The document outlines strategies for engaging board members in fundraising for nonprofits, emphasizing their critical roles in accessing new donors and signaling organizational value. It provides steps for establishing a development committee, setting fundraising goals, and creating actionable plans involving specific activities for board members. Challenges in fundraising are acknowledged, with recommendations for support and recognition to foster a culture of giving among board members.

1. Presented by
Michele R. Berard, MBA, CFRE
of
www.AscentAdvisors.net
Engaging Your Board in Fundraising
Why it Matters and How to do it
20 1 3 AnnualCo nfe re nce
and Trade Sho w

2. www.micheleberard.com

3. What We’re Going to Learn Today…
• What the Research Shows
• How to lay the Groundwork
• How to put a Plan into Action
Are there any burning desires?
Let’s write them down

4. The Research
Research Brief
What No O ne Else Can Do :
Truste e ’s VitalRo le in
He althcare Philanthro py

5. Point #1 - Access & Signaling
Regarding fundraising -
board members serve two
primary functions:
• Helping the organization reach new
prospective donors (access)
• Indicating the organization’s value to the
community by their own association
with the group (signaling)

6. Point #2 - Board Member Giving is Important
Organizations reported that total board
giving was between 1% and 10% of
total giving
• Board member giving is a public commitment to the
organization’s work
• Board members might pay increased attention to the
nonprofit’s mission and financial health when their
own money is engaged
• Many other donors and institutional funders will not
give to organizations that don’t have 100 percent
board participation as current donors.
Therefore require
100% board giving

7. Point #3 – Size Matters….kind of
• Most have boards between 11 and 20 members
• Most successful are boards with 21 to 30 members
http://www.nonprofitresearchcollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NRC-Board-Engagement-Report-Sept-2012.pdf

8. Point #4 – The Development Committee Works
Organizations that have a Development Committee
of the Board reported higher responses of
meeting organizational fundraising goals
• Peer to peer solicitations (other board members)
• Access to the community/prospective donors
• Credible volunteer “stamp of approval”
• Connections and influence farther reaching than staff

9. Point #5 – Specific Activities Yield Results

10. Point #5 continued – Specific Activities Yield Results

11. Sowing the Seeds for your Money Tree
While research validates and supports Board
Member involvement in fundraising, there are
challenges that must first be over come.

12. Step #1 - Board Member Job Description
Question:
Is your organization
one that needs its
Board Members to
conduct only one of the
three Ts?
• Time
• Talent
• Treasure (this includes Give and Get)
A sample has been provided to get you started

13. Step #2 - Development Committee Charter
A statement of purpose and general direction will
help the committee to remain focused and
relevant
A sample worksheet has
been provided to get you
started

14. Step #2 continued - SAMPLE
Development Committee Charter Worksheet
WHAT - To ensure XYZ Organization benefits from a strong, stable and growing
revenue stream obtained from philanthropy
HOW – by:
1. developing and fostering a culture of giving of our
internal constituencies
Examples:
2. cultivating and stewarding resources (people, products,
time, finances)
Examples:
3. Soliciting financial and in-kind support Examples:

15. Step #3 - Allocate Staff Support
Staff raising money without volunteers’
connections is finite;
Incorporate volunteer connections - the potential
is limitless
• Staff possess the “body of knowledge”
• Staff = logistics manager
• Staff empower volunteers
• Staff support = volunteer success

16. Step #4 - Establish Goals (as a committee)
Set goals beyond money
• Number of new donors/gifts
• Number of renewed donors
• Average gift size
And…be transparent
• Communicate goals; board approval
• Report progress
• Be accountable

17. Step #5 - Build a Plan…to meet those goals
Set goals beyond money
• Number of new donors/gifts
• Number of renewed donors
• Average gift size
And…be transparent
• Communicate goals; board approval
• Report progress
• Be accountable

18. Action Time!
You have collected the research and laid the
groundwork. Now, it is time to put your plan
into action.

19. A List of Tactics can alleviate discomfort in
Fundraising
• Acts as a “menu”
• Have Board Member select 3 from the list
Note: Include the 11 from the research section
Step #1 - Provide a List

20. • Make “thank-you calls” to donors
• Review the organization’s website one time per week
• Post organizational news/press releases to your Facebook, LinkedIn or
Twitter accounts
• Attend community events (not XYZ Non-Profit events) with the organization’s
CEO/CDO as a “Trustee of the XYZ Non-Profit”
• Post your board affiliation on your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts
• Chair the Fall Appeal (or lapsed donor appeal or any appeal) by signing the
appeal letter
• Organize a speaker from XYZ Non-Profit to come speak at your business
• Allow XYZ Non-Profit to publish and distribute a press release about your
And the list goes on…
Sample List (a larger list is in your handout packet)

21. Setting individual goals gives board
members long-term vision and short-
term motivation.
• It focuses them on what they can contribute to
the greater whole
• It provides a sense of self-worth (to the group)
• When achieved, creates a huge feeling of
satisfaction
Step #2 - Individual Goals

22. Nonprofit Board Members are
generally intelligent people with
high levels of influence and
expertise (but not in fundraising)
• Give them permission to not have to possess
the “body of knowledge” (that is why the
organization has hired a development
professional)
• Share relevant resources (e.g. Board Source)
Step #3 - Provide Direction and Support

23. FACT: Change is a part of our lives
Organizations will continually face:
• Resigning/new staff
• Resigning/new board members
• Changes in funding or regulation
Read: Our Iceberg is Melting
Step #4 - Accept Evolution as the Constant

24. While organizations cannot rest on their laurels
they must celebrate successes and recognize
those that made those successes possible.
• Board Meetings
• Donor Newsletters
• Recognition events (e.g. National Philanthropy Day www.afpri.org)
• Photo shoots/check presentations
• Handwriting cards
• Calls
Step #5 - Celebrate the Successes

26. Questions?
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Michele R. Berard, MBA, CFRE
Phone: (401) 263-4902
www.AscentAdvisors.net
mberard@AscentAdvisors.net
This presentation and the handouts can be found on my Blog:
micheleberard.com
Twitter: @micheleberard