Executive Search for Nonprofit Organizations

Are you a member of a board or search committee tasked with finding an outstanding leader for your organization? As specialists in nonprofit executive search, we can help. We know that an exceptional leader adds much more value than an acceptable leader.

Most BoardWalk searches are national in scope. Many of our clients, even those serving locally focused missions, request a comprehensive search into multiple geographic markets. We routinely work across the U.S. and as a member of Panorama, a global network of leading independent executive search firms, we are active over the world’s major time zones. With this strength at our disposal, we can access top talent, worldwide.

Executive Search for Nonprofit Organizations

Are you a member of a board or search committee tasked with finding an outstanding leader for your organization? As specialists in nonprofit executive search, we can help. We know that an exceptional leader adds much more value than an acceptable leader.

Most BoardWalk searches are national in scope. Many of our clients, even those serving locally focused missions, request a comprehensive search into multiple geographic markets. We routinely work across the U.S. and as a member of Panorama, a global network of leading independent executive search firms, we are active over the world’s major time zones. With this strength at our disposal, we can access top talent, worldwide.

BoardWalk’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our respect for the power of diversity is deep, and we are unapologetic in our efforts to ensure inclusivity in our team, in our approach, and in the results for our clients.

Our work reflects this over the arc of time. Just under half of our placements are leaders of color, and a majority are women.

Highly diverse clients

The majority of our searches are for CEOs, often for leaders succeeding iconic, long-serving CEOs, with the balance for board members and C-suite executives. Our clients are highly diverse—in missions and markets served—and so is our own team. And since we have recruited CEOs for dozens of foundations as well as hundreds of operating nonprofits, we offer a perspective informed by both sides of the funding stream.

In short, we respect and leverage the power inherent in diversity, and the benefit to our clients is significant.

Matching passion with purpose

We come to work every day excited to connect with clients and candidates. Our goal is to recruit exceptional leaders who will make a significant, lasting difference in your organization.

In finding leaders that matter for missions that matter^®, we identify and recruit top talent by deploying:

The latest business disciplines and research tools employed by traditional for-profit executive search firms
The passion, tenacity and commitment to mission that’s integral to success in the nonprofit sector
The creativity and flexibility to frame our searches in new and unexpected ways.

We commit the time upfront to understand the organization, focusing on issues of context and culture. What does it mean to work here? What gets celebrated in the hallways? How do we honor the heritage of the past while embracing the future? How do we define success, now and in the future? What matters most?

“You were masterful in helping us define the future we would like to achieve, and then you found us the leader to take us there. Well done indeed!”

~Chair, CEO search committee, major operating nonprofit

Trusted by leading nonprofits
& foundations nationwide

FOUNDATIONS

INTERNATIONAL

CIVIL RIGHTS / SOCIAL JUSTICE / ADVOCACY

ENVIRONMENT / CONSERVATION

FAITH-BASED

EDUCATION

YOUTH / YOUTH SERVICES

HUMAN SERVICES

ECONOMIC MOBILITY

“BoardWalk's process works, their service is stellar and results are assured. They really understand nonprofit needs.”

~CEO, Major multinational non-profit

Our Search Process

A BoardWalk search typically takes four to five months and includes these essential steps:

Leadership Profile

Month 1

Search committee chair communicates overall plan to staff
Kickoff meeting held with search committee; private discussions also held with an array of stakeholders, internal and external, as agreed
Leadership Profile and search strategy are drafted for committee’s review and approval
Research and sourcing begin in earnest

1

Benchmark Review

Months 2-3

Sourcing and preliminary discussions intensify
Benchmark review is held with client to share market feedback and review preliminary slate of representative prospects
Based on committee feedback, search strategy is refined as needed, and more targeted discussions commence with prospects

2

Candidate Interviews

Months 3-4

BoardWalk reviews emerging finalists with search committee, recommends slate for candidate interviews
Briefing books are prepared and distributed, and committee convenes for two consecutive half-days for first-round interviews
Subset of finalists is invited back for second round discussions
Transition and communications plans are drafted

3

Offer Negotiations

Months 4-5

Search committee conducts further discussions with 2-3 favored finalists
Full references commence for most favored candidate(s)
Search committee reaches consensus
BoardWalk negotiates acceptable offer with final candidate and documents agreement-to-agree, always subject to board ratification
Transition and communications plans are reviewed with nominee

4

Transition Management

Months 5-6

Search committee conveys recommendation for Board vote, arranges appropriate introductions
Board confirms appointment, sets start date
Communications plan is implemented
Ongoing: BoardWalk works with client leadership and the new leader to ensure a smooth transition and long tenure

5

What Our Clients Say

The smartest, most conscientious, efficient and responsibly priced outfit

“If you are looking for a search firm, I recommend BoardWalk Consulting. I have worked with probably 20 search companies, and BoardWalk was by far the smartest, most conscientious, efficient and responsibly priced outfit I have experienced.”

~ CEO, major US foundation and chair of a technology-based nonprofit’s CEO search committee

Superior search process

“The wisdom of our selection of BoardWalk Consulting to lead our CEO search was confirmed at every step of the process. If you engage BoardWalk, I have every confidence that you will have a superior search process, and you will be thankful you did.”

~Chair, CEO search committee, nonprofit broadcaster

Exceeded our expectations

“[We] needed a partner who could help us work through the extensive planning, research and facilitation of process needed to find our next great leader. From day one, BoardWalk exceeded our expectations. BoardWalk facilitated a process that resulted in a unanimous vote for a next-generation leader.”

~Chair, CEO search committee, national nonprofit transitioning from an iconic CEO in the role for over 30 years

Terrific job

“BoardWalk was interested in – and good at – understanding the strategy of our organization and the culture in which the executive would have to fit. They did a terrific job.”

Appreciate the work and heart you brought

“Without BoardWalk Consulting leading our executive search, the outcome would not have been as good. I truly appreciate the work and heart you brought to the effort.”

~Chair, CEO search committee, important civil rights organization

Seamless process

“Thank you for all you did to make this search process seamless and, most importantly, very effective. We have very strong leadership.”

~Chair, CEO search committee, regional housing organization

Professional and responsive

“BoardWalk Consulting is great to work with. I have worked with them on several searches and have always been impressed. I have found them to be thorough, professional, responsive to our needs and very well organized. I will continue to recommend them highly.”

~Experienced search committee chair, a veteran of numerous regional and national boards

High quality

“BoardWalk provided a high quality experience. They found the exact right candidate to lead our launch, and ten years later they found the exact right person to succeed him upon retirement.”

~Board chair (1st time) and search committee chair (2nd time), regional health legacy foundation

Talented leadership

“BoardWalk helped us identify talented leadership who would help drive the work of this organization. That is something that I greatly treasure.”

~Chair of the board, one of the largest human services nonprofits in a major market

Experienced expert

“Boardwalk Consulting took control of our search. I felt I was in the hands of an experienced expert.”

Respect

“I was disappointed by the outcome, but I greatly appreciate the respect you showed throughout the process.”

~#2 finalist in a regional foundation’s CEO search

The best experience

“I’ve worked with several [ search firms ] over the last seven years. And without qualification, the best experience I’ve had was with Boardwalk Consulting. Their diligence, thoroughness and care were extraordinary [and] simply been unmatched by any other search experience I’ve had. Note that this testimonial comes from a guy who didn’t get the job!”

~#2 finalist in the CEO search for a major regional nonprofit, the third largest of its kind in the country

Sensitive, supportive and creative

“BoardWalk was a wonderful resource for us. They were consistently sensitive to our culture, supportive of our aspirations and creative in their approach.”

Diligent counsel

“On behalf of our partners and supporters in the goal to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness, thank you for your diligent counsel.”

Above and beyond

“BoardWalk went above and beyond to help us in every way we needed help. I have an excitement and confidence about the future that before I only hoped to have.”

Saved time

“I cannot believe how much time your approach saved us!”

Value

“You didn’t charge us enough for the service you delivered.”

~Chair of a nonprofit board recruiting its 5th CEO in 5 years. Our placement recently celebrated his 10th anniversary with the organization, which is now four times larger (in both revenues and assets) than when he started.

You have earned our trust

“You have earned our trust and shown us what great search work looks like. It is a pleasure to be able to work with a true staffing partner as opposed to many "search firm vendors" that I have worked with over my career.”

~Chief Operating Officer, major nonprofit operating in multiple communities nationwide

Customer service and results are differentiating

“BoardWalk’s process, customer service and results are differentiating. Together, we have recruited leaders who can take our superb development model to scale, to help more people out of poverty and hunger.”

~CEO, major international nonprofit for which BoardWalk recruited much of the senior executive team

Confidence and professionalism

“Thank you for the excellent job you and your team did on the CEO search for [us]. It is a daunting task to find a successor to a founder and yet you approached it with confidence and professionalism.”

~Search committee chair, mid-sized NGO with global reach

Understand nonprofit needs

“BoardWalk's process works, their service is stellar and results are guaranteed. They really understand nonprofit needs.”

~CEO, Major multinational non-profit

Fantastic job

“It was an absolute pleasure to work with the BoardWalk team. They did a fantastic job guiding us through the search process.”

Exemplary

“It's clear to all of us why BoardWalk Consulting is such a busy place: Expertise, talent, discipline and caring. You and your team are exemplary.”

~Chair, regional association of grantmakers following the CEO search

Thank you!

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! Because of you, we know more about ourselves, our strategy and our possibilities as an organization.”

Just the best

“What a pleasure to work with BoardWalk during our search for our new leader! Your reputation is stellar and you were just the best. Many thanks!”

Delivered with excellence

“BoardWalk far exceeded all expectations – they delivered on their promise with excellence.”

Trust to find the very best people

“BoardWalk made wonderful finds that make our team super strong. I cannot thank them enough. There is no one I trust more than you to find the very best people.”

Dove deep

“BoardWalk dove deep to get to know our organization. I would highly recommend Boardwalk and will use them again if the opportunity presents itself.”

FAQs

The vast majority of the CEO search committees we serve are charged with identifying, attracting, vetting and recommending a final candidate to become CEO of their respective organizations. The final hiring decision always rests with the full board, of course, but we have never had a board reject its search committee’s recommendation.

Clearly, the CEO search committee is a critically important arm of the board.

There are many protocols governing the establishment of these committees. The ideal size, the meeting frequency, the pros and cons of taking formal notes, respect for confidentiality, even the form of the search committee’s mandate are topics of much interest. Surely an early key to the committee’s success is the choice of individuals asked to serve on the committee, and thus we’ll tackle this issue first.

Two cautions before we share our views with you:

One, every nonprofit CEO search is unique in its own way, and yours will differ in some fashion from the last we conducted or the next one we undertake.
Two, committees are made up of people, and people are full of surprises. We’ve seen individuals who meet none of the criteria below make exceptional search committee members, and we’ve seen some who meet every criterion prove to be ineffectual.

Executive Search for Nonprofit Organizations

Executive Search for Nonprofit Organizations

BoardWalk’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Highly diverse clients

Matching passion with purpose

“You were masterful in helping us define the future we would like to achieve, and then you found us the leader to take us there. Well done indeed!”

Trusted by leading nonprofits& foundations nationwide

“BoardWalk's process works, their service is stellar and results are assured. They really understand nonprofit needs.”

Our Search Process

Leadership Profile

Month 1

Benchmark Review

Months 2-3

Candidate Interviews

Months 3-4

Offer Negotiations

Months 4-5

Transition Management

Months 5-6

What Our Clients Say

The smartest, most conscientious, efficient and responsibly priced outfit

Superior search process

Exceeded our expectations

Terrific job

Appreciate the work and heart you brought

Seamless process

Professional and responsive

High quality

FAQs

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Trusted by leading nonprofits
& foundations nationwide

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