Stronger Boards Raise More Money

Michael Bacon, CFRE

Stages of Nonprofit GrowthStage Characteristics of the BoardNascent Operational focus, friends of Founder, limited formal

processAdolescent Wider circle, growing in prominence, still lacking in

Board training

Intermediate Strategic planning, formal process for recruitment, job descriptions, active committee work, need for training

Mature Regular strategic planning, board criteria established, ongoing training, active Committee on Directors, evaluation of Executive Director, Board evaluations

Telling Your Board Story

Activity

Share the profile of your Board with someone not from your organization. What does your Board look like now?

Characteristics, ages, professions, level of involvement, passion for the work…

The Ideal Board…

Does it represent spheres of influence?

Does it have: Expertise Legal, Accounting, Marketing, Fundraising,

Construction, Planning, HR, Investment Knowledge, Program Development, etc.

Influence Affluence

Board Matrix… What Does Our Board Look Like?

Recruiting

Not “I have a friend who might do it…”

Board Matrix – art & science

Who does the recruiting?

Active Nominating Committee

Where do you find the right people?

Telling the Truth- “you don’t have to…

“Dating” potential Board Members…

Expectations

Clear and concise

One page job description

Financial participation outlined

Meeting participation outlined

What else?

A Board Focuses On…

Governance & Policies

Mission Related Programs

Annual Budget & Monitoring

Sources of Revenue (Diversification)

Ongoing work at committee level

The Board’s Role

Reality is most board members…

How Do We Connect The Board To The Mission?

Share a story with someone next to you about how your nonprofit reminds Board members of your mission, your programs and those you serve…

Focus On Your Mission

Constant connections to mission, beginning with orientation

Exposure to teachers, grants and sponsored programs on a regular basis

Regular opportunities to reflect & discuss At meetings, retreats, strategic planning How did we advance the mission today?

Does this sound familiar?

“Isn’t that the staff’s job?”

“I’m giving my time… that’s enough.”

“I don’t know anyone.”

“I’ll do anything but ask for money.”

What tools does the Board need?

Passion for our cause

A strong case for giving

Powerful stories about how we make a difference

Staff support for accountability + the annual calendar

Training about how to make an ask

How Can Our Board Help With Fundraising?

Know our mission by heart

Be able to tell one story with passion

Basic knowledge of our programs and clients

Make your own financial gift first

How Can Our Board Help With Fundraising?

Help identify new prospects

Set up a meeting for staff with a prospect

Hosting cultivation or stewardship events

Invite prospects to join you at an event

Be involved in thanking donors (calls, notes, visits)

The Sequence of Willingness

How Do You Feel When You Give?

Share your story with someone next to you.

Compare stories…

Relationship-Based Fundraising

Cultivate

Steward

AskRetain

Believe It or Not…Noteworthy Findings:

90% of individual donors single out one particular charity for special or unusual support 94% of study donors say that

charities they support never or hardly ever call them up without asking for another gift.

98% say that charities never or hardly ever pay them a visit without asking for money

Building Board Confidence

Start with Stewardship!

Board members should be thanking donors Phone calls Handwritten notes Thank you visits