Giving Compass' Take:

• Amy Eisenstein, writing for GuideStar Blog, lists the best practices for engaging and motivating board members to fundraise for their organizations.

• What are the challenges for board members to participate in fundraising? How can donors help? 

• Check out the Boards and Leadership Magazine on Giving Compass. 

Engaging your board members in fundraising is pivotal to your success in raising major gifts. Here are four interesting questions I’ve been asked by fundraisers—their answers will help you to effectively engage your board members in the fundraising process.

  1.  Make sure every ask is personal. While it’s not a bad thing that your board chair encourages board giving at board meetings, you definitely need a more personalized approach. I suggest sitting down with your board chair and explaining the merits of meeting with board members individually, on an annual basis.
  2. Not all board members have to ask. There’s a huge difference between asking and all other aspects of fundraising. If your board members can’t distinguish between fundraising (including identifying donors, cultivating them and saying “thank you”) and asking, you have some educating to do.
  3. Every board member should give what they can. Just because someone isn’t a “power player” doesn’t mean they don’t have some money to contribute. In fact, some of the poorest people in the world are the most generous.
  4. Tell your story—not the organization’s story. Instead of worrying that board members are out telling the “same” story, focus on making sure they can tell “a” story. Simply begin with “why they serve” and “why they care” about your organization. Once they’ve gotten someone’s attention, they can refer them to the organization’s website for the “official” story.

5 ACTIONS BOARD MEMBERS CAN TAKE TO RAISE MONEY

  1. Write three thank-you cards
  2. Make three phone calls
  3. Forward an email
  4. Share on social media
  5. Invite someone for a tour or to volunteer

Read the full article about how to engage and motivate board members to raise money by Amy Eisenstein at GuideStar Blog.