1.
Fundraising for Nonprofits
Working with your Board of Directors
May 21, 2015
Boards and Fundraising
Rachael Barrett

2.
BoardMembersasFundraisersandDonors
Agenda
I. Roles and responsibilities of board
members
II. Helping your board tell your
nonprofit’s story
III. The Ask
IV. Ideas

3.
Boardmemberrolesandresponsibilities
Three legal responsibilities of a board member
Duty of care: Board members are expected to actively participate in
organizational planning and decision-making and to make sound and informed
judgments. (Strategic Leadership)
Duty of loyalty: When acting on behalf of the organization, board members
must put the interests of the nonprofit before any personal or professional
concerns and avoid potential conflicts of interest. (Colleague)
Duty of obedience: Board members must ensure that the organization
complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and
that it remains committed to its established mission. (Governance)
http://grantspace.org/tools/knowledge-base/Nonprofit-Management/Boards/legal-duties-of-the-nonprofit-board

4.
Boardmemberrolesandresponsibilities
Fiduciary Responsibility
In addition to its legal responsibilities, the board acts in a
fiduciary role by maintaining oversight of the nonprofit's finances
Board members must
• evaluate financial policies
• approve annual budgets
• review periodic financial reports to ensure that the
organization has the necessary resources to carry out its
mission
• remains accountable to its donors and the general public

5.
Boardmemberrolesandresponsibilities
Money is what makes a nonprofit and it’s work viable.
It makes no sense to say that some board members
should help bring it in and others should be excused.
We have got to stop separating money, and the
activities associated with it, from other aspects of a
nonprofit organization. It makes no sense.
Nell Edgington is President of Social Velocity www.socialvelocity.net

6.
Boardmemberrolesandresponsibilities
Time, Talent, Treasure
Cynical translation
Give, Get, Get Off

7.
Marketing/Communications/Brand
Why
How
What
A strong brand
tells a story
because:
People don't
buy what you
do; they buy
why you do it.

8.
Marketing/Communications/Brand
Remember:
People
don't buy
what you
do; they
buy why
you do it.
What's your purpose?
What's your cause?
What's your belief?
Why does our organization
exist?
Why do you get out of bed in
the morning?
And why should anyone care?

9.
The Ask
Here are the two phrases that are helping people the most:
"Would you consider a gift of $X?“ Asking is challenging enough. A question like "would you
consider a gift of ____?" accomplishes two things.
First, it takes the pressure off the asker. People visibly relax when they hear that this is a
good fundraising phrase. This feels like something they can naturally say.
Second, this phrase encourages askers to use a specific dollar amount. "Will you support
our cause?" is a vapid cop-out for truly asking for money. One person's idea of "support"
may be $250 when you'd rated her as a $25,000 prospect. Do the donor prospect the
courtesy of plainly telling them what number you're thinking about.
http://fundraisingcoach.com/2012/05/08/2-phrases-to-use-when-asking-for-money/

10.
The Ask
Here are the two phrases that are helping people the most:
"Honestly, I have NO idea how much to ask you for, but is a gift of $______
something you'd be able to consider?"
Honesty is quite disarming. And despite our best research, peer reviews, and
calculated guessing, there are times we really don't know how much to ask
someone for. So let them know!
This is especially powerful for volunteers who've been coached by excellent
counsel to ask at a higher level then they feel comfortable asking at.
http://fundraisingcoach.com/2012/05/08/2-phrases-to-use-when-asking-for-money/

11.
StandardNonprofitRevenueSources
RevenueTypes:FocusonIndividuals
DonorLifecyle
Identification
Qualify
CultivationAsk
Thank you
Golden Rule 1:
Thank 7 times
Golden Rule 2:
Formal Thank
you generated in
24-48 hours
Represents only
5% of your effort
Who do you know? Who do
you want to know?
Interest in your
work, capacity to
give
Represents the
bulk of your time
and effort.

12.
OtherWaystoSupport:JeffersonianDinner
Jeffrey Walker, Generosity Network at Harvard
A hosted dinner party with 6-10 guests, including a board member (ideally the host), executive director, a
moderator, and persons of interest
The evening is framed around a question or topic that has been shared with the guests prior to the dinner
Who you invite matters. Looking for smart, engaged individuals who would make interesting
dinner/conversation mates. They do not have to be high net worth individuals
At the close of the dinner, everyone around the table makes a commitment, it need not be money. This is
not an ask event. A commitment could be, “I commit to hosting a Jeffersonian Dinner next month.”

13.
OtherWaystoSupport
1. Understand what motivated to join as a board member
2. You give your time, you give your talent….but your treasure?
3. Key Point: Every board member has to make personal financial
contribution that is significant to him and demonstrates that ABC
nonprofit is his/her charity of choice
4. So, give some and then….
• Follow on social media and “like”, “retweet”, “share”
• Attend or volunteer at an event!
• If your employer offers to match gifts, fill out the forms
• Tell your friends and invite them to events

14.
Coach your board member to ask: As a
board member, I am always thinking….
What will it take to become a well resourced organization and what is
my role in helping this organization excel
Intention: I love what we do here and I want to share with others my
joy. I understand the organizational needs, the needs of the region,
staff needs. I am not afraid to ask for money.
Systems: I am confident that the systems are in place to ensure that
all donations are used wisely and that donors feel appreciated.
People: We have the right people “on the bus” to do the job

15.
Questions, Comments?

16.
Thank you!
Contact:
Rachael Barrett
Phone: 347-325-0426
Email:
Rbarrett@daveneefoundation.org