NONPROFIT BOARD BUILDER

Rooney Akpesiri, CNC, CDE, CNE

I Help Nonprofit Founders and Executive Directors Recruit Mission-aligned Board Members With The Skills, Experience, and Network To Raise Money and Build The Organization's Fundraising System

I was running on fumes, trying to fundraise, manage a full-time job, and build a board all by myself. Rooney changed everything. Not only did we successfully recruit our new board, but we now have volunteers focused on specific areas, from social media to direct fundraising. I now spend less time weekly managing the structure, and the mission finally has momentum. I stopped drowning and started leading. This is the game-changer I always wanted.

— Tony Barnes, Founder, Another Blessed Ministry

Ready To Recruit New Board Members?

Diverse young professionals engaged in conversation around a communal table in a bright, modern community space with natural window lighting

Let Me Help You Recruit The Board You Need

In 48 hours, I will help you find over 30+ mission-aligned professionals with the skills and fundraising experience your organization needs to win, even if you are relatively new and unknown.

And in less than 2 weeks, we will interview and onboard the best fit to join your board based on your selection and final approval.

To get started, tell us about the kind of board members you want to recruit, and I'll get back to you on the best way to recruit them and how I can help you.

Complete The Board Recruitment Form

About Me

Rooney Akpesiri, CNC, CDE, CNE

I'm Rooney. Known to many as the Nonprofit Board Builder.

I started as a nonprofit founder many years ago, where I built my first board.

I made mistakes, damaged relationships, learned from the experience, rebuilt my board, and eventually developed a process that worked.

Since then, I have served on nonprofit boards, worked as a fundraising consultant, served as Vice President of a fundraising consulting firm working with nonprofits across the United States, trained hundreds of nonprofit founders and fundraisers, helped nonprofits strengthen their boards, and contributed to raising more than $5 million.

Today, I teach, coach, and work directly with founders and executive directors so they do not make the mistakes I made, damage their relationships, or waste their time.

Discuss With Rooney

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Rooney really knows his stuff. He has helped my board rethink how we fundraise and even changed how we value ourselves and our services. He provides quick and well-thought-out fundraising plans that are easy to follow, giving us the tools and confidence to implement. Highly recommend!

- Laura Anthony from Zero Waste San Diego

Working with Rooney has inspired myself and my board members to continue going forward with the mission. Each member understands the overall mission and how they play a critical role in going forward. For much of the time as the Founder and Executive Director, I came to a point where I felt stuck. Rooney was able to strategically help Bless It Solutions map out a plan where each board member is able to take charge in their area of expertise. He was also able to get the board members engaged and ready to help make an impact in our community. We are all so grateful for the opportunity for the board retreat, which was much needed.

- MARTINA Jones, Bless It Solutions Inc., SC

We were unsure as to raising money in these modern times for our nonprofit organization focused on preventing veteran suicide through canine companionship. Rooney gave us valuable fundraising insight and created a simple and organized fundraising plan I and my team can follow to raise money for our mission. Many Blessings Rooney, we appreciate you.

- Linda Floyd, Battle Buddies of Central Oregon

Rooney is our consultant at Community Thrive a nonprofit to help youth become independent. I waisted 6 months not knowing what I don't know before I hired him as a consultant. We accomplished in 4 months a board, a volunteer program currently staffed with 8 volunteers, a strategic plan for funding and too much to share. If you are on the fence, reach out to me. would be happy to tell you why you can't afford not to hire him.

- Donna Kargel, Community Thrive, FL

Mr Rooney did an outstanding job! The Board Leadership training gave me principles and resources to apply to recruiting board members and how to properly keep them engaged. I feel like I have the tools I need to be a great Board Leader and lead my team to executing plans we set out to reach. Thank you again for giving me structure for my Board of Directors

- Devona Boone, Natalie's Place Transitional Housing

Because of your input and your investment in my life as the founder and visionary, Blackfire Ministries, we now have a working board. We now have a fundraising fellowship of individuals that are passionate about what we do. It wasn’t like, ‘Let’s just find some random people.’ It’s like, ‘No, let’s find people that align with the mission and the vision of Blackfire Ministries, that are passionate about helping to bring awareness, helping to build Kingdom partnerships, and helping to get more input on how the next generation can share their faith.’ It was just very authentic and very intentional from start to finish.

Pastor Cyrena, Blackfire Ministries, MN

Rooney really knows his stuff. He has helped my board rethink how we fundraise and even changed how we value ourselves and our services. He provides quick and well-thought-out fundraising plans that are easy to follow, giving us the tools and confidence to implement. Highly recommend!

- Laura Anthony from Zero Waste San Diego

Working with Rooney has inspired myself and my board members to continue going forward with the mission. Each member understands the overall mission and how they play a critical role in going forward. For much of the time as the Founder and Executive Director, I came to a point where I felt stuck. Rooney was able to strategically help Bless It Solutions map out a plan where each board member is able to take charge in their area of expertise. He was also able to get the board members engaged and ready to help make an impact in our community. We are all so grateful for the opportunity for the board retreat, which was much needed.

- MARTINA Jones, Bless It Solutions Inc., SC

We were unsure as to raising money in these modern times for our nonprofit organization focused on preventing veteran suicide through canine companionship. Rooney gave us valuable fundraising insight and created a simple and organized fundraising plan I and my team can follow to raise money for our mission. Many Blessings Rooney, we appreciate you.

- Linda Floyd, Battle Buddies of Central Oregon

Rooney is our consultant at Community Thrive a nonprofit to help youth become independent. I waisted 6 months not knowing what I don't know before I hired him as a consultant. We accomplished in 4 months a board, a volunteer program currently staffed with 8 volunteers, a strategic plan for funding and too much to share. If you are on the fence, reach out to me. would be happy to tell you why you can't afford not to hire him.

- Donna Kargel, Community Thrive, FL

Mr Rooney did an outstanding job! The Board Leadership training gave me principles and resources to apply to recruiting board members and how to properly keep them engaged. I feel like I have the tools I need to be a great Board Leader and lead my team to executing plans we set out to reach. Thank you again for giving me structure for my Board of Directors

- Devona Boone, Natalie's Place Transitional Housing

Because of your input and your investment in my life as the founder and visionary, Blackfire Ministries, we now have a working board. We now have a fundraising fellowship of individuals that are passionate about what we do. It wasn’t like, ‘Let’s just find some random people.’ It’s like, ‘No, let’s find people that align with the mission and the vision of Blackfire Ministries, that are passionate about helping to bring awareness, helping to build Kingdom partnerships, and helping to get more input on how the next generation can share their faith.’ It was just very authentic and very intentional from start to finish.

Pastor Cyrena, Blackfire Ministries, MN

Rooney really knows his stuff. He has helped my board rethink how we fundraise and even changed how we value ourselves and our services. He provides quick and well-thought-out fundraising plans that are easy to follow, giving us the tools and confidence to implement. Highly recommend!

- Laura Anthony from Zero Waste San Diego

Working with Rooney has inspired myself and my board members to continue going forward with the mission. Each member understands the overall mission and how they play a critical role in going forward. For much of the time as the Founder and Executive Director, I came to a point where I felt stuck. Rooney was able to strategically help Bless It Solutions map out a plan where each board member is able to take charge in their area of expertise. He was also able to get the board members engaged and ready to help make an impact in our community. We are all so grateful for the opportunity for the board retreat, which was much needed.

- MARTINA Jones, Bless It Solutions Inc., SC

We were unsure as to raising money in these modern times for our nonprofit organization focused on preventing veteran suicide through canine companionship. Rooney gave us valuable fundraising insight and created a simple and organized fundraising plan I and my team can follow to raise money for our mission. Many Blessings Rooney, we appreciate you.

- Linda Floyd, Battle Buddies of Central Oregon

Rooney is our consultant at Community Thrive a nonprofit to help youth become independent. I waisted 6 months not knowing what I don't know before I hired him as a consultant. We accomplished in 4 months a board, a volunteer program currently staffed with 8 volunteers, a strategic plan for funding and too much to share. If you are on the fence, reach out to me. would be happy to tell you why you can't afford not to hire him.

- Donna Kargel, Community Thrive, FL

Mr Rooney did an outstanding job! The Board Leadership training gave me principles and resources to apply to recruiting board members and how to properly keep them engaged. I feel like I have the tools I need to be a great Board Leader and lead my team to executing plans we set out to reach. Thank you again for giving me structure for my Board of Directors

- Devona Boone, Natalie's Place Transitional Housing

Because of your input and your investment in my life as the founder and visionary, Blackfire Ministries, we now have a working board. We now have a fundraising fellowship of individuals that are passionate about what we do. It wasn’t like, ‘Let’s just find some random people.’ It’s like, ‘No, let’s find people that align with the mission and the vision of Blackfire Ministries, that are passionate about helping to bring awareness, helping to build Kingdom partnerships, and helping to get more input on how the next generation can share their faith.’ It was just very authentic and very intentional from start to finish.

Pastor Cyrena, Blackfire Ministries, MN