On BOARD® recruits and trains Chicago’s business leaders to become effective board members and places them with nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. On BOARD candidates receive extensive training in nonprofit board governance and the fundraising, financial oversight, legal and fiduciary responsibilities of board members. During the four-month program, candidates are introduced to participating organizations and are finally matched with one organization based on compatibility between the mission and the candidate’s interest, as well as the candidate’s professional skills and the organization’s needs. Candidates complete a board member apprenticeship with their matched organization prior to being elected to the board.
Since 1999, the Arts & Business Council has placed over 150 business professionals on nonprofit arts boards. Board candidates have come from a wide range of companies throughout Chicago, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boston Consulting Group, The Segal Company, IBM, The Northern Trust Company, McDonalds, and Chicago Federal Reserve Bank.
How to Apply
For information on
important changes to the 2009 On BOARD®
program, including the
new fee structure for arts organizations and new program format,
click here.The application deadline for 2009 On BOARD® arts organizations is:
December 3, 2008
Download On BOARD Application for arts organizations. Instructions for completing and returning the application are provided on the form.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be a client of the Arts & Business Council to apply to the On BOARD® program. For information on becoming a client,
click here to learn more.
Once accepted into the 2009 On BOARD® program, organizations receive two training sessions on board member recruitment, cultivation, orientation, and development. Following the training sessions, participating organizations are invited to attend a networking event to meet the 2009 On BOARD® candidates. This event marks the beginning of the cultivation process, followed by one-on-one meetings with candidates, iniviting candidates to attend organizational activties or performances, and offering interested candidates the opportunity to shadow a board meeting. The process ends when a candidate and an organization mutually agree on a match, triggering the board apprenticeship period prior to the candidate being elected to the board.
It is marvelous to get board members trained in the language and expectations of board service. It is also wonderful to have board members who are eager to join and participate on a board.
-River North Dance Company
The participants are very well trained in their responsibilities before they get to the organization…Having had their intensive training; they show up very enthusiastic and eager to try out their new knowledge helping the organization.”
-International Music Foundation
“Since my involvement in On BOARD which led to my joining the board of Muntu Dance Theater, I’m making an impact and experiencing success in an industry outside the business and finance arena. I feel fulfilled and challenged in a whole new way.”
-Kym Hubbard, Board of Directors, Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago