How to Talk to Your Board About Risk
Stop Letting Fear Stifle Your Foundation’s Impact
You see the potential. You understand the complex challenges communities face and know that sticking to the “safe bets” just won’t cut it anymore. Climate change, inequality, social injustice – these demand bold, innovative solutions, not just incremental tweaks.
But how do you get your board on board?
Conversations about risk can be challenging. Board members rightly focus on fiduciary duty, protecting assets, and avoiding negative press. Meanwhile, you know that calculated risk-taking is essential for learning, innovation, and achieving the systemic change your foundation aims for.
What if the biggest risk isn’t taking action, but clinging to the status quo?
How to Talk to Your Board About Risk – A Practical Guide
This isn’t just another report. It’s a practical guide designed specifically for foundation staff like you who are ready to push for a more courageous approach.
It provides practical insights and actionable steps to help you:
- Understand the REAL risks – Move beyond just financial or reputational fears to focus on the risk of not achieving your mission
- Reframe the narrative – Learn how to talk about risk in terms of opportunity, learning, and mission advancement
- Name the Risk of Inaction – Articulate why playing it too safe undermines your foundation’s goals
- Prepare Effectively – Get practical tips on gathering data, knowing your board members, and building internal alignment before you walk into that meeting
- Navigate Conversations Constructively – Build confidence in discussing risk openly and productively
- Build a Risk-Tolerant Culture – Discover strategies for embedding a new approach to risk within your foundation over time.
Why now? The Urgency of Rethinking Risk
The world is changing fast. Traditional funding models often aren’t enough to tackle today’s interconnected crises. Meaningful change requires trusting communities and leaders closest to the issues, even when their approaches are new. Sticking to cautious, predictable funding might feel safe, but it risks failing your mission and the communities you serve.
Don’t let outdated ideas about risk hold your foundation back.
This guide provides the tools and framing you need to have more productive, mission-focused conversations about risk with your board. It’s about making informed, intentional choices to embrace uncertainty for greater impact.
Ready to challenge the status quo and fund transformative social change?
Why now? The Urgency of Rethinking Risk
The world is changing fast. Traditional funding models often aren’t enough to tackle today’s interconnected crises. Meaningful change requires trusting communities and leaders closest to the issues, even when their approaches are new. Sticking to cautious, predictable funding might feel safe, but it risks failing your mission and the communities you serve.
Don’t let outdated ideas about risk hold your foundation back.
This guide provides the tools and framing you need to have more productive, mission-focused conversations about risk with your board. It’s about making informed, intentional choices to embrace uncertainty for greater impact.
It provides practical insights and actionable steps to help you:
- Understand the REAL risks – Move beyond just financial or reputational fears to focus on the risk of not achieving your mission
- Reframe the narrative – Learn how to talk about risk in terms of opportunity, learning, and mission advancement
- Name the Risk of Inaction – Articulate why playing it too safe undermines your foundation’s goals
- Prepare Effectively – Get practical tips on gathering data, knowing your board members, and building internal alignment before you walk into that meeting
- Navigate Conversations Constructively – Build confidence in discussing risk openly and productively
- Build a Risk-Tolerant Culture – Discover strategies for embedding a new approach to risk within your foundation over time.
How to Talk to Your Board About Risk – A Practical Guide
This isn’t just another report. It’s a practical guide designed specifically for foundation staff like you who are ready to push for a more courageous approach.
You see the potential. You understand the complex challenges communities face and know that sticking to the “safe bets” just won’t cut it anymore. Climate change, inequality, social injustice – these demand bold, innovative solutions, not just incremental tweaks.
But how do you get your board on board?
Conversations about risk can be challenging. Board members rightly focus on fiduciary duty, protecting assets, and avoiding negative press. Meanwhile, you know that calculated risk-taking is essential for learning, innovation, and achieving the systemic change your foundation aims for.
What if the biggest risk isn’t taking action, but clinging to the status quo?
