Lewis Flax discusses strategies for improving board engagement in fundraising. He emphasizes that board engagement is critical for an organization's current and future leadership, ability to support initiatives, and determine priorities. However, boards are often overlooked due to discomfort or a focus on oversight rather than fundraising. Flax recommends that organizations evaluate their board's current engagement, develop a proactive recruitment plan to build a pool of fundraising talent, provide engagement opportunities, and select new board members who are committed to the organization's mission. The development director should train board members and have respected board members personally ask their peers for donations to make more authentic fundraising asks.

1. Board Engagement for
Fundraising Success
Lewis Flax, Flax & Associates
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Thrive. Grow. Achieve.

2. Board Engagement
for Fundraising Success
RAFFA Learning Community
Thursday, February 27th, 2014
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
1899 L Street, NW
6th Floor (Large Conference Room)
Washington, DC 20036

3. Today‟s Discussion
• Board Engagement
• Recruitment and Cultivation
• The „Ask‟

4. Board
Engagement

5. Critical to Success
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Current and future leadership
Ability to support key initiatives
Guide the organization
Determine priorities and focus

6. Overlooked and Avoided
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Awkward and uncomfortable
Oversight role
May not be well connected
Skills in other areas
Easy to focus on other initiatives
Requires time and patience

7. Committed to the Cause?
• Engagement
• Emotion
• Ego

8. Engagement
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Evaluate current status
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Staff perspective
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Future plans

9. Board Review/Plan
• Interaction
• Fundraising plan aligned with strategic
plan
• Perceived goals and objectives
• Barriers to success
• Role in fundraising

10. Assessment?
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Likely results?
Position appropriately
Purpose for serving
Evaluate each board member
Impact of evaluation

11. Recruitment
and
Cultivation

12. Reactive Approach
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Name others that can support
Seek dollars first
Lack of a vetting process
Address at the last minute
What should we expect?

13. Other Organizations
• Steps and requirements
• Evaluate results

14. A Proactive Approach:
Develop a Pool of Talent
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Donors/Funders
Current (and previous) volunteers
Members
Distribution list (mail/email)
Event attendees
Program participants
Engaged in advocacy efforts
Board members (other organizations)
Leverage connections
Corporate executives
Corporations (matching gifts)

15. Engagement Options
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Award programs
Event involvement
Programmatic initiatives
Advocacy efforts
Public relations campaign
Other campaigns

16. Evaluate and Test
• Evaluate involvement
• “Test‟ commitment
• Expect drop-off

17. „A Privilege and an Honor‟
• „Pass‟ the test?
• Candid conversations
• Key questions
– Level of interest
– Value add
– Understand capabilities and interests

18. Selecting the Right Individuals
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Review requirements
Clarify expectations
Seek commitment
Extend invitation
Accept „no‟

19. „Square
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Peg Into a Round Hole‟
Consider other options
Figure out an appropriate fit
Ask for suggestions
Potential options
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Chair of a campaign
Letters under their signature
Involvement in a specific initiative
Role in an awards program
Other?

20. Making
the
„Ask‟

21. Fundraising Effectiveness
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Ability to provide support
Strong network/connections
Willingness to conduct outreach
Capabilities and skills

22. “Ask”: Executive Director

23. Why not the ED?
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Difficult position
Asking supervisors for money
Board rotates – different individuals
Less authenticity
Lost in the details

24. Ask: Board Member(s)
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Respected board member(s)
More genuine and authentic
Peer to peer engagement
A sense of obligation
Less pressure on
Executive Director

25. Engage Board Member(s)
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History and involvement
Impact
Emotionally compelling story
Support amount and connection
Importance of contributions from all
Ask with passion/conviction – stretch
Follow up individually

26. Solutions: Stories
• Emotionally compelling
• Specific individual/problem
• Detail the challenges encountered
• Explain success and impact
• Ask for their opinion and feedback
• Align with their motives/interests

27. Fundraising Training
• Conduct training for board members
– Determine who will lead
– Assess what should be covered
• Acknowledge limitations/concerns
• Provide needed guidance and support

28. Next Steps
• Interest in improving board
engagement/results
• Time/resources
• Strategies and tactics
• Actions in the next 30 days
• Impact on your organization

29. Thank you!
Lewis Flax is President of Flax Associates, a
firm that provides consulting, coaching, and
training to assist charitable organizations
increase financial support by developing and
expanding corporate relationships. Often the
ability to engage and leverage key volunteers
and board members plays a large role in
securing financial support.
Contact Information:
lewis@flaxassociates.com
(202) 266-2655 (w)
(301) 922-9309 (c)
www.flaxassociates.com
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