It is essential that all members of the organization, including the board members, are actively engaged in all fundraising activities. To do so not only solidifies their purpose on the board, it also asserts their determination to see the nonprofit thrive. Holding fast to the organization’s core identity and mission must be a shared responsibility, and board members are just as accountable to this facet as the staff and founders are.

Setting the Tone

Starting with the CEO or executive director, other leadership and board chair members, the launching of any soliciting donations campaign must be comprehensive with clear goals and strategy in order to be successful. The leadership must set forth a culture of purposeful fundraising that is rewarding and easy to support.

How to Get the Board to Participate

Selecting your board should include understanding that fundraising is part of the expectation. Set the tone from the onset that they are buying in to the financial responsibility of keeping the organization stable and growing.

If the leadership have no experience in fundraising, it would be in the organization’s best interest to hold a special meeting that includes an adviser or consultant who can come in and train everyone on the process.

Board Meeting Strategy

1) Every meeting should include some form of narrative that reminds all members of their organization’s purpose and why fundraising is essential.

2) Development discussions should not fall to the end of the meeting. In order to obtain sufficient attention and priority, it should be placed in the first half of the meeting time-frame.

3) Development director or board chair provide fundraising updates or reports in order to validate the gravity and reinforce the authority of the issue.

4) If motivational activities are part of your board meetings, include one that shares success stories relating to fundraising challenges.

Read the full article about why philanthropy board members need to be involved by Shella Zelenz at Zemmi.