The Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid Around Board Fundraising Leadership

Stop me if you’ve heard this...

I’m working with this board of directors. And they’re perfect. Except when it comes to fundraising they just (fill in the blank with your latest snag)…..

As an Executive Director, Development Director or fundraising staff member, it’s all too easy to fantasize about that board we wished we had to work with and the fundraising they could do. But consider this: You may already have that perfect board and they’re not getting the guidance they need to to be successful. Board members join nonprofit organizations because they care and want to serve, not because they are experts in fundraising. They look to us for leadership. They need that critical guidance enabling them to maximize the impact of their contributions of time, energy and funds. With that in mind, here are my Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid Around Board Fundraising Leadership:

1. Having a Give or Get:  There’s actually nothing wrong with a give or get. In fact, it’s a great FIRST STEP in encouraging your your board members participation in fundraising. But too often board members see their effort and/or funds as their only fundraising responsibility. If your board members are capable of raising the give or get, they’re capable of so much more. If they raised XYZ, they can probably raise double that by leveraging the same network. And if your board member gave XYZ, they’re uniquely positioned as a leader to ask others to follow in their footsteps. 
2. Assuming you know your board members fundraising reach:  It’s common to assume we know a board member’s network based on their profession, affiliations, neighborhood and other surface details. Go beneath the surface. At minimum, have an assessment, survey or better yet, a talk that allows you to learn about your board members. You’ll be pleasantly amazed by your board member’s diversity of interests and connections.
3. Suggesting One-Size-Fits-All activities and campaigns: How often do we hear - or say - something like this? ”This year everyone is going to have a (fill in with the fundraiser of your choice)” This suggestion often comes on the heels of another board member having done such a fundraiser successfully. In line with #2 above, every one of your board members is unique with a unique opportunity to engage others. Why stipulate the way he or she needs to fundraise? Your role is to support their efforts, not dictate their style and approach.
4. Recruiting a Fundraising Committee: Similar to a Give or Get, this one can be a Yes or No. Having a Board Fundraising Committee is great IF AND ONLY IF, these folks are leaders. And that means they’re paving the way for ALL the other members of your board to follow with productive fundraising activity. Conversely, having a committee is an absolute NO if you hear a collective sigh of relief once the group is selected. That sound is the rest of your leadership having foisted fundraising responsibility off on these kind and generous folks. Not the way it’s supposed to happen!
5. Allowing a board member to pass (because they contribute in other ways): I can hear you now. It’s just this one board member and they do so much in other ways! We’ve all encountered that prospective board member. We can’t wait to have them at the table. They’re excited to volunteer, add their knowledge, and connect us with Mr. or Mrs. Heavy Hitter. But just one thing - they’re not positioned to fundraise or contribute right now. Whether it’s finances, fear or hatred of fundraising, making this one exception is a huge NO. Idealistic? Probably. Will you to lose a few potentially wonderful board members. No doubt. But making this exception is lowering the bar for all of your existing board members and your prospective ones. Can you really afford to do that?

​These are my biggest call-outs and no doubt there are others you’ve encountered.  If I can help you better manage these - or others (yes, there may be one or two others), please let me know.