Business Leaders Play Key Role in Nonprofit Board Service
Community Foundation to host Nonprofit Board Development Event
Sioux Falls is home to hundreds of nonprofit organizations. They are feeding families, providing medical care, creating art and building resilience across our community. Name an issue, and someone in Sioux Falls is likely working to solve it.
But none of it happens alone. Every nonprofit needs a dedicated and passionate leader — and an equally dedicated and strategic board of directors to help move the organization forward and guide it through challenges. Strong board service is especially important in a community where business leaders often are asked to share their expertise with local nonprofits. Financial, legal, fundraising and leadership experience can help organizations strengthen their work and better serve the people who depend on them.
The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is among the organizations working to support that need. Late last year, the Foundation hosted nearly 100 leaders from local nonprofits for a half-day training that included financial reporting, crisis communications and how organizations can better work together.
“The overwhelming response to our event was gratitude,” said Andy Patterson, CEO of the Community Foundation. “People were hungry for connection, and they asked us to consider additional training for nonprofits.”
Now, the Community Foundation is planning twice-yearly training events. A Nonprofit Board Development event in July will provide training for current board members, nonprofit leaders and people who want to serve but aren’t sure where to start.
“There is no shortage of people who want to make our community better,” Patterson said. “We see that every day. But they don’t always know where to begin, or they’re new to serving on a board. We hope to bring people together and bridge that gap.”
The event, which is free and open to the public, will include an interactive keynote presentation and mini-boot camp from Mary Kay Delvo of Inspiring Sight. Delvo is a board development coach from Fridley, Minnesota. She will focus on what it takes to build a strong, high-performing board, develop organizational capacity and empower nonprofit leaders to cultivate effective governance.
Understanding Board Service
Business leaders in Sioux Falls often are asked to serve on local nonprofit boards, bringing financial, legal and fundraising expertise. But understanding nonprofits is a unique skill set, and making that connection is integral to building a trusting relationship. Stacy Jones, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, said board members are critical to any organization.
“They make us better, challenge us and bring new ideas, and that makes our community better,” she said.
Jones, who also serves on the board of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and has previously served with United Way of the Sioux Empire, the Multicultural Center and booster clubs, said understanding how their role fits with the larger organization can help board members be more effective.
“It’s important for them to be engaged,” Jones said. “And then they need to understand how their role fits in the puzzle. They can provide oversight and guidance and ask hard questions, but they also need to understand the role of the operating team to work together effectively.”
Jones said nonprofit financials can look different than those of a for-profit organization, and understanding those differences can help board members.
Breakout sessions for the Community Foundation event include an introduction to governance and fundamentals of board service, a discussion on how nonprofits might consider changes in their service models and a deep dive into understanding nonprofit financials.
“Every board member comes to their service with a different level of understanding. We want seasoned professionals and new recruits to find something useful in these trainings,” Patterson said. “If we want to support our local nonprofits, we can help by making sure the people guiding them have the tools they need to succeed.”
Jones said that as an early board member, training to understand her role would have been helpful. “Knowing where I could stop and start compared to the organizational leaders was helpful,” she said. “You have to learn that very quickly as a board member.”
Opportunity for Business Community
Board service allows business leaders to connect differently to the community.
“The work being done in our community can feel invisible if you’re not receiving services or participating directly,” Patterson said. “But it’s important for all of us to see it, to witness it and to do what we can to help. We truly see volunteerism and board service, along with philanthropy, as integral to building community resilience.”
Jones agreed.
“It’s absolutely critical for our community to have our local business leaders serve on nonprofit boards,” Jones said. “And it’s very much appreciated by our nonprofits. This is a great way our business leaders can bring their expertise and knowledge to another organization and help make that organization and our community better.”
Young professionals are also a key part of the equation. The Community Foundation is encouraging emerging leaders in Sioux Falls to attend the event, seeing it as a natural entry point for people early in their careers who want to get involved but have not found the right opportunity yet. YPN members are encouraged to register and participate. For emerging leaders, Jones encourages volunteering to learn about different organizations. She also said nonprofit boards need people with a variety of perspectives.
“It’s not always based on the industry you work in,” Jones said. “It’s important to have different voices and minds in the room.”
Nonprofit Board Development Seminar
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
8:15-11:50 a.m.
Sioux Falls Convention Center, 1201 N. West Ave.
Register at sfacf.org/nonprofitevent26