Question Category: Board Involvement in Fundraising
Question
We have a wonderfully giving board, but how do we motivate them to reach out to other donors?
Answer
In BEE's experience, the key to this begins with having a process for involving board members in fundraising. This usually begins by forming a development committee comprised of board members who have overall responsibility for the development program. You are fortunate that the board is giving because that is usually step one in the process of fundraising. Now you need to involve the board in the other steps of development, stewardship and asking others to give. One way to do this is through the work of the development committee. The committee should meet regularly. A part of each agenda should be about prospects needing personal attention: either cultivation for a gift, stewardship of prior gifts or asking for a gift. Review your prospects with this in mind and try to first get members of the development committee involved in these development processes and eventually they should become willing solicitors. It goes without saying that you should constantly be making your case for why funds are needed and that the best way to accomplish this is through personal solicitations.
Back to Sample Questions