Your board of directors plays a critical role in your nonprofit’s success—but many organizations either hide them away or present them in ways that don’t build trust.
Done right, your board section can:
- Increase credibility
- Strengthen donor confidence
- Highlight leadership and expertise
In this guide, we’ll walk through the best ways to showcase your board of directors, including design examples and how to decide whether it belongs on your About page or its own dedicated page.
Before diving into design, it’s important to understand why this section matters.
Donors, partners, and grant organizations often look for:
- Transparency in leadership
- Professional credibility
- Diversity and experience
A well-presented board helps answer the question:
“Can I trust this organization?”
According to Google’s quality principles, trust and authority signals directly impact how “useful” a page is to users —and your board is a major part of that.
This is one of the most common questions—and the answer depends on your organization.
Option 1: Include Board on Your About Page
Best for:
- Small to mid-sized nonprofits
- 3–7 board members
- Simpler websites
Pros:
- Keeps everything in one place
- Easier navigation for users
- Works well when content is limited
Cons:
- Can feel crowded
- Less room for detail
Option 2: Create a Dedicated Board of Directors Page
Best for:
- Larger nonprofits
- 8+ board members
- Organizations needing more transparency
Pros:
- More space for bios and photos
- Better SEO opportunity
- Stronger credibility signal
Cons:
- Requires more content
- Adds an extra navigation step
Best Practice
- If your board is a key trust factor, give it its own page.
- If it’s supporting information, keep it on the About page.
5 Effective Ways to Display Your Board of Directors
Below are common design approaches you can use—ranging from simple to more advanced.
Best for:
- Very small nonprofits
- Early-stage organizations
Example format:
- John Smith – Board Chair
- Jane Doe – Treasurer
- Michael Lee – Secretary
Pros:
- Quick and easy
- Minimal design required
Cons:
- Lacks personality
- Doesn’t build strong trust
Use this only as a starting point—not a long-term solution.
Examples:
Best for:
- Small to mid-sized nonprofits
Includes:
- Name
Role
1–2 sentence bio
Pros:
- Adds credibility
- Gives context to each member
Cons:
- Still visually basic
Best for:
- Most nonprofits
Includes:
- Professional headshots
- Name + title
Pros:
- Builds trust quickly
- More engaging visually
- Humanizes your organization
Cons:
- Requires photos
This is one of the most recommended formats.
Examples:
Best for:
- Medium to large nonprofits
Includes:
- Photos
- Name + role
- Click-to-expand bios
Pros:
- Clean layout
- Allows deeper storytelling
- Keeps page uncluttered
Cons:
- Slightly more complex to build
Example:
Best for:
- Larger or highly visible organizations
Includes:
- Full bios
- Background experience
- Links (LinkedIn, etc.)
Pros:
- Strongest credibility signal
- Great for donors and grant reviewers
Cons:
- Requires more content
Example:
No matter which layout you choose, aim to include:
- Full name
- Role/title
- Professional background
- Relevant expertise
- Optional: photo
Bonus (if available):
- LinkedIn profiles
- Years of service
- Personal connection to the mission
No photos People trust people—not just names.
Outdated information An outdated board reduces credibility immediately.
Too much text Long bios without structure hurt readability.
Hidden or hard-to-find page If users can’t find your board, it doesn’t build trust.
If you create a dedicated page, you can target keywords like:
- nonprofit board of directors
- [organization name] leadership
- nonprofit leadership team
Best practices:
- Use a clear H1 (e.g., “Board of Directors”)
- Add internal links from your About page
- Include structured headings
This helps your page become more useful and discoverable, aligning with how search engines evaluate content quality .
Your board of directors page isn’t just informational—it’s a trust-building asset.
Whether you choose a simple layout or a full-featured page, the goal is the same:
Make your leadership visible, credible, and human.
Need Help Designing Your Nonprofit Website?
If you want a website that builds trust, increases donations, and presents your organization professionally, check out our:
Get a Free Nonprofit Website Consultation
We specialize in creating websites that help nonprofits grow and succeed.
Interested in discussing this topic more and learning how we could apply this knowledge with your new or existing website? Let's chat. Book a free consultation with us.
Related Posts
