Become a Board Member

Board Member Requirements:

At least 21 years old.
Reside or work in Flagler, Putnam, Duval, St. Johns, or Volusia Counties.
Passion for helping children impacted by foster care, adoption, or trauma and their families.
Pass a background screening.
Previous experience serving on a nonprofit board of directors recommended.

Fostering Connections Board Members are skilled volunteers dedicated to supporting our mission and programs. Board members provide governance, financial oversight, fundraising, and resource development.

We are currently seeking board members with the following skill sets:

Event Planning
Development (Event and Individual fundraising)
Board Governance
Public Policy-State Government Level

We are currently seeking board members to represent our wide regional reach, including board members from:

Duval County
Putnam County
Volusia County

Board member terms are three years.

Click here to apply

Join our Advisory Board

Fostering Connections empowers foster and adoptive youth and families by providing resources, programs, and advocacy. Through initiatives like our Career Readiness Academy, Teen Talks, and family support events, we work to create opportunities and build community support for foster and adoptive families.

Advisory Board Members play a key role in supporting Fostering Connections’ mission by offering their expertise, raising awareness, and helping to build local community and funding support. Members serve as ambassadors in their respective counties, advocating for the needs of foster and adoptive families and contributing to the success of our programs.

Position: Advisory Board Member

Reports to: Advisory Board Chair and CEO of Fostering Connections

Location: County-specific (Fostering Connections serves multiple counties, currently Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Volusia counties)

Time Commitment: Approximately 4-6 hours per month, including quarterly meetings, committee participation, and event involvement

Click here to apply

Application Process

Interested individuals should complete the Advisory Board Application and submit it along with a resume or a brief description of relevant experience. If you are interested in joining the Fostering Connections Advisory Board, click the button above to apply.

Responsibilities:

Advocacy and Awareness: Actively promote Fostering Connections’ mission and programs within the local community to raise awareness and build support.
Event Planning and Participation: Help plan and attend at least one micro-fundraising event per year in your county, contributing to local fundraising efforts.
Committee Involvement: Serve on at least one committee (e.g., Development, Finance, Governance, Bylaws, Ad Hocs) to support specific initiatives and projects.
Fundraising Support: While there is no required financial contribution, members are encouraged to participate in fundraising activities and connect Fostering Connections with potential donors, sponsors, or community partners.
Meeting Attendance: Attend quarterly Advisory Board meetings (must attend at least 3 out of 4 annually) and any additional committee meetings.
Volunteer Engagement: Assist with volunteer recruitment and engagement efforts within the community, supporting local Fostering Connections events and initiatives.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 21 years old
Reside in the county represented or have strong ties to the community

Experience and Skills:

Background in areas such as nonprofit work, fundraising, event planning, community engagement, or advocacy is beneficial
Passion for supporting foster and adoptive youth and families
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively and follow through on commitments

Commitment to Mission: A genuine interest in and dedication to Fostering Connections’ mission to support foster and adoptive youth

Benefits of Serving on the Advisory Board:

Professional Development: Gain experience in fundraising, advocacy, and event planning while developing leadership and community engagement skills.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with other community leaders, nonprofit professionals, and advocates who are dedicated to supporting foster and adoptive youth.
Impact: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of foster and adoptive youth and families by contributing to Fostering Connections’ mission and initiatives.
Recognition: Receive acknowledgment at Fostering Connections events, in communications, and on social media for your dedication and contributions.

Development Committee (Optional)

We ask Advisory Board members who join the Development Committee to make an annual contribution that is personally meaningful and falls within their top three charitable gifts. This supports Fostering Connections’ fundraising efforts and demonstrates a commitment to the organization’s sustainability and growth.

Join our Development Committee

Seats Needed

We are currently seeking representatives from the following areas to join the Development Committee:

Current Fostering Connections Donor
Faith-Based Representative
Business Community Representative
DCF Representative
Local or State Government Representative
Nonprofit Partner Representative
Marketing/PR Representative
College Student Representative
Current Client - Foster/Adoptive Parent & Student

As part of our strategic plan, Fostering Connections has formed a Development Committee. We are seeking individuals who have strong development skills and are passionate about our mission to join this important team. The Development Committee is the driving force behind Fostering Connections’ ability to secure major donor funding and sustain its mission of supporting children impacted by foster care or adoption and their families.

Committee Purpose

The Development Committee is tasked with identifying and cultivating Fostering Connections’ top donor prospects—those representing the 20% of donors who will contribute 80% of our budget. This team will also create and execute the overall development strategy for the organization, working closely with our CEO as key leaders in fundraising efforts.

Click here to apply

If you are interested in joining the Fostering Connections Development Committee, click the button above to apply.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for committed individuals who are willing to contribute their time, talent, and resources to help advance Fostering Connections’ mission. Members must:

Make a Significant Gift: Each member is expected to contribute a meaningful gift to Fostering Connections and invite others to do the same. This organization should be in your top 3 charitable contributions.
Implement the Taking Donors Seriously (TDS) Framework: Members will work within this framework, which focuses on building a compelling case for support, strong leadership, identifying prospects, crafting a strategy, and creating an action plan for donor engagement.
Identify Additional Committee Members: Help recruit new members who can bring valuable perspectives and resources to the team.
Engage in Asking and Thanking Donors: Actively participate in soliciting and acknowledging Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 4 donors, ensuring they feel valued and appreciated.
Maintain Regular Communication: Keep open lines of communication with the Committee Chairperson and fellow members to ensure fundraising goals are met.
Attend Meetings Regularly: Participate in meetings to review progress, discuss strategies, and refine fundraising initiatives.
Participate in Fundraising for Tier 3 Donors: Help broaden the donor base by engaging in fundraising efforts that target Tier 3 donors.
Succession Planning: Ensure continuity by mentoring and preparing a replacement when stepping down from the committee.