What are the responsibilities and job description for the Founding Board Member position at What's the Plan?
About What’s the Plan?
What’s the Plan? is a new nonprofit organization in development focused on helping Black students in grades 10–12 throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore County prepare for life after high school.
Our goal is to give students greater access to the information, experiences, resources, and relationships they need to confidently answer one important question: What’s the plan after graduation?
The organization is being developed around four key areas:
- College & Postsecondary Readiness: College exploration, applications, essays, campus tours, interviews, and first-generation college readiness
- Trades, Military & Workforce Exploration: Exposure to career pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route
- Professional & Life Skills: Financial literacy, public speaking, professional etiquette, social media best practices, and other practical skills students can carry into adulthood
- Culture, Community & Wellness: Community service, Black history and culture, exposure to community organizations, and mental and physical wellness
As we prepare to launch our first programs, we are building our founding Board of Directors and looking for individuals who believe in the mission and want to help build something meaningful from the ground up.
About the Board
Founding Board Members will play an active role in helping establish the foundation of What’s the Plan? This is an opportunity to do more than attend meetings. Board members will help shape the organization's direction, strengthen its community presence, connect it with resources, and support its long-term sustainability.
We are especially interested in professionals with experience or connections in:
- Nonprofit governance and legal
- Fundraising, development and donor relations
- Finance, banking and financial management
- Education and youth development
- Community engagement and partnerships
- Human resources
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Marketing, communications and public relations
Professional expertise is important, but so is a genuine interest in creating opportunities for Black youth in Baltimore.
Board Member Responsibilities
Founding Board Members will be expected to:
- Attend and actively participate in monthly board meetings
- Help establish and strengthen the organization's governance and overall direction
- Serve as an ambassador for What’s the Plan? within their personal and professional networks
- Support fundraising efforts and help identify potential donors, sponsors, partners and other resources
- Provide expertise, guidance and connections based on their professional or community experience
- Participate in or support organizational events and student programming when available
- Work collaboratively with fellow board members and the Founder to help grow the organization responsibly
There is no mandatory personal give/get requirement at this time, but board members will be expected to actively support fundraising and resource development.
Who We're Looking For
You may be a great fit if you:
- Care about expanding opportunities and exposure for Black high school students
- Have professional, community or nonprofit experience that can contribute to the organization's growth
- Have ties to or familiarity with Baltimore City and/or Baltimore County
- Are comfortable using your skills, experiences and network to help move the mission forward
- Are willing to be part of the building process of a new nonprofit
- Can commit to regular board participation and a two-year board term
- Value collaboration, accountability and community impact
Prior board experience is welcome, but not required. We are also interested in professionals who have never served on a nonprofit board but have valuable expertise, community relationships, or lived and professional experiences to contribute.
About This Opportunity
This is a volunteer Board of Directors position.
Because What’s the Plan? is currently in development, founding board members will have a unique opportunity to help shape the organization during its earliest stages, including its governance, community partnerships, fundraising strategy, programming, and long-term growth.
We are looking for people who don't simply want their name associated with a board. We want people who are excited about helping build one.
Interested?
Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest sharing why the mission of What’s the Plan? and the opportunity to serve as a founding board member are meaningful to you.
Selected applicants will be invited to an introductory conversation to learn more about What’s the Plan?, discuss the founding board's role, and explore whether the opportunity is a good fit for both the applicant and the organization.
We look forward to connecting with professionals who are excited about helping build a strong foundation for What’s the Plan? and creating more opportunities for Black students throughout the Baltimore area.
Expected hours: 1.0 – 3.0 per week
Application Question(s):
- Brief Statement of Interest
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Baltimore, MD (Baltimore County)