In the numbers. . .
Our research found that 45% of young directors were not first-time board directors - yet they’re often perceived as being inexperienced.
57–67% of nonprofits claiming youth as a key beneficiary group across jurisdiction levels yet an environmental scan of 79 organizations in Canada revealed that only 9% have a publicly identifiable gender- marginalized young Director.
The non profit issue faces issues such as individual donors aging out, and they’re struggling with securing new young donors — organizations with young directors are more likely to safeguard or future-proof organizations with aging donors and leadership
In the numbers. . .
Our research found that 45% of young directors were not first-time board directors - yet they’re often perceived as being inexperienced.
57–67% of nonprofits claiming youth as a key beneficiary group across jurisdiction levels yet an environmental scan of 79 organizations in Canada revealed that only 9% have a publicly identifiable gender- marginalized young Director.
The non profit issue faces issues such as individual donors aging out, and they’re struggling with securing new young donors —organizations with young directors are more likely to safeguard or future- proof organizations with aging donors and leadership.
Across the nonprofit sector, Boards of Directors have historically used recruitment strategies that are exclusionary and unwelcoming to youth participation. Even as conversations around diversity grow, many boards still hesitate to include young people — often citing concerns around experience, knowledge, commitment, or capacity.
This leaves a major gap: young people, especially those facing gender-based discrimination, are often directly impacted by the decisions Boards make —but are excluded from shaping them.
Across the nonprofit sector, Boards of Directors have historically used recruitment strategies that are exclusionary and unwelcoming to youth participation. Even as conversations around diversity grow, many boards still hesitate to include young people — often citing concerns around experience, knowledge, commitment, or capacity.
This leaves a major gap: young people, especially those facing gender-based discrimination, are often directly impacted by the decisions Boards make —but are excluded from shaping them.
Across the nonprofit sector, Boards of Directors have historically used recruitment strategies that are exclusionary and unwelcoming to youth participation. Even as conversations around diversity grow, many boards still hesitate to include young people — often citing concerns around experience, knowledge, commitment, or capacity.
This leaves a major gap: young people, especially those facing gender-based discrimination, are often directly impacted by the decisions Boards make — but are excluded from shaping them.
Tehreem Fatima (she/her)
Advocacy Manager
About Me
Tehreem is first generation Pakistani-Canadian social impact strategist with an interest in civic innovation and peacebuilding. Having specialized in political science and minored in philosophy, Tehreem often finds herself at the intersection of politics and philosophy as a researcher, activist, and social innovator.
As an Advocacy Manager she brings her academic, grassroots, and professional expertise in advocacy, policy influencing and knowledge mobilization to Fora, helping make powerful decision-making spaces more accessible for a new generation of leaders.
Tehreem believes that getting gender-marginalized young leaders into spaces of power is a critical way to spark innovation and meaningful change, this belief led her to Fora.
Here’s what you can expect from
this free course.
Self-Guided Activities
Practical tools and templates for every
stage of your board’s inclusion journey
Self-Guided Activities
Assess where your organization stands
— and where it needs to go
Self-Guided Activities
Ready-to-use checklists, guides,
and reflection prompts