same responsibilities and potential liabilities as other board members. Are you aware of the organization's bylaws and conflict of interest policy?
No
It's important to familiarize yourself with the organization's bylaws and conflict of interest policy. These documents will guide your actions and responsibilities as a board member.
What are the legal risks of filing a 501c with my information
What is your role in filing the 501c? Are you the founder, a board member, or an employee?