Six seats. Five open.
Ground floor.
Elliss is building a founding board of people who want to leave a mark on something real. This is an early-stage, mission-driven nonprofit at an exciting inflection point — and founding board members are named permanently across the platform.
We value your time. Here is exactly what we ask.
Meeting Cadence
4–6 board meetings per year (quarterly + up to 2 special sessions). Meetings are 60–90 minutes; remote-friendly. Agenda and materials provided 5 days in advance.
Time Outside Meetings
2–4 hours per month on average. Committee participation (finance, programs, or development). Occasional email reviews and async approvals.
Network & Fundraising
Personal introductions to potential donors, partners, or grantors. Champion Elliss in your professional and civic networks. No mandatory give/get minimum at founding stage.
Term & Renewal
3-year founding term, renewable by mutual agreement. Founding board members hold naming recognition permanently. We ask for active engagement — presence matters.
Why board members say yes to founding opportunities.
Ground-Floor Access
You help shape an organization before it is defined. Your voice carries weight in bylaws, strategy, programs, and partnerships at the moment when it matters most.
Real Mission Impact
Elliss connects real people to real resources in a real community. You will see the impact of your service reflected in volunteer hours logged, families housed, and donations that actually land.
Network & Relationships
You help shape an organization before it is defined. Connect with co-founders, partner organizations, donors, and civic leaders across Rock and Dane County.
Governance Experience
Formal nonprofit board service — complete with bylaws, 990 oversight, and committee responsibility — is valued experience for any professional resume or leadership portfolio.
Founding Board Recognition
Your name is permanently listed as a founding board member of Elliss on the platform, in every grant application, press release, and annual report — for as long as Elliss exists.
Board Chair / Strategy
Paul Schaum
Co-Founder / CTO
Technology strategy, product roadmap, content marketing, grant writing
Five open seats. All ground floor.
Treasurer
Finance / CPA / CFO
- Financial oversight and budgeting
- Audit preparation and compliance
- 990 filing coordination
Fundraising & Development
Nonprofit Development / Major Gifts
- Grant cultivation and corporate partnerships
- Donor relations and fundraising strategy
- Major gift cultivation
Legal & Governance
Attorney / Compliance
- 501(c)(3) compliance
- Bylaws, board governance, contracts
- Risk management
Community Relations
Community / Nonprofit / Social Work
- Partner org relationships
- Community outreach
- Programs committee and local trust
Equity & Community Voice
Social Work / Minority Background / Bilingual
- Ensures product and decisions reflect communities served
- Community accountability and authentic voice
- DEI representation
We're asking you to join us on the Elliss founding board.
Have a conversation with Samantha and Paul. No commitment required.