Member, Board of Directors

Hopebound Board of Directors (multiple openings)

Location: Atlanta, Georgia metro area (preferred) 

Volunteer role with give/get fundraising responsibilities

About Hopebound:

Hopebound is a mental-health nonprofit in its 4th academic year of providing services to youth from marginalized communities who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or low-income. We exclusively utilize pre-licensed clinicians as our providers and invest heavily in their training and supervision, as we are committed to “taking care of the youth of today while training the therapists of tomorrow.” With an annual operating budget of $1.4M and a new CEO at the helm, Hopebound is well-positioned to enter its next phase of growth, continue our strong programmatic impact, and enter into the next chapter of scale and expansion. 

The roles:

As a valued member of the Board of Directors at Hopebound, your involvement will influence our organization's strategic course and overall effectiveness. Hopebound is currently experiencing a distinctive phase of expansion under the leadership of our CEO, supported by a dedicated full-time team, part-time contractors and consultants, four emerging clinicians, a four-member Clinical Advisory Board, and an active four-member advisory Board of Directors. We ask that all board members dedicate a minimum of one year, with a recommended commitment of two years.

To apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter or expression of interest to hello@hopebound.com by January 8, 2024. Please address your email as “[Your First and Last Name] - BOD Application.” Within your cover letter, please include the following information:

1. Please specify the Board role(s) for which you would like to be considered. 
2. Indicate your interest in leading or participating in specific Board Committee(s). 
3. Share information on how you are uniquely qualified for board leadership of this organization. 

Not sure if you should apply?

We value people of all races, genders (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientations, disabilities, citizenships, ages, religions, and national origins and who have different marital statuses, family caregiving responsibilities, lived experiences with the criminal justice systems, and genetic information. 

We are committed to developing a culture of diversity, equity, respect, and inclusion and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the communities that we serve. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these characteristics.

Primary Responsibilities

• Participate in Board Governance, Leadership, and Compliance
• Actively participate in quarterly board meetings (1 in-person and 3 virtual meetings), providing input and guidance on matters related to organizational governance, compliance, and policies.
• Lead and participate in board committees to address specific organizational needs and initiatives.
• Regularly assess the board's performance and effectiveness in fulfilling its responsibilities.
• Participate in annual board orientation and board development training. 
• Disclose and manage conflicts of interest to ensure decisions are made in the organization's best interest.

• Contribute to Community Engagement and Regional Representation
• Offer valuable insights and expertise regarding the community's specific challenges, resources, and opportunities, ensuring alignment within Hopebound regions of operations. 
• Leverage connections and professional networks to identify potential donors, partners, and funding opportunities within your organization and the local community to support the organization's financial sustainability.
• Offer guidance to the CEO during the strategic planning process, focusing on addressing the distinctive needs of youth from traditionally marginalized communities. 
• Champion efforts to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture and strategic approach, ensuring DEIB principles (Diversity, Equity, and Belonging) are integrated into all aspects of the organization's work.

• Serve on one of the following Board Committees:
• Program Committee: Provides advisory support on Hopebound’s program development strategy, actively evaluating initiatives to ensure alignment with our mission, and ensuring that Hopebound remains current with the latest youth mental health trends.
• Finance Committee: Tasked with guiding the organization’s financial strategy by reviewing and approving policies and procedures related to finances, supporting budgeting decisions, and advising on resource allocation to ensure alignment with Hopebound’s mission.
• HR/Governance Committee: Oversees HR-related matters, including approving HR salary structures, leading the CEO performance evaluation and compensation reviews, approving annual staff bonuses, and reviewing HR policies and procedures. Additionally, the committee provides advisement on staffing, salaries, hiring, retention, and HR policies to ensure effective HR management alignment with Hopebound’s goals and values.
• Community Engagement & Partnerships Committee: Provides strategic direction and advisory support for our community engagement initiatives and partnerships.
• Youth Advisory Committee: Provides valuable perspectives and insights from the youth demographic. This committee acts as a representative body, offering input, feedback, and recommendations to ensure that the decisions and strategies of the board align with the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the youth community. The Youth Advisory Committee serves as a bridge between the board and the youth (ages 10-18 years old) it aims to serve, contributing to a more inclusive and youth-focused approach in the board's decision-making processes. 
• Nominating Committee: Consists of the Board Chair, CEO, Vice Chairs, and two additional members. The Nominating Committee is responsible for forming a slate of potential Board members aligned with the organization’s mission. Members of this committee actively contribute to strategic planning, engage in board recruitment, conduct introductory meetings with potential board members, lead succession planning, and ensure regular assessments for a balanced and effective board composition. 

• For Members of the Executive Committee: Provide CEO Oversight
• Members of the Executive Committee include the Board Chair, Vice Chair of HR and Governance, Vice Chair of Operations, Communications Chair, and Financial Chair.
• Provide support, mentorship, and feedback to the CEO.
• Participate in the evaluation of and, if necessary, the hiring or termination of the CEO.
• Ensure the organization's mission and vision are clear, relevant, and aligned with its charitable purpose.

Open Roles:

Hopebound is recruiting Executive Board members to serve in the following roles. Before applying, please note the required skills, qualifications, and locations for each role.

Vice Chair, HR and Governance (Member of the Executive/Nominating Committee(s)): Oversee the organization's fiscal health, ensure compliance with financial regulations, and uphold strong governance practices

• Location: US-wide.
• Preferred Expertise & Skills:
• Deep knowledge of all matters related to human resources, including review of HR policies, procedures, and initiatives.
• Expertise in nonprofit governance best practices, including legal and regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Experience developing a talent strategy, including hiring, professional development, and performance management.
• Awareness of ethical considerations related to HR practices and governance matters.
• Knowledge of relevant labor laws, regulations, and industry standards for mitigating HR-related risks and compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Awareness of evolving HR trends, legal requirements, and industry best practices. 

Communications Chair (Member of the Executive Committee): Enhance the organization’s communication strategy and serve as the board's secretary.

• Location: US-wide.
• Preferred Expertise & Skills:
• Ability to develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy aligned with the organization's goals and mission.
• Proficiency in cultivating relationships with journalists, writing press releases, and handling media inquiries.
• Expertise in crafting clear, consistent messaging that reinforces the organization's brand and identity.
• Aptitude for managing communication during challenging situations or crises.
• Familiarity with online marketing strategies, including social media management, email marketing, and search engine optimization.
• Understanding of design principles and tools to create visually appealing materials.
• Skill in conveying the organization's impact and mission through compelling narratives.

Financial Chair (Member of the Executive Committee): Oversee financial matters and fiscal sustainability.

• Location: Atlanta metro.
• Preferred Expertise & Skills:
• Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, financial reporting, and the ability to interpret financial statements.
• Familiarity with nonprofit governance principles, legal requirements, and best practices, particularly for the state of Georgia.
• Ability to align financial strategies with the organization's mission and long-term goals.
• Proficiency in identifying and mitigating financial risks, as well as ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Ability to analyze complex financial issues and develop practical solutions.
• Commitment to high ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in financial matters.
• Familiarity with financial software and technology tools used for reporting and management.

Regional Representative: Serve as a local representative with ties to the community and focus on strengthening our engagement with local communities.

• Location: Atlanta metro.
• Preferred Expertise & Skills:
• Deep understanding of the local community's unique strengths and challenges to youth mental health.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with local leaders, organizations, and community members.
• Advocacy for and representation of the priorities and needs of the local community within the broader organizational context.
• Proficiency in building and leveraging local networks to advance the organization's regional mission and initiatives.
• Experience organizing and participating in events, forums, and initiatives that engage the local community.
• Knowledge of local funding sources, potential donors, and opportunities for financial support within the region.
• Strong dedication to driving positive change and making a tangible impact on the local community's well-being.

Skills and Qualifications for all Board roles:

• Demonstrated dedication to youth-focused organizations, ideally those who work with youth who hold marginalized identities (including, but not limited to, youth who are people of color, from a low-income background, and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community).
• Commitment to high ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in all actions and decisions.
• Awareness of and commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with a track record of effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Fearlessness in fundraising, with experience diversifying funding streams and donor portfolios to include institutional and individual donors.