Tips to engage your Board in fundraising

Recently, I facilitated an Executive Director’s Roundtable and our topic of conversation was engaging Board members in Fundraising.  I think most of us would like to see more participation from Boards when it comes to raising money!

Here are some tips for helping them join in on the fun:

  • Set the expectation when you recruit new members that they will need to give a personal gift AND participate in fundraising. This will help you avoid a bunch of mess later on.
  • Be clear with Board members about what you want them to do. They aren’t mind readers.
  • Make it easy for them as much as you can. This will encourage more participation.
  • Give them the tools or training they need to be successful. Make sure they have a fact sheet about your organization and that they know a story or two that they can tell.
  • Help them find where they fit in. For those who don’t want to do direct Asks, ask them to make Thank You calls to donors. Or ask them to host dinner parties in their home to share with their friends about the good work your organization is doing.
  • And don’t forget to celebrate successes with them! Positive reinforment will help shore up their new skills!

    Comments

    1. Fully contributing boards are so important, and I believe those who contribute themselves are mor apt to make the ask from others.

      http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=22

    2. Hi Sandy-

      I’ve been following your sage advice for quite some time!

      Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel (ESPT) was founded to support humanitarian 501c3′s in the destinations our philanthropic clients visit.

      Engaging the Board of Directors has been an essential component of creating 4profit/non-profit strategic fund raising Philanthropic Donor Tours.

      Leading by example is an effective strategy that works in all kinds of organizations, so it follows that engaged stakeholders are key to generating educational, inspirational and financially empowering fund raising experiences…

      With gratitude for your advice,
      David

      ~~~

      Best Practice: Leveraging the 1:1 Personal Fundraising Power of Philanthropic Travel

      Our (probono) May 2009 Americans helping Americans Fund Raising Philanthropic Travel Donor Tour seeks to raise $50,000 to benefit the Appalachian Media Institute (AMI) a 501c3.

      ESPT & The Make it Real Foundation seek philanthropists who are interested in matching our donations and sponsoring the 2009 AMI Scholarship Summer program in one of the most economically and environmentally devastated regions of the USA.

      Learn More:

      Appalachian Media Institute (AMI):
      http://tinyurl.com/4jgt8t

      Make it Real Foundation:
      http://tinyurl.com/3l2lzg

      Philanthropic Trip Itinerary:
      http://tinyurl.com/4cr3z9

    3. Polprav says:

      Hello from Russia

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