Join Our Board of Directors

Board members have the following responsibilities: 

  1. Commitment to CWC’s mission and community, including guiding our long-term strategic goals and vision. 

  2. Oversee the development and implementation of CWC-wide policies in support of our community.

  3. Hiring, oversight, and support of leadership staff.

  4. Advance CWC’s fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives. 

  5. Support communication among the Board, staff, guests, and greater community. 

  6. Committee roles including Finance, Governance, and Fundraising & Outreach, with special projects as needed.

We are seeking candidates with the following characteristics: 

  • Willing to commit to 5-15 hours per month, including attending at least 80% of Board meetings annually.

  • Experience in corporate or non-profit governance, law, tax and finance, fundraising, marketing/communications, and/or community relations.

  • Commitment to and/or advocacy: housing and food insecurity; anti-racism; immigration; LGBTQ+ identities; disability rights; women’s rights; and/or other social justice advocacy.

The Cambridge Women’s Center is committed to a Board that reflects the diversity of the people we serve. Women of color, immigrants, trans and gender diverse individuals, and women with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Please submit a resume and cover letter responding to the following questions to Board@CambridgeWomensCenter.org.     

  1. How did you hear about CWC? Do you have any previous or current involvement with us? 

  2. Why are you interested in joining the our Board of Directors? What skills and/or strengths do you to bring to the Board? 

  3. We are looking for individuals with legal, financial, and fundraising expertise. If you have experience in any of these areas, please describe in your cover letter:

    a. Nonprofit governance
    b. Strategic planning 
    c. Fundraising/Development
    d. Community Relations
    e. Marketing & Communications 
    f. Financial planning or management 
    e. Legal 

We are committed to building a diverse and representative Board. To the extent that you are comfortable sharing, please share any relevant demographic or meaningful identity information.

Open Board Role: Treasurer

The Treasurer is an officer of the Board of Directors and serves as Chair of the Finance Committee. 

Working in close partnership with the Executive Director and the Finance Committee, the Treasurer manages financial oversight, ensures proper budgeting, maintains regulatory compliance, and guides the Board on CWC’s financial health without handling daily bookkeeping or financial administration. 

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES

1. Financial Governance & Reporting

  • Exercises fiduciary oversight over CWC’s overall financial management, accounting policies, and internal control procedures.

  • Reviews quarterly and annual financial statements to verify accuracy and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

  • Presents regular financial updates and provides strategic guidance to the Board regarding the organization's long-term financial health.

2. Budgeting & Long-Term Financial Planning

  • Collaborates with the Executive Director and the Finance Committee to prepare and present the annual organizational budget to the Board of Directors for approval.

  • Monitors performance against the budget, reviewing quarterly variances and recommending intentional adjustments when necessary. 

3. Investment, Principal & Asset Management

  • Oversees the stewardship and governance of CWC’s principal, capital reserves, securities, and valuable legal papers.

  • Guides the organization on investment strategies, money management policies, and real estate or facility asset considerations.

4. Regulatory, Tax & Audit Compliance

  • Fulfills governance responsibilities by overseeing the completion of all required filings and reports for the City of Cambridge, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

  • Reviews and approves all annual financial statements, tax filings, and tax-exemption documents prior to official submission to ensure proper and timely compliance.

  • Oversees the selection, engagement, and periodic review of external accounting consultants, auditors, and tax professionals.

  • Safeguards restricted funds according to donor rules.

  • Helps manage internal controls to lower the risk of fraud.

5. Board Reporting & Committee Leadership

  • Serves as an active voting member of the Finance Committee, helping guide its agenda and strategic initiatives.

  • Advises the Board Chair, other Board members, and Executive Director on financial sustainability, audit findings, and key financial risks.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

The Treasurer should possess strong governance capabilities and professional experience in the following areas:

  1. Accounting & Financial Governance: Background in reviewing financial statements, interpreting non-profit accounting reports, and understanding internal controls.

  2. Budgeting & Strategic Planning: Demonstrated experience in high-level budget analysis, forecasting, and resource allocation. 

  3. Commitment to Collaboration & Community: Willing to share ideas, challenge thinking, participate in “active listening”, and interact with CWC leadership, staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and members. 

The following areas of expertise are preferred but not required:

  1. Fundraising & Asset Gifts: Demonstrated experience with major gift administration, estate planning, and non-cash asset donations (such as gifts of stock) is highly desirable.  

  2. Banking & Investments: Knowledge of institutional banking relationships, investment strategies, and reserve fund management.

  3. Business Operations & Leadership: Executive or leadership experience operating a business or non-profit organization.

To Apply: We are reviewing applicants on a rolling basis. To apply for this role, please submit your resume and cover letter, including responding to the following questions to Board@CambridgeWomensCenter.org.

  1. What is your connection to CWC and why does our mission appeal to you?

  2. Please describe your relevant professional experience and how it applies to the role of Treasurer, including if you have nonprofit and/or Board fiduciary experience.

  3. What other personal or professional strengths would you like to highlight? 

  4. We are committed to building a representative Board that reflects and uplifts the diversity our community. To the extent that you are comfortable, please share relevant demographic, identify, or experiential information.

Our Process: If you are new to our community, our selection process includes screening interviews with our Interim Executive Director, Board Chair, and Board members; site visit if you are not already part of our community; references check; and nondisclosure agreement and guest attendance to a Finance Committee.