5 Thoughtful Ways to Thank Your Board In January

They show up after long workdays. They read budgets, ask hard questions, and advocate for your mission in rooms you’re not in.

And most of the time, they do it without expecting a thing. No plaque. No tote bag. Not even a thank-you note.

Board members often give much and hear “thanks” the least.

Not because no one cares, but because the urgent work takes over. Reports, deadlines, campaigns, and compliance leave little space for reflection. The quiet contributors get buried under the noise.

But when board members don’t feel appreciated, they may quietly disengage. They stop showing up with the same energy. Some step away altogether.

That’s why, in anticipation of Board Appreciation Month, we teamed up with Diane Chamberlin, our Principal Consultant for Content and Strategy, to talk about simple, sincere ways everyone in your organization can show appreciation for your board. Diane has served on boards, supported dozens of nonprofits, and brings a unique perspective on what makes board members feel seen and stay engaged.

“Board service is often the most thankless volunteer role in the organization,” Diane shared. “It’s easy to forget, especially when the work feels urgent. But when board members feel seen and valued, they lean into the mission.”

And here’s the good news: appreciation doesn’t need to be fancy or time-consuming. It just needs to be real.

Why Board Appreciation Month Matters

Your board members likely didn’t sign on for the recognition. They joined to support your mission, bring their expertise to the table, and make a difference in their community. But even the most dedicated volunteer needs to know their time and effort matter.

“When board members see the impact of their decisions—like when they meet the people they’re helping or witness a program in action—they stay invested,” Diane told us. “That connection can keep them engaged well beyond their term.”

Appreciation isn’t just a kind gesture. It’s a strategy for board engagement and retention. It creates emotional equity: the trust, goodwill, and connection that keeps board members showing up, even when things get hard.

And yet, it’s easy to overlook.

We’re all moving fast and trying to get a lot done. But according to Diane, “When we treat board appreciation as optional, we risk burning out our leadership at every level.”

That’s not just a theory. In our recent post on Executive Director burnout, we shared how recognition and gratitude can make or break long-term sustainability. The same applies to your board of directors. A little appreciation goes a long way in building a healthier leadership culture.

Limited time? Tight budget? That’s the reality for most nonprofit teams. But showing appreciation doesn’t have to cost much; it just has to be genuine.

 Here’s some thoughtful, low-lift gestures that make people feel like they belong.

5 Thoughtful (and Simple) Ways to Thank Your Board in January

If the idea of a full board recognition campaign feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Most teams don’t have extra time for a big lift this time of year. You don’t need to do it all. Just choose one or two of these suggestions to try during Board Appreciation Month. Even one small, sincere gesture can make a difference.

These simple, heartfelt ideas are easy to tailor to your board’s style and your organization’s capacity, and they’re all designed to feel personal, not performative.

1. Handwritten Notes

It sounds basic, but it works.

“A handwritten thank-you note in an age of hurried, electronic communication goes a really long way,” Diane says.

Write two to three sentences. Be specific. Acknowledge the board member’s contribution: did they help with a strategic plan, ask a tough question at the right time, or simply keep showing up? Let them know it mattered.

These notes don’t need to be fancy. But they should feel personal.

2. Board Member Spotlights

Use your newsletter or social media to highlight your board members one at a time. Include a photo, a short thank-you, and a quote or quick sentence about their connection to the mission.

One of our clients does this every January. It shows the public who’s helping guide the mission and shows the board you see their efforts.

3. “You Made This Possible” Moments

Sometimes, the most powerful thank-you is showing someone what they helped make happen.

“When board members witness impact, they stay invested,” Diane reminds us.

Print and frame a photo from a program, site visit, or community event your board helped fund or support. Add a note like:

“This new classroom opened in October, thanks to your leadership and vote of confidence.”

If a framed photo isn’t realistic, share the image in a meeting or email. Connect their action to a real-world result. It doesn’t just recognize the work; it reminds them why it matters.

4. Thank-You Videos from Staff or Program Participants

Short, sincere video messages can leave a big impression. Staff members, volunteers, or participants can record a 15-second clip:

“Thank you for supporting this important work. We couldn’t do it without you and your commitment.”

You can share one at a time throughout January, play a few at your board meeting, or send personalized links via email. If video feels tricky, written quotes paired with photos work just as well.

5. Surprise Snack Drop-Off

Never underestimate the morale power of surprise snacks. We're not talking about bringing donuts to the meeting like you do every month. Consider having a small box of cookies delivered from a local bakery with a handwritten thank-you card. This work whether you meet in person, hybrid, or even if you’re mailing care packages to remote members.

Whose Job Is Board Appreciation, Anyway?

It’s a fair question. And honestly, it’s part of why board appreciation so often gets overlooked. In most nonprofits, it’s not totally clear who’s responsible for saying thank you.

Is it the Executive Director? The board chair? The development team?

When we brought this question to Diane, she reframed the whole issue:

“Board appreciation shouldn’t rest solely on the ED. It should be shared, and the ideal situation is a culture of appreciation.”

In other words, appreciation isn’t a task, it’s a tone. It doesn’t belong to one person. It flows from leadership, staff, and even between board members themselves.

“If a board experiences gratitude from staff and volunteers as well, it goes a long way to strengthen the organization,” Diane says. “And it helps the board feel part of the organization, as opposed to being an entity on the outside looking in.”

That feeling—of being inside the work, not just overseeing it—is what keeps board members engaged.

So who should take the lead? Maybe the board chair can set the tone by recognizing their peers, especially during Board Appreciation Month. But anyone who interacts with the board, staff, leadership, even program participants, can contribute to a culture of recognition.

“There’s no cookie-cutter process,” Diane told us. “But it’s pretty safe to say when one person or a few take the lead in expressing genuine gratitude, even in a small way, it will catch on.”

And that’s the point. You don’t need a formal policy or a structured campaign to start. You just need a moment, a gesture, and the intention to let people know they matter.

Gratitude Builds Stronger Boards

Your board doesn’t need a gift bag or a branded pen. They need to know their time means something. That their leadership matters. That someone noticed.

So this January, during Board Appreciation Month, take the time to thank them. Not with a checklist or corporate swag, but with something real. A note. A story. A reminder of the mission they’re part of.

“Appreciation builds emotional equity,” Diane says. “And that equity is what keeps people committed—even when things get hard.”

And here’s the real secret: you don’t have to wait until January to say thank you.

In fact, spreading these small gestures throughout the year—after a tough vote, following a program launch, or just because—helps build a stronger, more trusting relationship with your board. It creates a culture where gratitude is baked into the work, not just reserved for special occasions.

When board members feel connected, seen, and valued regularly, they’re more likely to stay engaged, advocate for your mission, and grow into even stronger partners over time.