BOARD GIVING
AILMENT
"We have a great board, made up of knowledgeable experts, but most don’t donate money. On the one hand, I think we should be content with their commitment to policy issues, programs, and organizational growth. On the other hand, I’ve heard it’s a best practice for all board members give. I’m also afraid that if I start asking for money, I’ll lose good people."
SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE
Board members who:
- Don’t make financial contributions.
- Don’t participate in discussions about development.
- Ignore appeals for support.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
- You have assumed board members can’t or won’t give.
- The expectation for financial support was never communicated to board members when they joined the board.
- Board members haven’t been cultivated like individual donors.
- Board members haven’t received a clear and compelling request for their support.
THE CURE
Your organization will be stronger if 100% of the board supports your mission with financial contributions. After all, if the people closest to the organization don’t give, why should other donors have confidence in your work?
- Engage your board chair (who, hopefully, provides financial support) to begin the conversation about board support at the next board meeting.
- Arrange one-on-one meetings with board members to inspire them and solicit their support.
- Don’t require a certain giving level but ask for a gift that is “significant” to them.
- Prepare a list of expectations – including expectations for giving – to use when welcoming and onboarding future board members.
