For over 25 years we have met with Boards across the country. At Board meetings, one of the first questions we ask is “by a show of hands, how many of you like to fundraise”? The answer is universally the same – very few like to ask anyone for money. So why do we spend so much time training boards on how to conduct the ask or putting the onus on them to meet the fundraising objectives of the organization?
The reality is that the organization needs to own fundraising and the board supports those efforts by identifying, cultivating and stewarding donors. And yes, in some instances they can and will fundraise but those board members that do that are the minority and not the majority.
It all comes down to leadership. Who is casting the vision? Who will take the organization to the next level? This person should be out in front doing the asking. CEOs wants to be meet CEOs.
In the last year I’ve met with several Executives who lead major nonprofits. They all have told me that they don’t like to fundraise but spend half their time doing it.
If you want success, don’t look to your Board to bring in the money. Our colleagues spend hours on training boards and promoting getting your boards fired up. I’d rather see an engaged leader within the organization ready to do the hard work of asking for gifts to support the mission of the organization. Use your board strategically and you will see even greater success than you imagined.
