“Thanks for Nothing!” (And Other Ways to Love on Your Board)

Let’s talk about the people who show up without a paycheck, but with plenty of opinions, ideas, strategic questions, and often... a fierce passion for your mission. I’m talking about your board of directors. Yes, those volunteers. The ones who dig deep into your bylaws, budgets, and big-vision dreams.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and while you’re probably knee-deep in thanking program volunteers, let’s not forget the MVPs at your nonprofit and in the boardroom who are volunteering their time, talent, and (if we’re lucky) treasure.

Board members are often the invisible backbone of our nonprofit missions—behind the scenes, rarely in the limelight, but holding it all together. And guess what? They need love too.

Here are some creative, heartfelt, and sometimes hilarious ways organizations have celebrated their board members—and how you can bring that same energy to your own board this month.

1. Make It Personal—And Delicious

The Literacy Lab in Washington, DC, went full-on heartwarming by asking staff and program participants to write handwritten thank-you notes to their board members. The twist? Each note was slipped into a custom-made cookie box with the board member’s name iced on top. That’s right—gratitude you can eat!

💡Your move: Partner with a local bakery or a board member’s favorite sweet spot and add a personal touch. No one forgets the person who sent them cookies with their name on them. Trust me.

2. Let the Clients Do the Talking

At Chicago’s Girls in the Game, young program participants created a video montage of thank-you messages for the board. Some kids shared how the organization changed their lives. Others just waved at the camera and said “Hi!” Either way, the tears flowed—and not just because the tech didn’t work on the first try.

💡Your move: A short gratitude video from clients, staff, or volunteers can have a huge emotional impact. Keep it real, keep it short, and keep the tissues handy.

3. Gamify the Gratitude

One organization I worked with—let’s call them Creative Central—hosted a virtual “Board Bingo” night with pizza and yummy munchies. Squares included things like “asked about the budget,” “used the word ‘governance,’” and “accidentally hit mute.” Prizes were small but funny (think: crown for “Most Questions Asked in One Meeting”). It was equal parts roast and recognition.

💡Your move: Inject a little fun into your board appreciation. A virtual trivia night, board member accolades, or a mock awards ceremony can build camaraderie and appreciation.

4. Swag With a Purpose

At Food Justice Now!, a food access nonprofit in Atlanta, the staff created custom tote bags that read “Board Member – Making Equity Happen Since [Year They Joined].” They filled each tote with locally sourced goodies, like hot sauce, fair-trade chocolate, and honey from a community partner.

💡Your move: Think meaningful swag that tells a story. It’s not about how much you spend—it’s about the thought behind the gift.

5. Say It Loud, Say It Proud

Organizations like PFLAG National and RAICES Texas have used their social media platforms to shout out board members individually throughout April. Sharing board bios, their “why,” and even their hidden talents (“Did you know our treasurer is also a salsa instructor?”) puts faces to names and brings humanity to governance.

💡Your move: Use your channels to publicly celebrate the humans behind your board titles. It affirms their value and shows your audience that leadership comes in many beautiful, bold forms.

The Takeaway

Appreciating your board doesn’t require a gala or gold-plated gavel. It requires intention. And if you’re reading this, you’ve already got that. So, this month, let’s make sure our boards feel seen, celebrated, and supported. After all, behind every strong executive director is a board member who said, “Sure, I’ll chair that committee” even when they didn’t know what they were signing up for.

To all the board members out there: thank you for showing up, speaking up, and standing up. We see you. We appreciate you. And yes, we’ll try to make the next board meeting shorter.

Want to turn that gratitude into year-round board engagement? I’ve got you covered. Let’s keep your board feeling valued, fired up, and in sync with your mission every step of the way.

Connect with me—Christal M. Cherry, your nonprofit board hype woman and governance guru—at www.theboardpro.com. Let’s make magic happen together.