Board Member Application

Thank you for your interest in serving on the Board of Directors for Central Valley Scholars. Please complete all sections of this application. We will review applications on a rolling basis and contact qualified candidates for interviews within 3-4 weeks of submission.

About The Position

Central Valley Scholars is working on building a strategic high functioning/working Board of Directors, in which Board members are rocket boosters and accelerate our organization in the way that our management team and students want to. As a management driven organization, Board members should view themselves as thought partners, working collaboratively with our team and students to provide advice and support from a different perspective - driven from Board member’s own experiences and expertise. 

Learn more about the board position here. Learn more about our story and values here. 

The Opportunity and Commitment:

We are actively recruiting individuals who share a deep commitment to educational equity and student success in the Central Valley. New board members are sought to provide strategic direction, ensure financial sustainability, and contribute to fundraising and advocacy efforts.

Ideal candidates will possess professional expertise in areas such as:

• Finance and Accounting
• Legal and Compliance
• Nonprofit Governance
• Fundraising and Development
• Marketing and Communications
• Education Policy and Administration

Board members are expected to attend regular meetings, actively participate in committee work, and leverage their professional networks to advance the organization's goals. 

Apply Today 

Please complete this form to apply. You can save your application and make edits later; however, you cannot edit after submission. Priority applications are due by November 9th, 2025 at 11:59 pm. For questions or support please email us at contact@centralvalleyscholars.org. 

Meeting & Engagement Commitment

• Central Valley Scholars expects board members to:
  • Participate in at least one board meeting a month
    • Board meetings tend to ask an hour
  • Attend an annual board retreat
  • Volunteer at one in-person and virtual event (in addition to the annual fundraiser)
  • Review board materials in advance of meetings

Term Length

We ask for a minimum committment to the board for a period of two years. 

Committe Interest

 

Do you envision stepping into any specific board committee roles? Please indicate your interest level:

Finance Committee (budget oversight, financial reporting, audit review)

Development/Fundraising Committee (donor cultivation, fundraising strategy, events)

Governance Committee (board recruitment, bylaws, policies, board development)

Programs Committee (program evaluation, student outcomes, partnerships)

Other (please specify)

Fundraising & Personal Giving Expectations

Board members are expected to:

• Make an annual personal contribution at a level that is personally meaningful to them
• Actively participate in fundraising efforts (e.g., donor introductions, event support, grant research) (please specify)

While there is no fixed minimum dollar amount, all board members are expected to make Central Valley Scholars one of their top philanthropic priorities and contribute at a level that reflects this commitment.

Fundraising Experience

Anticipated Challenges

 

Previous Board Experience

Personal Growth & Learning

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Do you have any financial, business, or personal relationships that could create a conflict of interest with Central Valley Scholars' mission or operations? This includes but is not limited to:

• Family members employed by or doing business with the organization
• Financial interests in vendors or partner organizations
• Board service with organizations that compete for similar funding or serve overlapping populations
• Any other circumstances that might compromise your duty of loyalty to Central Valley Scholars

Please note: Conflicts of interest are common and can be managed through disclosure and recusal. This is not automatically disqualifying, but full transparency is required under California law.

Fiduciary Duties Acknowledgment

• As a board member, you will have three core fiduciary duties under California nonprofit law:
  • Duty of Care: Acting with reasonable diligence and care in decision-making
  • Duty of Loyalty: Putting the organization's interests above personal interests
  • Duty of Obedience: Ensuring the organization complies with laws and its mission

Directors & Officers Insurance

Central Valley Scholars carries Directors & Officers (D&O) liability insurance to protect board members acting in good faith within their fiduciary duties.

By Signing Bellow You Agree To The Following: 

• I hereby confirm and certify that all the information in this application is accurate and truthful to the best of my knowledge and has been written and submitted by me (with exception to any accomodations I require).
• I certify that I meet all eligibility requirements as specified on this applicaiton. 
• I release this information to Central Valley Scholars and its staff for purposes of evaluating my application. 
• I understand that the information given may be investigated and that any false represenation and/or evidence of plagirism is sufficient to cause the rejection of this application. 
• I understand that if selected, I will be required to sign a Conflict of Interest Policy and other board governance documents in accordance with California nonprofit law.
• I have read and agree to the Central Valley Scholars Privacy Policy. 

Next Steps:

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
• Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview within 3-4 weeks
• Final candidates will receive a board member handbook and bylaws for review
• New board members typically begin their term at the start of the next quarter

Questions? Please direct questions to contact@centralvalleyscholars.org