In 2024, millennials are in a pivotal stage of their lives. Now between the ages of 28 and 43, many are balancing career growth, family responsibilities, and a strong desire to give back to causes they care about. For nonprofits, recruiting and engaging millennials on your nonprofit board is a fantastic opportunity, but it requires an understanding of how this generation works and what motivates them.
Millennials in 2024: Balancing Careers, Family and the Drive to Give Back
Consider Sarah, a 35-year-old marketing director at a tech company. Her life is a whirlwind of back-to-back meetings, managing a team, and helping her two young kids with homework. Despite her packed schedule, Sarah is passionate about supporting local education initiatives and wants to get more involved with nonprofits in her community.
Like many millennials, Sarah is looking for ways to contribute her skills and experience to causes she believes in. But with the demands of her career and family, she needs flexibility and purpose in her board commitments. She’s not interested in a position that’s purely for prestige—she wants to make a real impact without being overwhelmed by unnecessary busywork.
How can an executive director engage someone like Sarah and keep her committed to the board? Let’s explore the key strategies to engaging millennials on nonprofit boards.
1. Offer Flexibility and Leverage Technology
Millennials value flexibility, especially when balancing careers and families. Executive directors should ensure that board participation is as accessible and convenient as possible. This means embracing technology and offering flexible meeting and communication options.
What You Can Do:
- Use Technology for Remote Participation: Tools like Boardable’s built-in video conferencing allow board members to participate virtually, making it easier for millennials to attend meetings without juggling logistics.
- Simplify Access with Mobile Apps: Boardable’s mobile app allows millennials to review documents, engage with board materials, and manage tasks on the go, ensuring they can stay involved no matter where they are.
Flexibility makes board service easier to fit into a millennial’s busy schedule and shows them that the organization respects their time.
2. Focus on Meaningful Impact, Not Prestige
Millennials are motivated by purpose over titles. They want to know that their time and effort are making a difference. Executive directors should make it clear how millennial board members can have a direct impact on the organization’s mission.
What You Can Do:
- Showcase Tangible Outcomes: Use Boardable’s task-tracking and goal-setting features to demonstrate how board initiatives are tied to meaningful outcomes. Share stories of how past board members have driven real change.
- Give Them Strategic Roles: Assign millennials to key projects where their professional skills can make an impact, whether it’s modernizing the organization’s digital strategy or leading a new fundraising initiative.
By connecting their work to clear, measurable outcomes, you can keep millennials engaged and invested in your cause.
3. Provide Autonomy and Leadership Opportunities
Millennials value autonomy and professional growth. Many are at a point in their careers where they are looking to take on leadership roles, and being part of a board is an excellent opportunity for that. Executive directors can engage millennials by giving them ownership over key initiatives.
What You Can Do:
- Create Leadership Pathways: Allow millennials to lead committees or spearhead specific initiatives. For example, if a millennial board member has expertise in social media, let them guide the board’s digital outreach efforts.
- Encourage Collaboration: Use Boardable’s communication and document-sharing tools to facilitate teamwork and ensure millennial board members feel supported in their leadership roles.
Empowering millennials with leadership opportunities deepens their connection to the board and enhances their sense of purpose.
4. Recognize and Value Their Contributions
Recognition is important to millennials. Regular feedback and acknowledgment of their efforts go a long way in keeping them engaged and motivated. Executive directors should prioritize both public and private recognition to show appreciation for millennial board members’ work.
What You Can Do:
- Publicly Acknowledge Contributions: Use Boardable’s reporting features to highlight the contributions of millennial board members during meetings, newsletters, or social media updates.
- Offer Personal Recognition: Take time for one-on-one check-ins to personally thank them for their work. Whether it’s through an email, a call, or a quick chat, this personal recognition helps build a stronger connection.
Consistent recognition makes millennials feel valued and ensures they remain committed to the board’s mission.
What Now to Do: Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While there are many strategies to engage millennials, it’s equally important to avoid common mistakes that could turn them away:
- Don’t Rely on Outdated Communication Methods: Millennials expect quick, digital communication. If your board still relies heavily on phone calls or in-person meetings, you risk losing their interest.
- Don’t Micromanage or Overload Them with Busywork: Millennials thrive on autonomy and purpose. If their contributions are focused on minor administrative tasks, they may feel undervalued.
- Don’t Underestimate Their Design for Flexibility: Rigid meeting schedules and participation requirements can push busy millennials away. Embrace remote and asynchronous communication options.
Avoiding these pitfalls ensures a more inclusive and engaging board experience for millennials.
Engaging Millennial Board Members for the Long Term
Attracting and engaging millennial board members like Sarah requires a modern approach. Executive directors must focus on providing flexibility, meaningful impact, leadership opportunities, and regular recognition to keep millennials committed and motivated.
With tools like Boardable, executive directors can streamline board management, making participation easier and more rewarding for millennials. By embracing their strengths and offering them the chance to lead and make a real impact, your organization can build a board that thrives with millennial energy, creativity, and passion.
