It is generally accepted that nonprofit Board members have, as part of their implied fiduciary duties, a responsibility both to give and to participate in their organization’s fundraising efforts. And yet organizations frequently find it difficult to engage Board members in the fundraising process effectively. While some Board members do embrace fundraising willingly, many others approach the responsibility with serious trepidation and respectful avoidance. If you have experience in nonprofit fundraising, you have inevitably heard some variation of “I will do anything to help, but I don’t like to fundraise”.
For some organizations it can even seem that engaging Board members in fundraising is simply more trouble than it is worth. But we believe nothing could be further from the truth. Board members add credibility to an organization’s fundraising efforts, especially at face-to-face solicitations. They can serve as a classic force multiplier increasing an organization’s available resources directed to seeking critical support. They can bring connectivity to donors and prospects through strong personal relationships. They are a powerful source of information about the philanthropic interests and giving capacity of donors and prospects. Board members can do things in the realm of fundraising that staff cannot do. The highest performing fundraising organizations find ways to effectively engage Board members in their philanthropic programs.
In our experience, Board members fall into several different categories in terms of the potential ways they can add value to a fundraising program. There are Board members who are very comfortable setting meetings and asking for gifts face-to-face on their own. There are Board members who are comfortable with joining a meeting and helping to make the case, but not with making the ask themselves. There are Board members who are comfortable following up with donors who have given in the past, but not yet in the current year. There are Board members who are comfortable recruiting new Board members and/or advisory board members. (Though indirect, this is still an important fundraising role.) There are Board members who are comfortable soliciting a business where they have a relationship, but not individuals.
Strong fundraising programs acknowledge these differences and design strategies to effectively engage as many Board members as possible. The most effective fundraising programs recognize that one size does not fit all and that fundraising is a team sport.