Learn how to engage your board of directors in fundraising from this January 28, 2015 presentation to United Way NCA partners by Lewis Flax of Flax Associates.
4. Critical to Success
• Current and future leadership
• Ability to support key initiatives
• Guide the organization
• Determine priorities and focus
5. Overlooked and Avoided
• Awkward and uncomfortable
• Oversight role
• May not be well connected
• Skills in other areas
• Easy to focus on other initiatives
• Requires time and patience
8. Board Review/Plan
• Interaction
• Fundraising plan aligned with strategic
plan
• Perceived goals and objectives
• Barriers to success
• Role in fundraising
9. Assessment
• Likely results?
• Position appropriately
• Purpose for serving
• Evaluate each board member
• Impact of evaluation
11. Reactive Approach
• Name others that can support
• Seek dollars first
• Lack of a vetting process
• Address at the last minute
What should we expect?
13. Develop a Pool of Talent
• Donors/Funders
• Current (and previous) volunteers
• Members
• Distribution list (mail/email)
• Event attendees
• Program participants
• Engaged in advocacy efforts
• Board members (other organizations)
• Leverage connections
• Corporate executives
• Corporations (matching gifts)
14. Engagement Options
• Award programs
• Event involvement
• Programmatic initiatives
• Advocacy efforts
• Workplace giving
• Public relations campaign
• Other campaigns
15. Evaluate and Test
• Evaluate involvement
• “Test’ commitment
• Expect drop-off
16. ‘A Privilege and an Honor’
• ‘Pass’ the test?
• Candid conversations
• Key questions
– Level of interest
– Value add
– Understand capabilities and interests
17. Selecting the Right Individuals
• Review requirements
• Clarify expectations
• Seek commitment
• Extend invitation
• Accept ‘no’
18. ‘Square Peg Into a Round Hole’
• Consider other options
• Determine an appropriate fit
• Ask for suggestions
• Potential options
– Chair of a campaign
– Letters under their signature
– Involvement in a specific initiative
– Role in an awards program
– Other?
22. Why not the ED?
• Difficult position
• Asking supervisors for money
• Board rotates – different individuals
• Less authenticity
• Lost in the details
23. Ask: Board Member(s)
• Respected board member(s)
• More genuine and authentic
• Peer to peer engagement
• A sense of obligation
• Less pressure on
Executive Director
24. Engage Board Member(s)
• History and involvement
• Impact
• Emotionally compelling story
• Support amount and connection
• Importance of contributions from all
• Ask with passion/conviction – stretch
• Follow up individually
25. Solutions: Stories
• Emotionally compelling
• Specific individual/problem
• Detail the challenges encountered
• Explain success and impact
• Ask for their opinion and feedback
• Align with their motives/interests
26. Fundraising Training
• Conduct training for board members
– Determine who will lead
– Assess what should be covered
• Acknowledge limitations/concerns
• Provide needed guidance and support
27. Next Steps
• Interest in improving board
engagement/results
• Time/resources
• Strategies and tactics
• Actions in the next 30 days
• Impact on your organization
28. Questions
Lewis Flax
– Board engagement / leverage corporate
connections
– Develop strategy / plans to secure support
– Business development outreach guidance
– Offer training, coaching, and consulting
– Review of documents / information / proposals
Email: lewis@flaxassociates.com
Phone: 202 266-2655 (w) 301 922-9309 (c)
Web: www.flaxassociates.com
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