Nonprofit Board Development Best Practices! | Page 2 of 2

Board Development is of paramount importance in organizations, as it ensures that board members possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and capabilities to fulfill their roles and responsibilities effectively. Their collective expertise and guidance contribute significantly to the success and sustainability of nonprofit entities.

Find below our articles about Board Development best practices.

Rule #1 for Board Members: Fundraising is Based on Relationships With Donors

Some board members think fundraising is "hitting someone up." But fundraising is so very much more than that! Fundraising, in the very largest sense, is all about making the world a better place. People who don't understand fundraising devalue…

Board Members: Some Ideas About Fundraising That Might Surprise You!

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Inspiration, Motivating Board Members

If you are a nonprofit board member, does this sound familiar? Your organization needs more financial resources. And you are not sure which path to take: Should you: Help launch another fundraising event? Invite your friends people over…

How to Create a Fundraising Action Plan for Your Board

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

Board members are naturally nervous about fundraising. But there are ways to calm them down and make fundraising fun for them. No kidding! Here's how: set them up to do fundraising jobs that DON'T involve soliciting. Tell them…

Your Board Members Can Become “Door Openers.” Here’s How!

Board Development, Capital Campaign, Friendmaking, Major Gift Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

As a nonprofit leader, what would you most love your board members to do? Many nonprofit ED's share that - of all possible things - they wish their board members would simply open doors. That's all. Just open doors and make introductions. But…

Unleash Your Board Members’ Energy for Fundraising

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

Do you want to unleash your board members' energy for fundraising? Fundraising is often a huge pain point with many nonprofit board members. And it's a pain point for many fundraising staff members too. Staffers all want to know "how…

How to Screw Up Your Fundraising – Easy Steps to Financial Ruin

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration

Could the greatest challenges to fundraising success be coming from INSIDE your organization? The nonprofit world has been abuzz recently about a disturbing report detailing many internal challenges facing many nonprofit fundraising programs. The…

Don’t Be a Fundraising Dinosaur: 5 Big Ideas to Adopt Right Now

Asking for Donations, Board Development, Fundraising Strategy

Here are more provocative nuggets from the recent AFP International Conference in Vancouver. I just couldn't resist sharing these "status-quo" challenges! Here's my challenge: Take this list to your next board meeting. Ask your board members:…

Manifesto for a Fundraising Board

Board Development, Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit Leadership

Is your board ready to assume real leadership for your organization's future? If your board is ready to move from "managing" to "leading," here's a Manifesto for them to embrace. Wikipedia defines "manifesto" as "a public declaration…

5 Fundraising Mistakes We Make With Our Boards

Asking for Donations, Board Development, Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit Leadership

Do your nonprofit board members avoid fundraising? If your board members back off when they should be pitching in, this may be why! Don't make these mistakes that hurt, rather than help, our cause. Mistake #1: Thinking that fundraising is…

14 Easy Ways Board Members Can Raise Money

Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising

Board members can be enthusiastic fundraisers if you make it easy for them. Here are 14 examples of very specific natural, comfortable formats for asking. It's so helpful to board members when we can show them easy ways to make the ask. Offer…

10 Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Board Members

Board Development, Nonprofit Leadership

There's so much confusion about the appropriate job of a nonprofit board member.

Lots of boards ask me to help them understand what their work really is. I often refer to a list that BoardSource created a few years ago that has become a reference in our sector.

Here's the list. I'll be discussing these responsibilities in my upcoming blog posts. There's lots to talk about here! What do they really mean? How do you implement them?

Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards From BoardSource

Determine the organization's mission and purpose. It is the board's responsibility to create and review a statement of mission and purpose that articulates the organization's goals, means, and primary constituents served.
Select the chief executive. Boards must reach consensus on the chief executive's responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.
Provide proper financial oversight. The board must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.