Getting Your Board To Fundraise

As you might imagine, TakeTwo gets requests for help with this often.  Many nonprofits wish to get their Board of Directors in a place where they fundraise often and with more ease.

I want to share a couple of points to help you think about this and strategize on strengthening your Board’s fundraising abilities.

1. Come at the issue from a place of understanding.  Most people are, at their core, uncomfortable with the concept of asking for money. There are a number of real reasons for this:  a) when they ask for money, people feel as if they are begging – which, naturally, they would feel uncomfortable about; b) they are afraid of putting out the people they ask and placing them in awkward positions; c) they are afraid of rejection and fear they will resent those who say “no”; and d) they are afraid of failure – specifically, that they won’t be able to raise any money and everyone will know they were unsuccessful.  If you acknowledge these feelings for your Board Members in a very real way, you can start your fundraising work together with a mutual understanding, and work up a plan on how to address their concerns and be successful at the same time.
2. If you are disappointed in your Board, recognize that they are likely to have some issues and complaints of their own.  All relationships should be two-way streets.  When we meet clients who are angry with their Board and have a lot of ideas about how it could be better, we try to create a space for the Board of Directors to share its concerns and suggestions for strengthening the organization as well.  Many times, Executive Directors and Directors of Development place a great deal of blame for their fundraising woes on their Board of Directors.  This is not completely misplaced, but, naturally, the Board of Directors rejects this finger pointing, and resentment starts to breed – which is unhealthy and counterproductive for your staff/board relations, your donor cultivation efforts, and your work to achieve your mission.  The trained therapist in me strongly encourages space for constructive criticism and problem-solving from both Board members and staff.  This will level the playing field, allow all players to make necessary changes and compromises, and come to a place where you can move forward together as a team.
3. Be flexible and creative when offering fundraising solutions for your Board Members.  Everyone has different strengths and assets to offer.  There should be never be a cookie-cutter approach to your Board fundraising strategy.  Not everyone has the ability to bring in corporate sponsorships or donations – or to connect their organizations to high-net worth individuals.  But, your Board Member may be able to host a well-attended house party, or be an enthusiastic auction organizer for your annual benefit event, or have a large social media presence which s/he can successfully use to promote your mission and fundraise for a particular campaign or effort.  Everyone has something to offer – and it very well may be different from what you envisioned your Board Members contributing.  So, offer flexibility and creativity when you plan your fundraising for the year.

Try to remember, you are a team working together for a very good cause.  The Board of Directors should always be a work of progress and they are your best donors and volunteers.  Work hard to understand them and help them be successful Board Members.  Your understanding, flexibility, and creativity in working with them will go a long way.