Board Opportunity
META (Making Education the Answer) Foundation

Organization Profile

Mission Statement

The META (Making Education the Answer) is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities to the underserved Latinx student community in Southern California through college scholarships and educational mentorship.

Organization Description

META has been at the forefront of access to college education for more than 20 years.

META’s Scholars are lifting themselves and their families into higher socio-economic levels. Upon graduation from college, they are professionals in their fields. Some of our more recent graduates are in law school, medical school and working for social justice causes at various nonprofits. They are changing the world!

META supports its scholars for all four years of college with scholarships, mentorship and access to additional educational opportunities, including topics such as business etiquette, personal finance and LinkedIn usage.

Our Executive Director’s work includes preparing the grant checks for the scholars, mentoring the scholars, planning/executing our fundraisers, strategic planning, financial management and more.

91% of our talented scholars are first generation college students. All META Scholars are extraordinarily low income.

META Scholars are all from the greater LA area, but they attend colleges and universities locally and throughout the country, including Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, NYU, Franklin & Marshall, USC, UCLA and more.

META Scholars are committed to achieving academic success and paying their success forward.

Service Area
Regional: Greater Los Angeles area

Staff Size
0 people

Board Size
6 people

Average Board Tenure
11 years

Programming Area(s)
Higher Education, Scholarships

https://www.meta-foundation.org/

Address

8383 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1000

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Board Position

Term Length
3 years years

Position Description

META-Board-of-Directors-Job-Description.pdf

Member of the Board of Directors

Mission

META is a nonprofit, 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and scholarships to Latinx youth in Southern California with the vision of increasing the opportunities for these youth to become successful business and community leaders.

For more information, please visit META’s website at www.meta-foundation.org

Position

The Board will support the work of META and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by META’s Executive Director (ED), the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected.

Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

Leadership, governance and oversight

• Serving as a trusted advisor to the ED as s/he develops and implements META’s strategic plan
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by META for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings
• Approving META’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
• Assisting the ED and Board Chair(s) in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
• Partnering with the ED and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
• Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
• Representing META to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
• Ensuring META’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities META serves

Fundraising

META Board Members will consider META a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority.

• So that META can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, corporations and individuals, META expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.
• Individual Board Members are expected to give or get a minimum of $5,000 annually to/for META.
• Each Board member is asked to participate in the active solicitation and fundraising efforts of at least two (2) fundraising events each year to their full capability.

Board terms/participation

META’s Board Members will serve a three-year term and be eligible for re-appointment. Board meetings will be held quarterly (or as needed) and committee meetings will be held as appropriate.

Qualifications

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about META’s mission and who has a track record of board leadership. Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
• A commitment to and understanding of META’s beneficiaries, preferably based on experience
• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of META’s beneficiaries

Service on META’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties.

 

Estimated monthly time commitment
4 hours

Board charitable giving policy
META asks that each Board Member give or get $5,000.

Desired board member experience/expertise
Corporate Executive
Legal
Programs/Projects