Unlock Your Board's Fundraising Power: Setting Goals & Getting Engaged

We all know keeping a nonprofit afloat requires a steady stream of funding. But fundraising can feel daunting, especially when it comes to engaging your board of directors. The truth is, your board can be a fundraising powerhouse, not a silent partner.

💪 Why Board Engagement Matters

• Network & Relationships: Board members bring a wealth of connections. Leverage their professional and social circles to reach new donors and cultivate existing ones.

• Credibility & Trust: When board members are personally invested, it sends a powerful message to potential donors. They see a group passionate about the cause, increasing the likelihood of giving.

• Leadership & Advocacy: Engaged board members become champions for your mission. They can be vocal advocates, spreading the word and generating excitement about your work.

📈 The Power of Board Fundraising Goals

Setting a fundraising goal specifically for your board isn't just about the numbers. It fosters a culture of ownership and accountability. Here's how:

• Clarity & Focus: A defined goal provides direction for board members' fundraising efforts. They understand their role and can focus their energy strategically — especially when you’ve involved them in the goal-setting process.

• Increased Commitment: Having a personal goal makes board members more likely to actively participate in fundraising activities.

• Measurable Impact: Tracking board fundraising progress allows you to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement.

💰 Setting Board Fundraising Goals:

• Consider Capacity: Be realistic about the amount of time and resources board members can dedicate.

• Align with Overall Goals: Ensure the board's fundraising goal complements your organization's larger fundraising strategy.

• Offer Options: Provide a variety of fundraising methods to cater to different board members' strengths and preferences (e.g., soliciting major gifts, hosting events, grant writing, shared social media posts, etc.).

🗣️ Building a Culture of Board Fundraising

• Set Expectations: Clearly outline board fundraising responsibilities in recruitment materials and onboarding processes.

• Train Your Board: Provide training on fundraising best practices to empower board members and increase their confidence. This can include developing resources such as a written elevator pitch, brochure, and “brand language” document outlining specific vocabulary to use when talking about your organization.
  BONUS: You can find our Board Briefing One-Pager, which we use as a guide for our organization’s board of directors. It has (mostly) everything a board member would need to talk to someone about our organization.

• Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate board members' fundraising achievements to maintain enthusiasm.

➜ Best Practices for Board Fundraising:

• Leverage Corporate Giving: Encourage board members to tap into their professional networks to secure corporate sponsorships. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for finding decision-makers in corporate philanthropy or foundation roles.

• Craft a Compelling Case Statement: Develop a clear and concise document that outlines your organization's impact and funding needs.

• Build a Board Fundraising Toolkit: Equip your board with the tools they need to track progress, manage relationships, and collaborate effectively.

💸 Nonprofit Board Fundraising Methods:

• Social Media Fundraising: Utilize social media platforms to share your mission, connect with donors, and run fundraising campaigns. Think of ways to connect with prospective donors besides organic social posts, such as going live, hosting a live panel, or having your board of directors film video stories about why they’re involved.

• Embrace Virtual Events: Host online events like webinars, speaker sessions, or virtual auctions to broaden your reach and engage supporters remotely.

• Standing Committee for Resource Development: For larger organizations, consider establishing a dedicated committee to oversee board fundraising efforts.

• Focus on Grants: Explore grant opportunities that align with your mission and expertise. Be aware that many grantors will want to see a proven track record for fundraising and impact. It’s quite tricky for newer, smaller organizations to secure funding, and it may be more wise to focus on grassroots efforts such as family, friends, and your immediate network.

• Donor Appreciation: Engage board members in expressing gratitude to existing donors to strengthen relationships and encourage continued support. Have your board members make phone calls or write emails to donors to express their gratitude personally for supporting your organization.

🛑 Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them:

• Overlooking Individual Donors: Don't chase big checks at the expense of cultivating relationships with individual donors, who make up the majority of charitable contributions.

• Neglecting Volunteers: Volunteers are potential donors too! Explore ways to engage them in fundraising efforts.

• Ignoring Existing Donors: Focus on retaining existing donors through ongoing communication and appreciation.

• Event Fatigue: Avoid stale fundraising events. Regularly analyze their effectiveness and consider innovative alternatives.

• Lack of Annual Plan: Develop a comprehensive annual fundraising plan that sets goals, outlines strategies, and tracks progress.

• Skipping Progress Tracking: Monitor board fundraising efforts throughout the year to identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes.

👏 Conclusion

Board fundraising is an ongoing process with constant room for improvement. By setting clear expectations, providing training and support, and implementing best practices, you can unlock the fundraising power of your board and propel your organization's mission forward.

We hope this deep dive into board fundraising empowers you to create a thriving culture of giving within your board!

Hustle always, 💪

Ryan Almusawi