Nonprofit Board Recruitment and Engagement Strategies
You know that engaging your board as active fundraising partners is essential to your nonprofit organization’s success. So where do you start? First, it’s important to understand where you’re starting from—and you’re not starting with a blank slate.
Your board already has a culture of philanthropy—it just may not be the one you want!
Your current board has collective assumptions about giving and fundraising, and those assumptions are based on their experience as volunteer leaders with your organization to date.
Start by doing a realistic assessment of the current state of your board.
- Ask about their shared assumptions and beliefs about fundraising, including negative ones, and what they feel they need to take a more active role in fundraising. (Try a survey to find out and have conversations with a few key board members.)
- How are they engaged—or not engaged—in fundraising?
- Do they have the capacity and inclination to give?
- Do they have strong professional and personal networks?
Then you will be ready to build on what’s working well.
Building your board’s giving and fundraising “muscle” will be a process that takes time, and that’s OK. Change does not happen overnight—there is no shortcut to an engaged, energized board. Here’s a guide to starting the journey:
Include fundraising and giving expectations when recruiting new board members.
- Use giving capacity/strong networks as one important criterion for identifying potential new members.
- Share specific expectations in a board member job description.
- Review expectations during your board orientation.
- Be consistent and clear and expect accountability.
Make fundraising an integral part of every board meeting.
- Board members should understand, endorse, and own your organization’s fundraising goals.
- Establish clear board giving goals: 100% participation and each board member should make what, for them, is a “Top 3” gift.
- Share organizational fundraising progress report and update on path to 100% board participation at every meeting.
Help board members build confidence and realize their incredible power as fundraisers.
- Explain the Cycle of Philanthropy (Identify, Engage, Evaluate, Solicit, Recognize, Steward) so they understand that fundraising is 95% relationship-building and only 5% asking.
- Focus on their “why” story (relational) vs. an “elevator pitch” (transactional).
- Start them with “easy wins.”
- Convey two unique strengths they have as board members: they can build trust with donors and they are positioned to endorse your organization in a way paid staff can’t.
Share ways to help without “making the ask.”
- Tell their “why” story in donor meetings—this is a compelling peer-to-peer motivator.
- Be an “ambassador” for your organization at social events and in the community.
- Write thank-you notes or make thank-you calls to donors.
- Introduce their contacts to the CEO or development director.
- Contact donors and prospects who are already in your database.
- Host a small event at their home or office.
- Introduce staff to their financial advisor (who could recommend your organization to other philanthropic clients).
Be a strong and dependable staff partner.
- Work with each board member to find a fundraising role that aligns with their strengths and comfort level.
- Assign specific, achievable tasks and clear deadlines.
- Spell out how you will provide support at every step.
- Provide the information they need in a timely way and make sure they are thoroughly prepared.
- Offer encouragement and appreciation.
Will all your current board members come along with you on this journey?
Probably not, and it’s OK if a few decide to transition off the board. Be respectful and understanding and they will leave feeling good and remain as supporters of your organization.
Whatever your starting point, we hope these tips help you dive in and recruit great board members, inspire your whole board to step up as donors and active fundraisers, and partner with them to achieve success!