Insights for Non-Profits

One of the most common challenges non-profits face is getting board members to engage in fundraising. Many charities may not require their board members to donate or fundraise. If they do, the expectation may not be properly communicated to board members.

Successful charities have active board members who understand fundraising is part of their responsibility. It’s important for board members to understand their role in the organization’s fundraising and development. This includes ensuring the organization is making good financial decisions, helping with fundraising from outside donors, and potentially making personal monetary contributions.

Below are strategies non-profits can use to set their board members up to be successful and ease them into fundraising and help fulfill the organization’s mission.

• Set a clear expectation. Before board members become board members, they should know they are required to fundraise. This includes donating their own money and/or soliciting monetary, or in-kind donations. Putting fundraising expectations in board by-laws will make this responsibility clear to board members.
• Set up fundraising information sessions with board members. Include guest speakers at board meetings who provide fundraising strategies for your board members. Fundraising may be something board members are not fully comfortable with, so providing them with tools and insight can be helpful. Being prepared will assist in leading the Board’s fundraising initiative to one of success rather than failure.
• Understand your board members strengths. Most volunteer boards have a unique skillset Understanding the individual members and team dynamics will help your organization devise strategies to kick-start your board’s fundraising efforts and make your board feel more comfortable with fundraising.
• Identify prospects to approach for contributions. Tapping into a board member’s contacts can be a powerful fundraising tool. For example, once a year, ask board members to list 5-10 prospective donors – including businesses, individuals and foundations – where the board member has contacts and connections. If the contact is not a current donor, board members can help decide how to approach them and come up with an outreach strategy for new prospects.
• Involve board members in writing personal appeals. Board members are full of ideas, stories and testimonials that can be used in fundraising campaigns. Getting an appeal from someone who is passionate about the cause is more engaging and likely to receive a positive response.
• Engage board members in attending solicitation meetings. Including board members in your meetings can make “the ask” especially persuasive. Board members can share their personal story, explain why they are inspired to get involved, and share a different perspective. However, it’s important to make sure board members have contacts and connections to the people involved in these meetings.

Before joining a board, board members should know what is expected of them – and that includes fundraising. This starts with non-profits setting clear expectations of what level of fundraising, whether it’s donating themselves or securing in-kind or monetary donations is required of them. Each board member should be aware of what their role is and how their unique position is helping to fulfill the nonprofit’s mission.

We’re committed to providing useful resources and insights to help boards and staff of endowments and foundations. Check out our blog post on what to know before becoming a board member, and download IMPACT, our publication for nonprofits, endowments, and foundations.