Substance and Style

While some nonprofits have engaged Boards that regularly bring in revenue, there are far more that don’t do any fundraising at all. This can be a problem when it comes to finding new grants; many foundations will not even consider funding organizations that don’t have 100% Board contributions. With only slightly over half of nonprofits in the United States requiring direct donations from Board members, it’s vital to get Boards engaged in fundraising. It’s not just about the funds they bring in themselves; it’s about the way your organization looks to other potential funders. 

Many Board members, like most people, do not like to ask people for money. If you’re in charge of the Development Department, you will likely always have to do the bulk of the asking yourself. However, if you can bring your Board members into other parts of your fundraising process, you can leverage their connections to find more support in the community. Having them dip their toes in this way also makes them more likely to dive in later. Here are three ways they can get involved (and really help you) without directly asking for money:

1. Education. Education is an important part of resource development. Whether you need donors, sponsors, volunteers, community partners, donated services, or anything else, people only give to you when they understand your mission. While Board members might not be comfortable asking for money, they probably are comfortable talking about the organization. They joined the Board for a reason. If you find out their reasons, you can ask them to talk about the things that drew them to your nonprofit. This is an important step in getting any kind of community support.
   
2. Identifying potential supporters. If you can get your Board members to regularly identify people they know who are impacted by your mission, who are looking for nonprofits to support, or who have philanthropy as part of their business’s mission, you can begin to build relationships with people who are likely to benefit from those relationships and support your cause. Your Board is likely connected to people you wouldn’t normally meet.
   
3. Stewardship. Stewardship is one of the most important parts of the fundraising process, yet many development professionals find they have the least amount of time for it. Thanking your supporters and making them feel appreciated is the easiest way to turn them into repeat givers. It’s also just the right thing to do. Getting the board involved serves two main purposes: 1) your supporters feel truly special when they get attention from Board members, and 2) your Board members begin to build relationships with your supporters. Eventually, this will make your Board members more comfortable asking for donations. It also makes your supporters more likely to donate without even being asked.