LinkedIn ‘Board Connect’ Tool for NFPs

Photo: jeffbullas.com

The Social Network for professionals, LinkedIn, has released an online tool that it says helps Not for Profit leaders find high quality professionals to join their boards.

Called LinkedIn Board Connect, LinkedIn says connecting the right talent with the right opportunity has the potential to change the world. However, the service is only available, so far, for US NFPs.

“Since the beginning, it has been part of our culture to identify ways we can leverage what we do as a business and apply it to the social sector,” Head of Social Impact at LinkedIn, Meg Garlinghouse said.

“The good news is that professionals want to join Not for Profit boards. According to the Taproot Foundation, an estimated 87% of human resources professionals (in the US) and 92% of marketing professionals are interested in board service but far fewer actually serve on boards.

“With the launch of LinkedIn Board Connect, we are giving Not for Profit leaders the tools to help them leverage their own networks and their board members’ networks to find the right skilled professionals to join their boards.

“The Board Connect program includes free access to Talent Finder (a premium accounts focused on finding top candidates on LinkedIn), access to an exclusive educational webcast and an invitation to join the Board Connect Group on LinkedIn,” Garlinghouse said.

However, to participate, Not for Profits be a registered in the U.S.

“We are launching in limited release to give us a chance to learn from our initial participants.”

“Leading up to the launch of Board Connect, we identified several organizations in key verticals – social entrepreneurs and education leadership – and invited them to test drive the program and partner with us for launch.

“We believe these verticals are well positioned to leverage Board Connect successfully and we’re honored to have them join us as launch partners: Teach for America, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, New Schools Venture Fund and Charter Board Partners.

“It is our hope that Board Connect will enable Not for Profit leaders to find professionals with the right skills, experience and social capital to help them be successful,” Garlinghouse said.

For professionals who want to use their skills and passion to make an impact on a Not for Profit organization, LinkedIn says there are fantastic benefits to serving on a board:

• Builds your skill set: Hone the skills you currently possess while serving on a board whether you work in marketing, human resources or finance, and learn new skills that you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
• Grows your network: Meet and collaborate with other passionate and talented professionals while serving on a board and make key contacts for the future.
• Builds your brand and the nonprofit’s brand: Not only will your professional brand get a boost from serving as a board member, but you can build awareness and endorsements for that nonprofit through your participation.
• Makes you feel good for doing good: Building social capital will give you that burst of professional and personal inspiration you may be looking for, and there is nothing better than the feeling that you can put your skills to good use.

To learn more visit LinkedIn for Nonprofits resource page.