Board members juggle many responsibilities, jobs, family, other board commitments—and may not realize that alongside providing thought leadership, your nonprofit needs financial support and connections. The most common feedback I hear from organizations is, "I need more fundraising from my board."
Building a culture of philanthropy starts with your board. When they give, it’s easier to inspire others to do the same. The key to raising more dollars is tapping into their networks. Start small and build momentum.
Engaging your board in different aspects of fundraising is crucial to creating a giving culture. A simple and effective way to get started is through a “Thank You-a-Thon.” In this event, staff and board members call or email donors, thanking them for their contributions. It's a low-barrier, meaningful activity that helps board members build relationships with donors and fosters personal investment in your mission.
Here are five more tips to activate your board and raise more dollars:
Set Clear Expectations: From the start, make fundraising a key responsibility for all board members. In your first meeting, emphasize the expectation to contribute financially and introduce prospects to the development team. This sets the tone for active involvement in your organization’s financial health.
Provide Training: Equip your board with the skills and confidence they need to fundraise. Offer training sessions on strategies, key talking points, and relationship-building techniques. Remind them that fundraising isn’t just about asking for money—it’s about nurturing long-term relationships. I recommend starting board meetings with 5-10 minutes of improv exercises to build their “fundraising muscle.” These interactive sessions have been a hit in my own work and make learning fun!
Discuss Giving Regularly: After training the board on solicitation techniques, share fundraising progress, highlight dollars raised, and emphasize how the funds will be used. Helping the board understand where funds are needed underscores the importance of fundraising. This keeps giving top of mind, reinforces the board’s role, and encourages ownership of the organization’s success.
Leverage Networks: Encourage board members to tap into their personal and professional networks. Ask them to introduce potential donors or sponsors who may be interested in supporting your cause. If they’re uncomfortable asking for money, have them focus on making introductions.
Acknowledge Contributions: Make board members feel valued for their contributions, whether financial or through their time and connections. Celebrate progress and aim for 100% board participation with your campaign. Set clear, achievable targets. Many boards implement a give/get goal, where a member can either donate the full amount or raise it through their network. And of course, send a thank-you as soon as possible after receiving donations or assistance.
Bonus Tips: Add fun and interactive elements to board activities to keep engagement high and stress low. In addition to improv exercises, have them craft an elevator pitch and practice telling your organization’s story. This helps them feel more confident during real fundraising conversations.
Another idea is to host “brainstorming” sessions where everyone collaborates on creative ways to approach potential donors. By making these activities interactive and enjoyable, you build teamwork and reduce the intimidation that often accompanies fundraising. When your board enjoys the process, they’ll be more likely to contribute time and effort—and be enthusiastic about leveraging their networks to help your organization thrive.
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