The Power of Hispanics on Nonprofit Boards

Every year from September 15 to October 15, the U.S. celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month — a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino people. It’s also a perfect opportunity for nonprofits to pause and reflect:

Are Hispanic leaders represented in the boardrooms where decisions are made?

Despite making up nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population, Hispanic representation on nonprofit boards remains far too low. As we celebrate this month, let’s do a better job of ensuring that our boards look like the vibrant communities we serve.

Where Things Stand

The numbers tell the story:

• Hispanics/Latinos make up 18–20% of the U.S. population, but only ~5% of nonprofit board members (BoardSource, 2021).

• In San Jose, CA — where Latinos are a third of the population — they hold just 12.5% of board seats.

• A survey of 1,759 nonprofits found 27% of boards had no Latino members at all (Latinos LEAD, 2024).

Progress has been slow. While there are bright spots, Hispanic leaders remain underrepresented in nonprofit governance relative to their presence in our communities.

Why Inclusion Matters

Including Latino voices on boards isn’t just about fairness — it strengthens organizations in real, measurable ways:

• Mission alignment & trust: Leaders with shared language, culture, and lived experience help organizations better understand community needs and build deeper trust.

• Expanded networks: Hispanic board members connect nonprofits to donors, businesses, civic leaders, and grassroots networks that might otherwise be overlooked.

• Smarter decisions: Research shows diverse boards identify blind spots more quickly and generate more innovative solutions.

• Sustainability: Inclusive boards adapt more easily to change, keeping nonprofits relevant and resilient.

• Equity & legitimacy: Having governance reflect community demographics is an expression of equity. It boosts legitimacy — internally (staff, volunteers) and externally (funders, public). For many funders today, diversity in governance is not just nice but expected.

Example: When the Latino Community Foundation (LCF) in California set out to expand its impact, it intentionally recruited Latino leaders across sectors so its board mirrored the communities it served. That authenticity gave funders and partners confidence, fueling LCF’s growth into one of the nation’s fastest-growing Latino philanthropic organizations.

 What’s Getting in the Way?

Several barriers slow progress:

• Closed recruitment networks: Boards often recruit from familiar circles, which limits diversity.

• Financial expectations: High “give/get” requirements can unintentionally exclude leaders who bring value beyond wealth.

• Tokenism: Some Latino board members report feeling sidelined or unsupported.

• Data gaps: Many surveys lump “people of color” together, masking Latino-specific underrepresentation.

• Capacity barriers: Demands on time and travel don’t fit every leader’s circumstances.

How Nonprofits Can Lead Change

Do this — not just during Hispanic Heritage Month, but year-round:

• Recruit intentionally: Partner with Hispanic chambers, professional associations, and civic groups to broaden your pool.

• Offer flexibility: Be clear about expectations and consider remote meetings or co-chair roles to reduce barriers.

• Invest in onboarding & mentorship: Help new board members navigate not only bylaws, but culture, fundraising norms, and leadership opportunities.

• Practice inclusion: Value Hispanic members’ input, not just their presence. Audit meeting culture and leadership pathways.

• Track progress: Collect and share demographic data. Set goals, measure outcomes, and hold the board accountable.

• Engage funders: Encourage funders to back diversity efforts and support Latino-led organizations.

Stories of Progress

The good news? Many nonprofits are getting it right. Boards that mirror their communities report stronger trust, better fundraising results, and deeper program impact. Hispanic board leaders are shaping strategies, growing donor bases, and ensuring nonprofits remain relevant to those they serve.

These stories remind us that representation isn’t charity — it’s smart governance.

At The Board Pro, we believe boards are strongest when they reflect the full richness of their communities. Helping nonprofits recruit, onboard, and engage diverse members is central to our mission. When organizations open the door to Hispanic voices, they’re not just checking a box — they’re cultivating stronger governance, building trust, and expanding impact.

Looking Ahead

Representation is not a one-time task. It’s an ongoing journey of commitment, accountability, and culture-building. As you reflect during Hispanic Heritage Month, ask:

• Are our board demographics aligned with our community?

• How are we supporting Hispanic members to thrive, not just serve?

• Do our recruitment practices unintentionally exclude voices we need most?

Conclusion

Hispanics serving on nonprofit boards is more than symbolic. It’s essential to effective governance, stronger community trust, and authentic mission impact. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s honor Hispanic heritage not only with words, but with action — by ensuring that Hispanic leaders are valued voices in our boardrooms.

“Porque cuando las juntas se parecen a las comunidades que sirven, ganamos todos.” Because when boards reflect the communities they serve, everyone wins.