Empowering Your Board to Lead Fundraising
The most successful fundraising charities I have seen over the years share an important common denominator: strong Boards of Directors who understand and commit to the organization’s strategic vision, and who are prepared to play whatever role they can in advancing the fundraising file.
Board members have a responsibility to ensure that the charity is financially stable and sustainable. By taking an active role in fundraising, they can help ensure that the charity has the resources it needs to operate effectively.
- Board members can leverage their networks: Board members often have extensive networks of contacts and connections, which can be valuable for fundraising purposes. By leveraging these networks, they can help the charity reach a wider audience of potential donors.
- Board members set the tone for giving: When board members take an active role in fundraising and make their own donations, they set an example for other donors and stakeholders. This can help create a culture of giving within the organization.
- Board members are accountable to donors: Board members have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that donations are used effectively and efficiently. By taking an active role in fundraising, they can help ensure that the charity is accountable to its donors and stakeholders.
That’s not to say that every Board director should be required to actively solicit donations directly from prospective donors. Each Board member brings different aptitudes, interests, networks, and skills to the table. And in some way, all of those various skills can be deployed in service of raising funds…even if its not in directly soliciting donations. Everyone has a role to play, that plays to their respective strengths.
By leading fundraising, a charity’s board can help ensure the organization’s financial sustainability and success, while also setting an example for other stakeholders and creating a culture of giving within the organization.
There are several ways in which a charity can empower its board of directors to be leaders in fundraising:
- Provide training: Many board members may not have experience in fundraising or may not be aware of the latest fundraising techniques. Providing training sessions or workshops can equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively raise funds for the charity.
- Set clear expectations: It’s important to set clear expectations for board members regarding their fundraising responsibilities. This can include specific fundraising goals, timelines, and strategies that they are expected to follow.
- Foster a culture of giving: Board members are more likely to be effective fundraisers if they are personally invested in the charity’s mission and programs. Encourage board members to make their own donations and lead by example in terms of their giving.
- Assign specific fundraising tasks: Assigning specific fundraising tasks to board members can help them feel more engaged and involved in the fundraising process. For example, one board member could be responsible for identifying and cultivating major donors, while another could be responsible for organizing fundraising events.
- Provide support and resources: Board members may need support and resources to be effective fundraisers. This can include access to donor databases, fundraising software, and other tools that can help them track and manage their fundraising efforts.
By following these strategies, a charity can empower its board of directors to be leaders in fundraising, which can help the organization meet its fundraising goals and make a greater impact for the community it serves.
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Seeing around corners for charities and non profits for over 34 years.
