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iQuestions Faculty, Jack Herschend 
 
 
Question: 
 
How many board members are ideal for a non-profit company? 
 
Answer:   
 
I’ve had the privilege of serving on a number of not-for-profit boards, 
ranging in size from eight to thirty-two. I believe, in my experience, 
that the ideal number is twelve. It’s large enough— larger than most 
for-profit boards— but it’s large enough to bring the skill set of 
fundraising to the ministry that is very, very important. But it’s not so 
large that folks feel that their contribution really doesn’t amount to 
much, and therefore their commitment to the ministry and the 
organization is minimized, because of the raw number. 
 
You notice that I mentioned, ideally, a twelve number, rather than an 
odd number, and that is so that votes are cast and issues are decided 
by more than one vote. To have, for instance, eleven board members, 
and have an important issue for the ministry decided on the six to five 
vote, I don’t believe is healthy. But with twelve people, there has to be 
a clear majority, and when there’s a tie, then the issue being voted 
upon does not pass. It can come back up again, in a future board 
meeting, but it has to have a clear majority. And, therefore, the even 
number best serves the ministry. 
 
  
 
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