This webinar will guide you through training your board members to become active and effective fundraisers.

During this webinar, you’ll gain actionable insights on:

• Delving deeper into fundraising fears: Understand the common fears and barriers surrounding fundraising. Learn techniques to shift the mindset of board members, alleviating fears and building enthusiasm for fundraising.
• Introducing the storytelling framework: Discover the power of compelling narratives in fundraising. Learn how to present this storytelling framework to your board, emphasizing its critical role in engaging donors.
• Identifying individual fundraising stories: Each board member has a unique voice and narrative that can be utilized for fundraising. We’ll guide you on how to help your board members find their unique fundraising stories and voices.
• Setting personal and group goals: Explore how to work with each board member and the entire Board of Directors to identify individual and collective goals around fundraising engagement. Learn how to establish these goals as benchmarks for fundraising success.

This webinar is an opportunity for you to discover and apply practical strategies to engage your board members actively in fundraising. Register today to help your board members realize their potential as influential fundraisers!

Speaker: Mallory Erickson, creator of the Power Partners Formula and host of What the Fundraising

The post How to Mobilize Your Board & Actually Turn Them Into Active Fundraisers appeared first on Network for Good.

1. Getting board to fundraise and host house parties:

Remember the 3B framework. What is the key behavior that you want the board member to do, what is the barrier, and what are the benefits? Engage board members why the fundraising activity benefits them and the organization, and explain the value of their individual participation. Remove barriers by making it easy. You can provide templates, scripts, and training to make them comfortable with this process. Encourage them to “be ambassadors” instead of simply “supporters” to appeal to a sense of identity and commitment. 

2. Addressing overextended board president:

First of all, term limits are good and healthy for organizational growth and development. But this is a governance issue that requires delicate handling. You might consider an open, respectful discussion during a board meeting about the importance of board rotation for fresh perspectives and shared leadership. External resources or consultants in nonprofit governance could provide advice or facilitate this conversation. Consider using a delayed implementation strategy so that board members aren’t immediately kicked off but have three to five years before they term off and have to wait before being re-invited to serve. 

3. Articulating the return on investment for fundraising tools:

The key is to communicate that investment in tools like a donor database is an investment in the long-term sustainability of the organization. While it might take time to see tangible results, it will improve efficiency, deepen relationships with donors, and ultimately increase fundraising success. The example from the webinar that we’re all comfortable with is our retirement funds. We set aside money today for future use that’s potentially decades away. 

4. Fundraising responsibility without a development committee:

Ideally, all board members should be engaged in fundraising efforts – in some way. The board chair, in collaboration with the executive director, could play a leading role in rallying board members around fundraising initiatives. A dedicated fundraising or development committee can be a future goal if it’s right for your organization. Remember that someone who will do the work is better than someone holding the title. More importantly, people shouldn’t be forced to solicit if they aren’t comfortable doing so. Find roles for each board member appropriate to them. 

5. Engaging a board not used to fundraising:

Training and education are key. Host a board training session specific to the 3B framework. Identify different key behaviors, address barriers, and assign benefits. It can be very helpful to share what would happen if fundraising doesn’t happen and also how easy it is for each person to have a significant impact with incremental effort. For example, tens of thousands of dollars can be raised by board members identifying just one monthly donor each month for their board term. 

6. Board members as CEOs of other nonprofits:

Frame their participation in fundraising not as competition but as synergy. Their fundraising skills and networks could benefit your organization without taking away from theirs. Ideally, there are systems in place to help these board members engage potential donors that are non-competitive. Similarly, there are opportunities to engage in the fundraising cycle without soliciting donors. 

7. Expecting every board member to participate in fundraising:

Every board member should be involved in some way in the process of fundraising. Not everyone has to be directly asking for money, but all can contribute time or talent or treasure, whether by leveraging networks, hosting events, writing thank-you notes, or making personal contributions. Some entities still require 100% board giving but don’t specify the amount so $1 meets that threshold. 

8. Validity of give and get commitments:

These commitments can still be valuable, but they need to be flexible and context-specific. For some boards, a give/get policy works well. For others, it may create barriers. The key is to create a culture of giving that works for your organization. Personally, I would be skeptical of their effectiveness in most organizations because the give/get only excludes to the downside. Meaning, if your threshold is $100,000. Anyone who can’t give that is excluded but someone who might otherwise give $1 million might just give $100.000. Many big organizations have trustees that just meet the threshold. 

9. Board members uncomfortable with asking for money:

Encourage them to see fundraising as mission-sharing. It’s about offering opportunities for others to contribute to a cause they care about. Offer training and support to make them more comfortable with fundraising conversations. I often ask board members in training sessions what buying decision was the most memorable e.g. a purchase they were super happy about. As they share those stories, they can palpably see and feel what it’s like to share a worthwhile experience with others. 

10. Board term limits:

Term limits can bring fresh ideas and prevent board stagnation. They need to be implemented thoughtfully to maintain organizational memory and continuity. Address concerns openly with your board and seek to create a balance between new energy and experienced guidance. Off ramps are also helpful to board members who don’t want to feel stuck serving in certain seasons of life.  

We hope you found this webinar helpful as you work with your board to secure fundraising support. Have another topic you’d like us to cover in an upcoming webinar? Click here to submit your feedback.

Plus, download our brief, A Case for Change: How to Pitch Fundraising Software to Your Board, which includes a board memo template and a board presentation template to help you prepare a top-notch pitch!  

Published: June 13, 2023

The post Boosting Board Buy-In: Your Questions About Board Engagement and More Answered appeared first on Network for Good.

Part of the challenge lies in the fact that results from such investments are not immediately tangible. The return on investment for fundraising tools, for instance, may take a year or more to be seen, making it difficult for board members to calculate the direct impact. Similarly, investing in fundraising capacity, such as staff development or fundraising consultants, requires an upfront financial commitment that does not pay off immediately. 

Despite these challenges, the opportunities that come with increased investment in fundraising are substantial. Greater fundraising capacity can lead to more significant donor engagement, higher donor retention rates, and ultimately, increased funds for the organization’s mission. Advanced fundraising tools can streamline operations, improve data management, and facilitate more personalized and effective donor communications. 

Studies demonstrate these benefits as well. As described in the recent webinar, Boosting Board Buy-in: How to Get Your Board to Invest in Fundraising, two specific reference points may be helpful:  

• Across all institution types, the return on investment in 2018 was 942.9 percent. In general, higher investment yields higher returns. (CASE) 

• A Giving USA study found that a dollar invested in a major gift program produces, on average, $24 in revenue. A dollar invested in a direct mail program produces $10. A dollar invested in a special event produces $3.20. (Harvard Business Review) 

Given these potential benefits, the question becomes: how can nonprofit professionals effectively convince their boards to make these investments?  

First and foremost, it is important to remember that we’re not able to convince anyone of something that they are completely opposed to. However, we are able to help move people to agreement if we follow proven frameworks for change management and persuasion. Drawing on insights from thought leaders like Phil M. Jones, John Kotter, and Jonah Berger, nonprofit professionals can learn effective strategies to secure board buy-in for critical fundraising investments. These strategies involve understanding the board, crafting a compelling value proposition, strategically using language, and confidently handling objections. The successful application of these methods can significantly transform your organization’s fundraising capacity and impact. 

Understanding Your Board: Building a Foundation for Persuasion 

Begin with understanding your board members—their motivations, their concerns, and how they think about investment in fundraising. Recognize that your board comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and unique perspectives.  

Creating a Strong Value Proposition 

Once you understand your board, it’s time to craft a compelling value proposition. The value proposition should align with both the organization’s mission and the board’s motivations. It’s about making the board see how investing in fundraising can deliver value, whether in terms of increasing efficiency, growing donor bases, or advancing the organization’s mission.  

Magic Words and Subtle Language Shifts: Phil M. Jones and Jonah Berger’s Insights 

Phil M. Jones and Jonah Berger’s insights are instrumental in structuring persuasive conversations. Jones’s “magic words” and Berger’s principles of subtle language shifts can be powerful tools.  

Handling Objections with Confidence 

Objections are an expected part of the decision-making process. Prepare for potential objections, and address them confidently and respectfully. Jonah Berger’s advice on speaking with confidence and using concrete language can be incredibly beneficial when addressing objections. Remember that validating the other person’s viewpoint can open up a more constructive conversation. 

Case Studies and Examples: The Proof of the Pudding 

Sharing case studies of successful instances of securing board buy-in can be extremely persuasive. Demonstrating proven methods and results provides tangible evidence of the potential impact of investing in fundraising. 

Engaging Your Board in Fundraising: An Ongoing Conversation 

Securing board buy-in is not a one-off task but an ongoing conversation. By understanding your board, crafting a strong value proposition, effectively using “magic words” and language shifts, and handling objections with confidence, you can involve your board in fundraising growth.  

Author: Cherian Koshy, VP of Philanthropy at Merit America and Founder of the Nonprofit Operating System

Interested in learning more? Watch our on-demand webinar, Boosting Board Buy-in: How to Get Your Board to Invest in Fundraising featuring Cherian Koshy. 

Put these tips into practice by downloading our brief, Build a Case for Change: How to Pitch Fundraising Software to Your Nonprofit Board, which includes a board memo template and a board presentation template to help you prepare a top-notch pitch!  

Published: June 6, 2023

The post Securing Support: 6 Strategies for Convincing Your Board to Invest in Fundraising appeared first on Network for Good.

Download the tools you need to pitch new fundraising software to your board and make your team’s work easier, more efficient, and more successful.

If your nonprofit isn’t using fundraising software, or if the software you currently use isn’t effectively supporting your needs, then it’s time to approach your board about a better way. The right fundraising software makes it easy to track donors over time, automate and target your communications, manage event ticketing and promotion, cultivate major donors, and more. It also helps your organization save time, money, and staff resources—benefits that speak loudly to your executive board.

As a fundraising pro, you probably know a lot about this subject, but your board members likely need a little Fundraising Software 101. That’s why we wrote this brief for you!

Arrive prepared to answer all your board’s questions. Use this brief to organize your thoughts. Then, use our customizable templates to create a ready-to-deliver board presentation and memo that make a winning case.  

The post How to Pitch Fundraising Software to Your Board appeared first on Network for Good.

The post Boosting Board Buy-In: How to Get Your Board to Invest in Fundraising appeared first on Network for Good.

Nonprofit consultant Jayme Dingler has joined us many times to show you how to take the fear out of fundraising and even make it fun and personalized for each individual on your Board of Directors. But now that you have decided to create a culture of fundraising, how do you get started?

In this session, Jayme will walk you through the basics of writing a Board Fundraising Policy, Board Roles and Responsibilities, your first Marketing and Development Plan, and more. She’ll also show you how you can approach your Board Members to help them make (and keep) their development commitments.

Speaker: Jayme Dingler, What’s Good LLC

The post Create a Culture of Fundraising within Your Board appeared first on Network for Good.

If this is you, then the good news is: You are not alone & this powerful tool will release resistance and have your board opening those doors…finally!

Most board members are awesome people committed to putting good work into your organization. Yet, fundraising can be intimidating.

That’s why we’ll teach you how to simplify your board’s role in your fundraising to make it super easy and fun for them to connect with potential supports and generate leads for you…without feeling rejected, ineffective or pushy.

Outcomes:

• Understand barriers and fears to participating in fundraising
• Define your donor pipeline and the board members’ role in supporting it
• Learn a new tool for connecting with potential donors that takes away all the barriers and fears
• Ways to systematize this approach so the leads are flowing to you with ease
• How to create excitement and energy around fundraising

Speaker: Founder & Chief Excitement Officer, Courageous Communication

The post Turn Your Board Into a Lead Generating Machine appeared first on Network for Good.

The word “fundraising” can send Board Members running from the room, but in this session, we’re going to turn them around.

You’ll learn the basics of the board’s duty as fundraisers.  We will explain why fundraising is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, and you will come away with actionable ideas for participating in your organization’s fundraising efforts.

Nonprofit Marketing and Development Consultant, Jayme Dingler is helping us start the new year off right by bringing back this can’t miss, interactive webinar for nonprofit staff and Board Members.

Speaker: Jayme Dingler, What’s Good LLC

The post New Year, New Ideas to Create a Fundraising Board That Raises More appeared first on Network for Good.

Join nonprofit marketing and development consultant Jayme Dingler as she helps you take your year-end fundraising plans from trick to treat!

Jayme will provide you with fundamental information that every board member should know about their role as fundraisers, and leave you with actionable ideas for involving your board in your year-end plans.

Speaker: Jayme Dingler, Founder of What’s Good LLC & Author of the book “The Itty Bitty Book of Nonprofit Fundraising“

The post Prepping Your Board for Year-End Fundraising… It’s not that spooky appeared first on Network for Good.

We’ll share examples of challenges that many boards have and some tools to move through them. 

Speakers: Christal Cherry & Rennee Rubin Ross

The post Growing a Board that Truly Cares about Inclusion and Equity appeared first on Network for Good.