Governance Chair

About the Esperanza Education Fund

The Esperanza Education Fund (EEF) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting immigrant students in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. EEF provides higher-education scholarships and community support to students regardless of nationality, immigration status, or country of origin.

Position Overview

This position at EEF is one of several openings on the board. We encourage applicants to additionally consider applying as a Development Committee Member, and/or General Board positions focused on event planning, communications, and/or community engagement. Please find the full list of available positions at EEF’s Idealist page.

The Governance Chair oversees the Esperanza Education Fund’s governance framework to ensure the Board operates effectively, ethically, and in accordance with nonprofit best practices. This role is ideal for candidates with legal, nonprofit, and/or nonprofit governance experience who can strengthen Board operations and support EEF’s long-term strategic goals.

General Board Responsibilities

All Development Committee Members also serve as EEF Board Members and take on the following organization-wide responsibilities. Total estimated volunteer commitment is 15-20 hours per month.

• Mission Stewardship: Uphold and advance the mission of EEF, helping define strategies and voting on essential board business.
• Meeting Attendance: Participate in quarterly in-person board meetings in the DMV area.
• Engagement: Take part in EEF events, committee meetings, working sessions, and other organizational activities.
• Fundraising Commitment: Contribute to EEF’s fundraising goals through personal giving and network engagement (board members commit to at least $50/month, or $20/month for board members under 30).
• Ambassadorship: Serve as a representative of EEF in the community, helping increase visibility and impact.

General Board Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Self-driven, entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to lead and execute hands-on activities
• Strong collaboration skills; effective team builder and empathetic team participant
• Familiarity with social impact, immigrant rights, education equity, or related fields
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Availability for in-person participation within the DMV area
• Experience in revenue generation and donations

Governance Chair–Specific Responsibilities

We’re seeking candidates with legal, non-profit and/or non-profit governance experience. Role-specific responsibilities include:

• Carry out the responsibilities of a Board Secretary
• Ensure compliance with non-profit law and governance best practices
• Maintain board records, oversee onboarding, and lead board performance assessments
• Facilitate effective board decision-making and strategic planning processes
• Promote EEF across the nonprofit ecosystem in the DC area

Benefits

• Play a leadership role in advancing educational and professional opportunities for immigrant students in the DC metro area
• Become part of a diverse, mission-driven community of professionals
• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit governance, fundraising, and program oversight
• Contribute meaningfully to a growing, high-impact organization