Board Structure Assessment and Recruitment Plan Development

We are seeking support to complete a comprehensive board development and governance reset as our organization enters a new phase of growth. Specifically, we would like assistance assessing our current board structure, clarifying roles and expectations, and developing a clear framework for board recruitment, engagement, and accountability. Key tasks we hope a Taproot volunteer can assist with include:

Assessing our current board composition, structure, and level of engagement

Refining board roles, responsibilities, and expectations, including fundraising and governance participation

Developing a board recruitment strategy focused on higher-level leadership, fundraising capacity, and institutional expertise

Advising on potential structures such as committees or an advisory council

Providing guidance on board leadership roles, including the Board Chair and Executive Director partnership

The goal of this project is to establish a functional, engaged board that can support fundraising, governance, and long-term strategic planning, particularly as we prepare for major donor relationships and potential facility acquisition.

This project will strengthen the leadership infrastructure necessary to sustain a justice-centered artist pipeline that supports creatives from school-aged youth through mid-career. A functional, engaged board is essential to securing the resources, partnerships, and long-term stability required for this work to endure. By addressing fundraising bottlenecks, clarifying governance responsibilities, and reducing over-reliance on the Executive Director, this project will allow the organization to focus more fully on serving artists and communities. A stronger board will also position 11:11 Projects to responsibly steward major donor relationships and pursue facility acquisition, ensuring that artists have access to stable space, paid opportunities, and long-term support. Volunteers will be helping build the leadership foundation that allows justice-centered arts work to grow with integrity, accountability, and lasting impact.

This project has strong internal buy-in and urgency at the leadership level. Our Executive Director and Board Chair are aligned around the need to restructure and strengthen board governance before pursuing further growth, major gifts, or capital commitments.

We have gathered or can readily provide key materials, including current bylaws, board rosters, role descriptions in draft form, strategic planning documents, and recent budgets. Internal decision-making authority is clearly defined, allowing for timely feedback and implementation throughout the engagement.

Project outcomes will be implemented directly by the Executive Director in partnership with the Board Chair and will inform immediate actions such as redefining board expectations, transitioning roles as needed, and actively recruiting new board members. Recommendations will be used as a working framework for ongoing governance and leadership development.