--- title: Why It’s Time to Rethink the Give/Get Board Model description: By retiring the nonprofit board Give/Get model, we move toward board satisfaction and organizational impact. image: https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hubfs/Give-get%20model.jpg --- [![TWB Fundraising](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TWB%20Fundraising%202023%20Theme/images/TWB-Logo_RGB-web.svg)![TWB Fundraising](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TWB%20Fundraising%202023%20Theme/images/TWB-Logo_RGB-web_invert.svg)](https://www.twbfundraising.com/) - [Advancing your mission for a greater impact.](https://www.twbfundraising.com/) - [Why work with us](https://www.twbfundraising.com/why-work-with-us/) - [Who We Are](https://www.twbfundraising.com/why-work-with-us/who-we-are/) - [Our Team](https://www.twbfundraising.com/why-work-with-us/our-team/) - [Our Partners](https://www.twbfundraising.com/why-work-with-us/partnerships/) - [How we increase impact](https://www.twbfundraising.com/how-we-increase-impact/) - 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[Arts and Cultural Institutions](https://www.twbfundraising.com/industry/arts/) - [Higher Education](https://www.twbfundraising.com/industry/higher-ed/) - [Faith-Based Organizations](https://www.twbfundraising.com/industry/faith/) - [Human Services](https://www.twbfundraising.com/industry/human-services/) - [Animal Welfare](https://www.twbfundraising.com/industry/animal-welfare/) - [Healthcare and Health-Related Organizations](https://www.twbfundraising.com/industry/healthcare/) - [Organizations and Associations](https://www.twbfundraising.com/industry/organizations-and-associations/) [Contact Us](https://www.twbfundraising.com/contact-us/) February 23, 2026 # Why It’s Time to Rethink the Give/Get Board Model Written by [Marilyn Foster Kirk, CFRE](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/author/marilyn-foster-kirk-cfre) ![](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hubfs/Give-get%20model.jpg) For decades, nonprofit leaders have treated **100% board giving** as the gold standard of healthy governance. It’s the metric that tells others, "Our leaders are all-in." Yet, there is a persistent gap between theory and reality. According to BoardSource’s [*Leading with Intent*](https://leadingwithintent.org/) surveys, only 50% to 75% of nonprofits actually achieve universal board participation in any given year, even when they have formal policies expressing this expectation. [![twb-campaign-counsel](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/494592/interactive-186975912529.png)](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLItYIYAQ%2F5cotapEVj3ErR0a2Fu4yWCRe%2Bhzqn9RadQuys%2Bxo0bg12D604%2BGk4rH%2FdiRObCMRtfpnxItKPfPyTVBEWekdTi%2FYvAC%2BBF1VDMZ7F%2BGW%2FYAbJfq36TO%2BVOcBPE6jZbufrND%2FMAKh7pdT1SdzfHE2bS9RCY5xWjG4vikskRiM1ptZTyM3ZS445ot60VitpEtz5wQ%2BTWGLALM5522GGIYInbIkhfaaGY3w%2Bm6bFS0huHOba2i6w0xTWfQZAlcC4Sos0hk1vRdYh0%2B4IE&webInteractiveContentId=186975912529&portalId=494592) For years, we’ve blamed this on procedural failures, including a weak board culture, unclear expectations, resistance to asking others, or no follow-up when expectations aren't met. But the truth is more fundamental: **The "Give/Get" model isn't working.** ## A Gilded Age Relic in a Modern World The "Give/Get" model emerged during the Gilded Age, a time when board service was almost exclusively reserved for the wealthy elite. The expectations were simple: contribute a large sum yourself ("Give") or leverage your high-society network to solicit it ("Get"). While boardrooms today are becoming more diverse and representative of the communities they serve, the Give/Get model remains stuck in the 19th century. Here is why it’s failing modern nonprofits: - **It’s Transactional, Not Relational:** It treats board members like ATMs rather than strategic partners. - **It Limits the Pool of Potential Members:** High financial barriers unintentionally exclude promising candidates from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds or younger generations. - **It has a "Ceiling" Effect:** When you set a $5,000 minimum, that number often becomes a maximum. Members who could give $20,000 might stop at the required threshold. - **The Math Often Doesn't Add Up:** > **The Budget Reality Check:** Imagine a nonprofit with a **$3,000,000** budget and ten board members. Each is required to "Give/Get" **$5,000**. > > - Even with 100% participation, you only raise **$50,000**—a mere 1.6% of the budget. > - In reality, if only half the board complies (a common trend), you’re left with **$25,000**. > - Is the administrative headache and potential exclusion worth such a small fraction of your revenue? ## The Alternative: Personally Meaningful Giving Forward-thinking organizations are moving toward **relationship-centered approaches** that prioritize equity and trust-based philanthropy. Instead of a "one-size-fits-all" number, they use a **Personally Meaningful Giving** model. In this model, the emphasis shifts from a rigid dollar amount to a more broadly based commitment: 1. **Individual Capacity:** Each member is asked to give an amount that is personally significant to them and reflective of their capacity. 2. **Top-Three Priority:** Members agree to make the organization one of their top three philanthropic priorities. 3. **Collective Goals:** The board works toward a *total* goal together, encouraging those with more ability to give and do more while those with different financial resources and talents to contribute as best fits their circumstances. 4. **Talent-Based Fundraising:** Members support the fundraising program in ways that suit their influence—whether that’s making introductions, hosting events, or writing thank-you notes ## The Bottom Line We all want boards that are engaged, diverse, and truly invested in our missions and that feel good about their participation. By retiring the rigid Give/Get model, we move away from "buying a seat" toward achieving board satisfaction and organizational impact. [![Leading-Fundraising-Success](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/494592/interactive-165583782980.png)](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIXfHqQGWuPqJZhSHxSltRuNrsFBwcBo3FfbM5vryW3GH5Fn5O0kMgqKmUcHtZTk%2BHPTWBAt1jhvuywtqAk%2FEru51aS3TsAP%2B17WThE1F2yRqP9LjYTjD%2B3pxIVENq2tdta3gMKXdjgt9n9%2BhfefpOinffxcJEHexUtAIQbqyKlnXd9TN46vRhzduoFd5PDh7v3YHGpm0DfTsZgdQolCdnSORAvwMCz1uuuRypvZIjE6lRqcaB4cavf%2BXVgCTuJJU9FpYbvh0mY1WsrMSJ%2BN2nHI6fgPbo%3D&webInteractiveContentId=165583782980&portalId=494592) - [#Board Members](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/topic/board-members) [![Marilyn Foster Kirk, CFRE](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hubfs/Marilyn%20Foster%20Kirk%202023%20copy.jpg)](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/author/marilyn-foster-kirk-cfre) Written by ### [Marilyn Foster Kirk, CFRE](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/author/marilyn-foster-kirk-cfre) Marilyn Foster Kirk, CFRE, is Executive Vice President at TWB Fundraising. ## Comments Questions or comments? Join the conversation! [![TWB Fundraising Logo](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TWB%20Fundraising%202023%20Theme/images/TWB-Logo_RGB-web_invert.svg)](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/) How to reach us 2 North Riverside Plaza Suite 1875 Chicago IL 60606 - [+1 312.222.0560](tel:3122220560) - [+1 312.222.0565](tel:3122220565) - [info@twbfundraising.com](mailto:info@twbfundraising.com) Follow us on Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest in nonprofit news and advice delivered straight to your inbox. [![The Giving Institute Logo](https://blog.twbfundraising.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TWB%20Fundraising%202023%20Theme/images/TheGivingInstitute_logo.svg)](http://www.givinginstitute.org/members/?id=29718537&&trackr=GivingInst) Copyright © 2026 TWB Fundraising. 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