Are you Future-Proof or Stuck in the Past? 5 Simple Questions for your Next Board Meeting

For many non-profits, the mission is timeless, but the methods for achieving it feel like they're constantly changing. The pressure to "go digital" may seem overwhelming, especially to your board, but future-proofing your organisation isn't about mastering technology, it's about being in the right mindset.

It's time to shift the conversation from the technical to the tactical. Here are five simple questions to bring to your next board meeting to assess your digital mindset and build a more resilient future.

1. How are we truly listening to our next generation of supporters?

Does this sound familiar? A board meeting where everyone flags the challenge of engaging younger people. The conversation often focuses on getting them to donate in traditional ways. But what if we flipped the question? Instead of asking what we want from them, let's ask what they want for themselves and their communities.

The next generation doesn't just want to donate, they want to engage and co-create. ‘Listening’ to them means more than sending a survey… it means being present in their spaces.

• Are we present where younger audiences discuss our cause?

• Could we invite a young advocate to a board meeting to share their perspective?

• What barriers (e.g., a clunky website or a slow mobile app) prevent them from engaging with us now?

  
  

2. What is one small, safe-to-fail experiment we can try this quarter?

Innovation doesn't have to be a multi-year, high-budget strategic plan. The organisations that thrive are the ones that are constantly learning, and experimenting. It's understandable that non-profits are wary of failure when budgets are so precious. That’s why the key is to think small and safe-to-fail. This gives your team permission to try something new without the pressure of a guaranteed outcome.

• Could we test one new type of social media post, like a TikTok video or a reel?

• Can we try a small, low budget, digital ad campaign to see if we reach new people?

• What's one new, compelling way we can tell our impact story in our next newsletter?

  
  

3. If we had to tell our story without statistics, what would we say?

Impact reports are vital, and data is crucial for grants and for measuring success. But data alone doesn't make an emotional impact. People connect with people - we’re inspired by stories of transformation, resilience, and hope. Too often, we lead with the numbers because they feel safe and concrete, and our powerful stories get buried on page twelve of a PDF report.

• What is the single most powerful story of transformation we've witnessed this year?

• How can we make that one story the hero of our next campaign?

• Whose voices (staff, volunteers, beneficiaries) can we elevate?

  
  

4. What is one thing we could stop doing to create space for the future?

For many resource-strapped organisations, the problem isn't a lack of ideas, but a lack of time. The team is already running at 110%, so adding digital transformation on top of an existing busy workload could be a recipe for burnout. Sometimes, the most strategic decision is not what to start doing, but what to stop doing.

This question opens up a conversation about processes and activities that may no longer be serving the mission effectively. It's about making the choice to free up capacity for more impactful work.

• Are we spending too much time on something that brings in minimal results, just because we've always done it that way?

• Are there processes that could be simplified to free up staff time for more engaging work?

• Have we explored digital resources that could simplify or automate processes?

  
  

5. What does success look like one year from now if we embrace just one of these ideas?

This final question is about vision and momentum. It takes the conversation from hypothetical to hopeful. It’s not about having a five-year digital roadmap, it’s about taking the first step and being able to celebrate the progress you make along the way.

• If we get better at listening to younger audiences, what could that look like in a year? A more diverse member base? New, creative fundraising ideas?

• If we run a few small experiments, what will we have a year from now? 

• If we get better at telling our core story, what could the result be? A more engaged online community? Increased awareness?

  
  

Board members have the opportunity to ensure the organisation's mission thrives for generations to come. Reaching your future audience is the key to unlocking powerful new sources of awareness, passion and innovative ideas that will strengthen your work.

The best opportunity for growth isn’t focussed on perfecting old methods, but in exploring new ones.