Member, Board of Trustees

About Americans United

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all of us. Founded in 1947, Americans United is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all walks of life: lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans. AU includes people of faith and people who don’t profess any particular faith. It is a community that welcomes individuals of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Americans United has grown to about $18M in annual revenue with more than 50 employees and is continuing to expand. Our Board has 11 trustees and is expanding to include up to three more to provide governance, fiduciary oversight, and strategic leadership as the organization continues its work to ensure church-state separation and protect everyone’s right to live as themselves and believe as they choose, so long as they do not harm others.  

Americans United is committed to a diverse and inclusive Board. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and believe that a variety of perspectives and life experiences are critical to best serve the organization’s mission.

Board Candidate Profiles

AU is seeking up to four new Board members. In addition to a commitment to church-state separation and a collaborative mindset, candidates for each role should have the qualifications listed below.

Candidate Profile #1: Financial Advisor

• Ability to provide vital financial oversight to ensure the organization’s financial health
• Deep investing expertise, including with investment policy statement development, asset allocation, and developing/monitoring investment strategies
• Ability to identify financial risks and support financial planning
• Experience reviewing and monitoring annual budgets and nonprofit financial statements to ensure the organization operates sustainably

Candidate Profile #2: Fundraiser

• Ability and willingness to serve as an effective fundraiser for the organization
• Experience making or securing six-figure donations for nonprofit organizations, or a capacity and willingness to do so
• Willingness to work with staff to embed a culture of philanthropy across the Board by ensuring that every trustee understands their role in supporting the organization’s fundraising efforts

Candidate Profile #3 : Legal Expert

• Significant litigation and/or appellate experience and willingness to use these skills to support AU’s litigation team and the organization’s legal strategies
• Deep understanding of the interaction between litigation and other advocacy strategies such as policy work, communications, and organizing
• Expertise on issues related to AU’s litigation, such as employment law, free speech, and other civil rights issues
• Ability to connect AU to pro bono legal support

Candidate Profile #4: Public Policy/Media Ambassador  

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to foster connections with policymakers and/or media outlets and individuals to boost AU's effectiveness, brand, and visibility.

Additional Board Information

This is a fiduciary Board role. Board members are expected to:

• Attend three meetings per year, including one half-day virtual meeting and two full-day in-person meetings—and a full-day retreat—held in Washington, DC
• Attend the organization’s annual Summit for Religious Freedom, held in conjunction with the Board’s first in-person meeting of the year
• Serve on at least one standing committee, which will meet a minimum of three times each year virtually
• Respond to staff and Board officer communications in a timely and professional manner, generally within 72 hours
• Stay informed about the organization’s activities, challenges, and opportunities by reading organizational updates and engaging in Board and committee meetings and discussions
• Provide financial support to AU through a personally meaningful donation and/or fundraising for the organization

Application Information

To apply to join AU’s Board of Trustees, please submit a resume. In lieu of a cover letter, you will be asked to provide a brief response to several questions about your background and experience. We are accepting applications until August 21. For additional information, please contact Cyndi Hess, Chief Operating Officer, at hess@au.org.