Engaging Your Board in Fundraising Without the Struggle

This event is offered by our partner in another state. Please double-check times and time zones prior to registering.

Engaging boards in fundraising is one of the most frustrating challenges for nonprofit leaders. We want them to help, but not too much, and in just the right way.

In order to ease the tension with our boards when it comes to fundraising, we must:

• Use a gift table to determine what we need from board members. The number of donor introductions is determined by the number of prospects we need. A gift table helps us figure that out.
• Determine their role in fundraising by looking at the board’s governance structure. Working boards provide a different level of support than governance boards. We align our expectations with the governance structure.
• Map board engagement opportunities to the specific fundraising strategies you’re prioritizing—whether that’s major gifts, events, grants, annual giving, or corporate sponsorship.

You’ll leave with a concrete next step to deepen board engagement in fundraising—one that fits your board’s structure, your current priorities, and your organization’s fundraising plan.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Clarify the role of their board in fundraising based on whether they operate as a working board or governance board.
2. Identify the most effective ways their board can contribute to different fundraising strategies (e.g., major gifts, events, corporate sponsors, grants).
3. Use a gift table to determine specific fundraising needs, including the number of prospects and asks needed to reach a goal.
4. Facilitate a board storytelling activity that equips your board members to engage others in a conversation about their “why” for supporting your organization.
5. Leave with one actionable next step to engage their board more meaningfully in the fundraising process.