1. ENGAGING YOUR BOARD
IN FUNDRAISING
Presented by Gail M. Sudore, CFRE
The Center For Nonprofit Success
Cincinnati Fundraising Summit
November 17-18, 2009
2. āIāLL DO ANYTHING BUT FUNDRAISEā
~
WHY BOARD MEMBERS HATE FUNDRAISING
ļ® Perceive it as begging for money
ļ® Feel it requires them to take advantage of their
friendships to leverage gifts
ļ® Fear of rejection
ļ® Donāt know how to do it effectively
3. 10% would absolutely refuse to take a role
in fundraising
25% have never participated in any kind of
gift solicitation
50% find fundraising ādistastefulā
75% would participate in fundraising if they
had to- but wouldnāt enjoy it!
4. āMEMBERSHIP ON THIS BOARD IS
NOT POWER, IT IS RESPONSIBILITY.ā
āThe board of directorsā
its strength, involvement, and commitmentā
is probably the most important determinant of whether the organization
stays alive.
A board is the vital link that connects the organization to the larger
community. At the most basic level, the board represents
the community to the nonprofit and vice versa. The quality of this
two-way relationship is the shape and content of a nonprofitās
success.
It is a board memberās commitment, skills, connections, influence,
leadership, effort and willingness to give of their time that are
keys to making the organization work.ā
~Peter Drucker, Americaās foremost management authority
5. TRANSLATING
THE SENSE OF POWER/OWNERSHIP
INTO A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Organizations with engaged and well-connected
boards who use their personal influence and
donation to set a standard to stimulate funding
resources are usually the best known and
most respected organizations, whether or not
their programs/products/services/brand
are relatively known
6. AN UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE:
PHILANTHROPY IS BASED ON VALUES
Securing funding support centers on fund development, which embraces
but is not synonymous with fundraising
ļ® Development is the process of uncovering shared values
ļ® Development is a series of deliberate activities by which organizations
involve and retain funders/supporters/stakeholders in a (āshared ownershipā)
donor-investor relationship
ļ® Development is based on the premise that all giving is a form of investment
āThe request for a gift is less an appeal for money to meet an organizationās
needs and budget goals than an invitation to join in an entrepreneurial
venture, an opportunity to invest in a process that pays dividends in the form
of a stronger, more vital communityā
-Kay Sprinkel Grace, Author of Beyond The Tin Cup: New Strategies For Nonprofit Innovation And Investment
7. IT BEGINS WITH THE BOARDāS
JOB DESCRIPTION AND ORIENTATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD ORIENTATION
JOB DESCRIPTION ā¢PROGRAM:
POSITION: Member, Board of Directors Offer new board members a feel for the work of the
organizationā what it does, whom it serves, what
PURPOSE: To provide governanceā¦ difference it makesā to get them emotionally and
intellectually connected and motivated.
RESPONSIBLE TO: As an entity...
ā¢FINANCES:
PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES: Help new board members become informed about
where money comes from, how it is spent, and the
ā¢Understand and accept the organizationās state of the organizationās financial health, including
mission, purpose, principles and philosophy their role in fund development and fundraising.
ā¢Ensure adequate funding for the organizationās ā¢HISTORY:
work and operations Provide sufficient knowledge about the past so that the
present makes sense. Also, help new board members
ā¢Support, promote, contribute (according to see their own participation as part of the organizationās
ability) and participate in the organizationās ongoing and evolving story.
resource/fund development and fundraising ā¢STRATEGIC DIRECTION:
efforts Present a framework for new members to participate
effectively. Clarify the mission, vision, organizational
ā¢Serve as an advocate and ambassador, for the
values, and goals that inform organizational actions.
organization, interpret the organization to, and
ā¢ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
interact with the community
Help new board members understand who does what,
SPECIFIC DUTIES: roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability.
ā¢Share information on needs, trends,
resources, etc., of the community as ~From the āBoard Orientation Chartā,
applicable BoardSource
BoardJobDescriptionGENERAL.doc
8. THE SIX MAJOR ROLES OF A BOARD MEMBER
ļ® GOVERNORS Protecting the public interest, fulfilling corporate
obligations (which include financial management and organizational stewardship),
and ensuring the organization achieves its purpose āCo-creators of the futureā
ļ® AMBASSADORS Articulating, communicating and interpreting the
organization, its mission, work, validity, impact and value (i.e., how it meets the needs
and challenges the community faces) to the community, defending the organization
when it is under pressure, and representing the organization in their constituencies
and communities āPowerful Testifiersā
ļ® ADVOCATES Promoting the interests of the organization and the
people it serves (the relationship of paid staff members to
the organization is often perceived in the community as one of āenlightened self-
interestā; because board members are volunteer leaders who give freely of their time
and effort, board members bring enhanced credibility to the organization and are
in a unique position to act as an advocate for the organization within the community
board members are the most powerful and effective advocates a nonprofit has, far
more effective than professional P.R. specialists, lobbyists and fundraisers)
āPassionate Championsā
9. THE SIX MAJOR ROLES OF A BOARD MEMBER CONTINUED:
ļ® INFORMATION GATHERERS Finding out what the
community needs, challenges, issues and opportunities are, learning what the
perception of the organization is in the community, and bringing those needs,
challenges, issues and opportunities to the organization (which can help the
organization improve its program, services and work)
ļ® CONSULTANTS Sharing their professional knowledge, skills and
expertise
ļ® SPONSORS Giving money (making a financial contribution within their
ability) and raising money (identifying and cultivating sources of support, making
introductions and connecting the organization with sources of support, promoting the
variety of opportunities and ways for individuals and institutions to be able to support
the organization, and obtaining financial support from the community
3 Wās, 3 Cās, 3 Gās Board
Wealth, Wisdom, Work
Commitment, Clout, Contacts/Connections
Give (money/resources), Get, or Get Off (the board)
BoardRoleInOrganizationalSustainabilityAndResourceDevelopmentHandout.doc
10. THE SPECIFIC ROLES OF BOARD MEMBERS IN
THE FUND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
The fund development process requires and encourages a partnership
(and coordination) between board and staff and provides each with
opportunities to be a resource, catalyst, and implementer. Board members
are an organizationās major investors, regardless of the size of the gift they
(or their institutions) make. As major investors, board members have a
primary and crucial role in fund development. This role consists of those
subtle, frequently intangible, and not immediately measurable acts which draw
current and potential donors/funders and supporters closer to the organization
and more deeply into an understanding of shared values. These include:
ļ® PROSPECT IDENTIFICATION
ļ® QUALIFICATION
ļ® DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGIES
ļ® CULTIVATION
ļ® EVALUATION
ļ® SOLICITATION
ļ® FOLLOW-THROUGH/FOLLOW-UP
ļ® STEWARDSHIP
ļ® RENEWAL
11. ENGAGING IN
PROSPECT IDENTIFICATION
ļ® Complete a biographical information/profile form and assessing fund development quotient
checklist BoardOfDirectorsBiographicalInformationProfileFormGENERAL.doc ChecklistForAssessingBoardMembersFundDevelopmentQuotient.doc
ļ® Provide referrals of potential supporters/donors (simple list of names; āsince the last meetingā
prospect identification sheet; major donor referral form/tool) ProspectIdentificationSinceTheLastMeetingSheet
FundDevelopmentTool.doc MajorDonorReferralFormGENERAL.doc
ļ® Make a list of friends and close personal contacts who are interested in the cause, organization
or similar organizations and send them a brochure and newsletter with a personal note, āI thought
you might find this of interestā¦ā
ļ® Attend community, donor recognition, legacy society and special events to learn about
prospective supporters/donors, their interests, families and future plans; after the event, report
on the contacts made and the information garnered/exchanged
ļ® Talk to personal, professional & business contacts/acquaintances (e.g. attorney, accountant,
banker, financial planner, insurance agent, etc.) and arrange for them to feature/distribute
information, brochures, newsletters, posters/displays, etc., in the lobby/reception area of their
offices/facilities
ļ® Assist in the continuing information and data collection process by clipping/forwarding pertinent
newspaper, magazine, professional journal, e-newsletter, blog articles, etc.; provide āground
levelā information
ļ® Acquire mailing lists for the organization from community, civic, fraternal and professional
groups/organizations belong to; facilitate a mailing list āexchangeā
ļ® Convene and host a gathering of current enthusiastic long term donors to involve them in
prospect identification, review and development
Make it a practice to prospect identify at every board meeting!
Keep all prospect review sessions confidential
12. ENGAGING IN
QUALIFICATION
ļ® Assist with formulation of prospect profiles and the verification of
information and data
ļ® Assist in the assessment of the connections and āmatchā between
prospects and the organization
ļ® Help prioritize prospects based on capacity and readiness;
participate in a āsilent prospectingā exercise (silent prospecting
process sheet/tool) SilentProspectingProspectIdentificationAndQualificationFundDevelopmentTool.doc
13. ENGAGING IN
DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGIES
ļ® Make a meaningful gift to the best of individual ability (the 100% standard makes
a powerful statement to the community and prospective donors!)
ļ® Assist with the identification of the best and most effective ways to approach, cultivate
and solicit prospects
ļ® Identify where can āopen doorsā Many times aboard member can open doors to
prospects for whom the nonprofitās staff cannot gain access
ļ® Insist on spending adequate time as part of board and committee meeting agendas to
discuss, plan, strategize and evaluate, in order to pursue continuous improvement in
the organizationās fund development and fundraising capacity and ensure success!
Make it a priority topic-- at the top of the agenda,
instead of the bottom!
ļ® Champion an annual board retreat/advance that includes significant time for fund
development and fundraising planning
ļ® Participate in a āSight Raisingā brainstorming session, a form of strategic marketing
focused on how to best influence the gift levels of other board members, key donors,
volunteers and stakeholders, and on securing leadership gifts
ļ® If an experienced board member, work one-on-one with/mentor new board members
to help develop their fund development quotient
ļ® Participate actively in all board training and development sessions; attend a
professional association (e.g. AFP, OANO, etc.) program for board members
and share the experience with the rest of the board
14. ENGAGING IN
CULTIVATION
ļ® Personally approach acquaintances/contacts, introduce them to the organizationās
CEO and/or development staff and set up a visit(s), tour(s), program presentation,
luncheon with the CEO/board chair, etc.
ļ® Open a dialogue (the cornerstone of cultivation) with prospective and current donors;
respond confidently to all questions from prospects, as well as seek on behalf of the
prospects, the answers to more complex inquiries
ļ® Wear an āask me aboutā¦ā button (to spur conversation and dialogue)
ļ® Host a āpoint of entryā event, āgiving circleā, ābreakfast/lunch/dinner/coffee clubā, or
ābook clubā type forum
ļ® Personally invite prospects to an event/function
ļ® Pick up a potential donor and transport them to organization events, tours, program
presentations, etc. (drive time is an opportunity to talk and begin to establish a
personal relationship)
ļ® Captain a table at a special event
ļ® Leverage personal and professional contacts; acquaint legislators, city council
members, public officials and key community leaders with the organizationās
case for support
The purpose of cultivation is to build relationships and uncover shared values!
15. ENGAGING IN
EVALUATION
ļ® Listen to feedback from prospects and donors and share information
garnered/exchanged with board and staff
ļ® For prospects have connections with: help determine/gage if
those prospects have been provided all the necessary and right
information and in the form best for them; if adequate cultivation
is being/has been done; if the timing of contacts, communication,
cultivation activities and other actions have been appropriate, right,
timely and effective; and if more needs to be done before the
solicitation can be made
ļ® Provide input on who should be included in the solicitation meeting
16. ENGAGING IN
SOLICITATION
ļ® Accompany staff on visits to prospects; take an active (vs. passive) part in the āaskā;
take the lead-- invite prospective donors, arrange and serve as host of the
visit
ļ® Personally deliver information (or tokens of thanks)
ļ® Write personal notes to prospective donors and donor renewals on solicitation
materials, correspondence, etc.
ļ® Follow up with prospects who are unable to attend events
ļ® Arrange for or make a presentation to community, civic or fraternal groups/clubs
personally belong to
ļ® Obtain a gift from the institutions, corporations, organizations personally involved with
ļ® Apply for matching gift support through own employers/institution/ corporate giving
program
ļ® Set up a challenge campaign (e.g. will give, or get, $5 for every $25 a donor(s) gives
or will match every $10 gift up to 10 gifts); conduct a challenge during a fundraising
event (e.g. match every gift given during a 15 minute period of time); challenge
campaigns can be conducted on an individual basis or collectively as a board, set
specific dollar and/or participation goals, and have a specific time table or be open
ended
ļ® Host a small event/party/function for major prospects in home, office, restaurant or
other location
17. ENGAGING IN
FOLLOW-THROUGH/FOLLOW-UP
ļ® Provide an āaction updateā to the board and staff as appropriate and meet
with staff to determine and plan the next steps
Follow-Through= continuous, sustained and seamless action at every step
and stage of the fund development process- even solicitation
Follow-Up= a renewal of action/activity
The implementation of each step will determine what specific
follow-through/follow-up is needed
18. ENGAGING IN
STEWARDSHIP
ļ® Write personal notes or thank you letters to donors
ļ® Make thank you calls (pure thank you calls with no suggestions of an āaskā);
participate in a āthank-a-thonā
ļ® Send an e-mail or make a personal call to event patrons (within a week of
the event) to thank them for their attendance
ļ® Send holiday, birthday, anniversary, milestone or other special occasion
cards to prospective and current donors
ļ® Make calls and/or write notes/e-mails to lapsed donors (to simply inquire
about how they feel about the work the organization is doing and obtain
feedback and input, with no suggestions of an āaskā); share information
garnered with board and staff
ļ® Participate in recognition events
ļ® Host a meeting(s) of ācorporate councilā, āfoundation councilā or other
donor/funder/philanthropic demographic ācouncilsā (dialogue, input and
feedback purposes)
19. ENGAGING IN
RENEWAL
ļ® Arrange a ātestimonialā focus group of current donors and invite other board members,
community leaders, etc. (can also invite selected prospects as appropriate) to discuss
what motivated them to give to the organization; share own personal passion and
commitment to the cause
From High Impact Philanthropy by Kay Sprinkel Grace
Renewal of donors starts the fund development process/cycle
(from the point of re-quantifying donors based on their recent gifts) all over again
BoardMemberIndividualFundraisingPlan.doc BoardRoleInFundraisingKimKleinArticle.mht
21. RESOURCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTINUED
ļ® Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University http://philanthropy.iupui.edu/
A leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy, improving
its practice, and enhancing participation in philanthropy; provides information, research, books
and publications on philanthropic trends and practices, and offers training and workshops on
fundraising and fund development through its Fundraising School (most information is available
for free; āFundraising Schoolā offerings are tuition/fee-based)
ļ® Association of Fundraising Professionals www.afpnet.org/
An international professional association that represents more than 30,000 members in 207
chapters throughout the world, dedicated to advancing philanthropy through advocacy, research,
education and certification programs; fosters development and growth of fundraising
professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession; an excellent
resource for a wide variety of fundraising information, books, publications and materials,
educational programs, trainings, conferences and workshops/seminars, professional certification
programs, and networking; offers an extensive resource center that provides customized
research assistance on fundraising issues, techniques, methodology and best practices (requires
fee-based membership; some information and services are available for free)
ļ® The Chronicle of Philanthropy http://philanthropy.com/
An excellent source of news on the foundation and nonprofit world; website, printed and on-line
journal with news for nonprofit organizations on grant seeking, foundations, fund raising,
managing nonprofit groups, technology, charitiable organization tax considerations, nonprofit
jobs, and more; searchable database of grants; features include a searchable āguide to grantsā
database, a ānew grantsā section which lists grants of $20,000 and more made by foundations,
companies, and other private sources, and a ādeadlinesā section which lists newly announced
deadlines for grants and other awards nonprofit groups are eligible to apply for (available by
subscription; some features and articles available for free)
ļ® FundRaising Success www.fundraisingsuccessmag.com
A monthly published periodical containing practical information on fundraising methods and
techniques, strategies, issues and trends, innovations, and more; regular columns include āTo
The Pointā, āEasier Said Than Doneā, and āSpeaking Of Fundraisingā (free for qualified recipients)
22. 5 X 5 GREAT IDEAS!
Engage board members by evidencing:
ļ® Gratitude- show you appreciate them
ļ® Recognition- how you fit recognition to the task, mission and motivation
ļ® Enthusiasm- for them, and for your organization
ļ® Acknowledgement- show them their time and work are valued
ļ® Time-Sensitivity- show that you make the use of their time worthwhile
Retain board members with:
ļ® Inspiration- keep them close to the product!
ļ® Dedication- yours will lead to theirs
ļ® Energy- applied to tasks and relationships
ļ® Appropriate tasks- match their tasks to their motivation
ļ® Special thanks- thank board members sincerely and often
~Kay Sprinkel Grace
23. CONTACT INFORMATION
Gail M. Sudore, CFRE
Consultant, Author and Speaker
c/o 61 Liberty Street
Dansville, NY 14437
E-mail: SudoreG@gmail.com
Tel: 607-483-5383
Skype: gail.sudore
Specializing In Building Visionary, Excellent And Extraordinary Organizations