How Board Members Can Help Increase Donations by 39%
Annual Giving, Board Members & Fundraising, Culture of Philanthropy, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Year-End Fundraising Campaign If you are serving as a nonprofit board member, I'm sure you are often asked to help in fundraising. Here's how you and your fellow board members can help increase donations to your organization by 39% - without having to do any "asking." To…
NO ASK Fundraising Strategies for Board Members
Board Members & Fundraising, Major Gift Fundraising NO ASK fundraising strategies for board members? Is this possible? Often, we find that board members are nervous about the idea of fundraising. They want to help, but shy away from the idea of "asking." We recently shared our favorite list…
10 Fundraising Responsibilities of Every Board Member
Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy What are the fundraising responsibilities of board members of a nonprofit organization? Above all, board members carry the legal responsibility for the fiduciary care of their nonprofit. In that vein, it's their responsibility to ensure that…
Board Chairs: How to Fire Up Your Board with a Call to Action
Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising Here's a call to action for all board chairs! You have a big job. Especially these days. Many organizations are facing major decisions - about funding, staffing, service delivery - and everything else. As we said two weeks ago, a small…
A Small Goal and A Small Vision Won’t Cut It In This Environment
Board Members & Fundraising Okay, forewarning - this is a bit of a rant. Prepare yourself for some tough love, some hard truths, and some tangible takeaways to keep your organization on the right track during this pandemic! Trust me, a small vision won't cut it. Nonprofits…
5 Ways Board Members Can Boost Your Virtual Year-End Campaign
Board Members & Fundraising, Year-End Fundraising Campaign This year, your year-end fundraising campaign may look a little different. With social distancing still the norm for many people, you'll be using digital tools and direct mail, with no personal visits or gatherings. You need your board members'…
Board Members: How to Approach Decision-Making in Times of Crisis
Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Motivating Board MembersIf you’re a board member serving an institution or organization, you are probably dealing with many challenging decisions in this time of crisis. This is a difficult time for everyone and board decision-making is not easy. Your organization…
Nonprofit Board Members: Leadership Tips for Uncertain Times
Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising As a nonprofit board member, you have much to deal with right now, as you might in any time of crisis. It’s a tough position to be in, because board membership carries a lot of responsibility. The board is the legal authority entrusted…
Give Board Members Something to Say-Help Them Become Personal Advocates for Your Cause
Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising If you are a board member for a nonprofit, we imagine that you're excited and passionate about your favorite organization. We're willing to bet that you joined the board because you really, really believed in the cause. It meant a lot to…
New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members
Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Motivating Board Members It's the New Year - and it's a great time to make smart resolutions for the future! This post is updated from posts I wrote in 2018, 2017 and 2015. It's a perennial favorite with my readers - so we've updated it again for 2020! Here…
What role should board members play in major gifts fundraising?
Board Members & Fundraising, Major Gift FundraisingMany people ask this question: what is the best role for board members in major gifts fundraising? Are board members supposed to be out there making asks? Are they supposed to open doors and make introductions? How are they supposed to…
How to Fire-Up Your Board’s Energy in 10 Minutes
Board Members & Fundraising, Motivating Board Members Do you ever wish you could fire-up your board's energy? Wouldn't it be wonderful to have all your board members enthusiastic and excited about their role? Just think what you might be able to accomplish with a fired-up group of well-connected,…
How to Appreciate Your Fundraising Team
Board Members & Fundraising, Culture of Philanthropy In the nonprofit sector, it seems many people doing the hard work are not often thanked or appreciated. The fundraising team lavishes attention on supporters. But who remembers those hardworking staffers themselves? Many great fundraisers…
Storytelling for Board Members: How to Unleash New Energy and Commitment
Board Members & Fundraising Storytelling for board members just might be a lost art. The fact is, most board members simply don’t know what to say when they have the opportunity to talk about their cause! Once a board member actually asked me: “If I get a…
How to Engage Board Members in Major Gift Fundraising
Board Members & Fundraising, Major Gift Fundraising, Motivating Board MembersThere are so many ways we can engage board members in major gift fundraising. The challenge is, exactly, deciding the best ways to try to engage them. Where, within your fundraising program, can they lend their weight and help the most? Board…
Top 10 Things to Understand About How Fundraising Really Works Today
Board Members & Fundraising, Nonprofit Leadership Wouldn't it be wonderful if everybody in your organization agreed on what really works for fundraising success? What's important? What's not so important? What basic principles can you agree on? There's often a philosophical disagreement…