Description

The NENN Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing large-animal veterinary education, workforce development, and emergency preparedness throughout Southern California. Through immersive educational experiences, mentorship, and partnerships with veterinary and agricultural professionals, the Foundation prepares students for careers in veterinary medicine while strengthening the workforce needed to support California's agricultural economy. The organization is entering an exciting period of growth that includes expanded philanthropic investment, increased grant activity, and long-term planning for Southern California's first educational large-animal veterinary teaching hospital.

The Opportunities:  The NENN Foundation is seeking two (2) board members to join its Board of Directors as an independent voting member. This is an opportunity to contribute your expertise where it will have meaningful and lasting impact. As a founding governance leader, you will help establish policies, strengthen accountability, and guide decisions that position the Foundation for sustainable growth and long-term public trust. 

• Experienced Nonprofit Attorney:
  • This individual will help shape the legal and governance framework of an organization entering an exciting period of institutional growth.  
  • Why This Role Matters: Strong governance is the foundation of every successful nonprofit organization. As the Foundation expands its educational programs, philanthropic partnerships, capital initiatives, and community impact, independent legal leadership is essential to ensuring sound governance, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship. Your guidance will help the organization build a durable institutional framework capable of serving students, veterinarians, agricultural communities, and future generations. 

• Experienced Certified Public Accountant or Nonprofit Financial Executive:
  • This individual will provide strategic financial leadership while helping establish governance systems that promote transparency, accountability, and long-term organizational sustainability. Rather than serving as the Foundation's accountant, this board member serves as an independent financial leader helping the Board fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities.
  • Why This Role Matters: Financial stewardship is one of the Board's most important responsibilities.  As the Foundation grows its educational programming, philanthropic partnerships, capital initiatives, and grant portfolio, experienced financial leadership becomes increasingly important. Your expertise will help ensure that charitable resources are managed responsibly while positioning the organization for sustainable growth. 

What You'll Help Build: Board members play an essential role in shaping the Foundation's future.  This is an opportunity to help build an institution with lasting regional and statewide impact.  As an independent director, you will help guide an organization working to: 

• Expand educational pathways into veterinary medicine.
• Strengthen California's agricultural workforce.
• Advance disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity.
• Build a regional teaching hospital serving veterinary education and clinical excellence.
• Establish governance practices that will support the organization for decades to come. 

Time Commitment:

• Quarterly Board meetings
• Periodic committee participation
• Occasional document review
• Average estimated commitment is approximately two to four hours each month. 

Requirements

1. NON-PROFIT ATTORNEY BOARD POSITION:

Key Leadership Responsibilities:

• Serve as an independent voting member of the Board of Directors.
• Provide strategic governance guidance on nonprofit best practices and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Support compliance with California nonprofit law, federal tax-exempt requirements, and governance policies.
• Review significant organizational agreements and governance documents from the perspective of board oversight.
• Help strengthen conflict-of-interest practices, transparency, and board accountability.
• Participate in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives
• Assist with board recruitment and governance development as the organization grows.
• Support oversight of grant compliance, institutional partnerships, and major organizational initiatives. 

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active California Bar membership in good standing.
• Experience advising nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Ability to exercise objective, independent judgment.
• Commitment to ethical leadership and collaborative decision-making. 

Preferred:

• Experience serving on nonprofit boards.
• Knowledge of charitable organizations, philanthropy, or grant-funded organizations.
• Familiarity with California nonprofit corporations.
• Interest in education, agriculture, veterinary medicine, workforce development, or community resilience. 

NON-PROFIT CPA BOARD POSITION/FINANCIAL EXECUTIVE:

Key Leadership Responsibilities:

• Serve as an independent voting member of the Board of Directors.
• Provide strategic oversight of financial governance and fiduciary practices.
• Support review of financial statements and organizational financial performance.
• Advise on nonprofit accounting standards, internal controls, and financial policies.
• Help strengthen grant compliance, restricted fund management, and financial reporting practices.
• Contribute to long-term financial planning, reserve policy development, and capital planning.
• Support the Finance Committee and help advance financial transparency across the organization.
• Participate in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives. 

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active California CPA license or equivalent senior nonprofit financial leadership experience.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting, finance, auditing, or financial management.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit financial reporting and governance.
• Ability to exercise objective, independent financial judgment.
• Commitment to ethical stewardship and sound financial oversight. 

Preferred:

• Nonprofit board or Finance Committee experience.
• Experience with grant-funded organizations.
• Familiarity with capital campaigns.
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards and charitable reporting.
• Interest in education, agriculture, veterinary medicine, workforce development, or community resilience.