COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

BOARD CONNECTION

Spring 2026 Registration Open Now!

Are you looking to make lasting, impactful change as a nonprofit board member?  Enroll in our fully virtual Spring 2026 Board Connection program! Learn what to expect, how to find a board to serve on and the foundational elements of nonprofit board service. This 4-part course will introduce new skills and demonstrate how to strengthen and apply your current skills.

Cost: $500

Scholarships Available Upon completion of the 4 weekly sessions, you will be prepared to join a nonprofit board and find a successful match. The training dives into everything from board governance to understanding basic finance and fundraising. You will also have the opportunity to meet nonprofit agency partners with open board positions, polish and practice your new skills, and access resources through our Board Connection Portal. The cost to attend Board Connection is $500, and many employers will reimburse this cost as a leadership training opportunity. As we work together to increase access of underrepresented communities to serve on nonprofit boards in our region, United Way’s Corporate Partner, Sun Life is sponsoring spots (at no cost) for those with lived experience who are underrepresented such as race, gender, age, ethnicity among others. Limited scholarships are also available. For additional information on either of these opportunities, please email engagement@supportunitedway.org.

BOARD CONNECTION CURRICULUM

NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERSHIP 101

March 17, 2026 Dive into the critical aspects of nonprofit boards, understand foundational elements of board governance and learn best practices from experienced nonprofit professionals and board members sharing advice and their most challenging experiences.  

Fundraising

March 24, 2026 Don’t let fundraising deter you from joining a board. Become a fundraising pro. Learn how to fundraise effectively from experienced nonprofit development professionals and understand what fundraising role you might have as a nonprofit board member.   

Finance

March 31, 2026 What you need to know about nonprofit finance , including D&O insurance, the 990 form and what a healthy nonprofit budget looks like.  

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

April 7, 2026 Explore what diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging really mean and learn how you can apply this lens to your board work.  

Board Connection Portal

United Way’s Board Connection portal provides a critical resource to the Greater Boston community, connecting mission-driven individuals and local nonprofits to form long-lasting partnerships. Create a profile, browse or post open board positions, and communicate back and forth. All training sessions are run through the Board Connection platform. Upon registration, you will be provided with instructions on how to create your profile in order to gain access to the sessions. If you are part of a nonprofit that is looking for board/committee members and would like to share this information, please complete the survey.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Join us as an agency partner or sponsor

Are you an agency looking for board/committee members? Please complete the survey below. If you know of any promising candidates or are looking for board training please share this program information.

SUPPORT DIVERSE BOARDS

Board Connection sponsorship is a meaningful way to advance your DEI goals, provide professional development opportunities for employees, and deepen your commitment to the communities where you do business.