Next week I will be facilitating a 3-hour Board Training workshop in Washington DC. Our focus is on the board’s role in fundraising and how each unique member can be effective in helping with a nonprofit organization’s fundraising efforts.
As I’ve prepared for the training, it’s become very apparent to me that many board members don’t see themselves as fundraisers. Even more concerning, they don’t want to be involved in fundraising.
There are differing views on a board member’s role in fundraising for a nonprofit organization, to be sure. But to me, it seems like a no-brainer. Of COURSE they should be involved.
Your nonprofit board is not staff. They are not paid representatives of your organization (typically), but they are a critical part of your organization’s team. They have signed on as ambassadors by agreeing to serve on your board. They have often signed agreements to donate hours, money, resources. If nothing else, they have allowed you to attach their name to your organization. They are important. They are influential. They are key players…and not just in policymaking decision, but in fundraising.
Not every board member is able to donate funds to an organization, although all should be asked. But every board member can help with fundraising in many ways, including the following:
- Recommend your organization to their friends and colleagues
- Identify their personal and professional circle of influence and recommend potential donors based on their knowledge of the person or organization
- Sit on your organization’s development committee
- Attend your organization’s events and participate in the storytelling
- Attend civic and community events and share your organization’s story
- Join the CEO in potential donor visits
- And the list goes on….
