From Transactional to Transformational: What Happens When You Invest in Nonprofit Boards

Most grants fund programs. This one funds people.

At Woodworth Enterprises, we believe the most strategic investment a funder—whether a bank, foundation, or corporate partner—can make is in the leadership of a nonprofit, starting with its board. That’s why we created the Board Empowerment Grant Program: a turnkey, CRA-aligned initiative that helps funders grow nonprofit capacity without adding to their workload.

But what does that actually look like in practice?

📈 Real Results, Now Scaled Through the Grant Program

Before launching the Board Empowerment Grant Program, we were already delivering these services—customized training, strategic retreats, and hands-on board development—to nonprofits across the region. The results were powerful:

• One organization doubled its board size from 5 to 10 members, bringing in new energy and expanding its fundraising capacity.

• Another added two new members and, more importantly, built a sustainable pipeline for future leadership through onboarding, mentorship, and engagement planning.

These outcomes weren’t one-offs—they were the spark that led us to design a scalable, funder-friendly model. Now, through the Board Empowerment Grant Program, these same services are available to nonprofits nationwide—with funding partners who want to make a measurable, leadership-focused impact.

💡 How the Grant Works

The Board Empowerment Grant Program makes leadership development easy, measurable, and mission-aligned—for both funders and nonprofits.

Here’s how it works:

1. You choose the nonprofit Whether you're a bank seeking CRA-aligned impact or a foundation focused on capacity building, you select the organization you want to support.

2. We deliver the programming Woodworth Enterprises provides customized board development services—retreats, coaching, training, and strategic planning—tailored to the nonprofit’s needs.

3. We report the impact You receive a full impact report that’s CRA-aligned and easy to share. It highlights measurable outcomes like increased board engagement, expanded leadership capacity, and improved fundraising posture.

   
   

🎯 It’s a strategic partnership—not just a grant. You fund the future of leadership. We handle the heavy lifting.

🏁 The Bottom Line

When funders invest in board development, they’re not just checking a box—they’re carrying the flag for long-term impact. They’re empowering nonprofits to lead with clarity, connect with confidence, and build the kind of resilience that lasts.

And the best part? We make it easy. From programming to impact reporting, we handle the logistics so funders can focus on what matters most—building stronger communities.

📣 We’re currently seeking a Premier Partner to help us champion this initiative. This is a unique opportunity for a bank or funding organization to co-launch a CRA-aligned program that delivers measurable community impact and elevates your brand as a leader in nonprofit capacity building.

🔗 Explore the Board Empowerment Grant Program

Let’s fund the future of leadership—together.