Fundraising Roles for Your Nonprofit’s Board of Directors

Bruce Laishley
3 min readMar 14, 2023

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Many nonprofit fundraisers assume that they have the necessary expertise to raise money when in reality, they don’t. In fact, many of them get frustrated and annoyed by the lack of communication and knowledge on their boards. This all-too-common problem can lead to frustration and turnover in the team. The truth is that boards can be beneficial in helping you raise money, but they should also be understood as part of the overall fundraising strategy.

FUNDRAISING ROLES FOR YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

One of the most critical roles of a board member is to provide leadership to the organization’s fundraising efforts. This is because the board is responsible for determining the direction of the organization’s programs and services. This includes setting the organization’s fundraising goals and ensuring that the strategy is on track. The board should also regularly consult with the staff and the members of the board to make sure that the deadlines are met.

As a fundraising visionary, the board member is also responsible for ensuring that the organization’s fundraising program has the necessary resources to meet its revenue goals. The other important role of the board is as a donor.

It’s important to remember that the goal of a nonprofit organization is to have 100% board giving. This means that every member of the board should be donating something to the organization every year. This shows the board’s commitment to the cause and shows the other donors that the organization is dedicated to its goals. When the board’s total donations are less than 100%, it makes the other donors, including foundations and institutional givers, wonder if something is not right with the organization.

The third and most important role of a board member is to ensure that the members are actively participating in the fundraising efforts of the organization. Even though they may not be able to raise enough money to meet the organization’s goals, most board members will still agree to serve as ambassadors for the organization. This means they should help the nonprofit reach out to new donors and other individuals who may not be familiar with the organization.

As a fundraiser, your job is to introduce new people to the organization and help them become more involved in its operations. This is done through the development of a solid and lasting relationship with the donors. Board members can help expand the organization’s donor network and build new lifelong supporters. In addition to being able to provide leadership and guidance, the board member is also responsible for ensuring that the organization’s fundraising efforts are conducted in a proper manner.

Board members enjoy being able to make a real impact on the organization’s fundraising efforts, as they can help the team raise money without the pressure of asking for introductions or making thank you calls. They can also help the staff members by going along with fundraising meetings and attending events. It is necessary to educate your board members about the various roles that they play and how they lead to successful fundraising efforts for your organization.

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Originally published on brucelaishley.org

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Bruce Laishley

For over 50 years, Bruce Laishley has been a Punta Gorda, FL staple and pillar of his community. To learn more about Bruce, visit brucelaishley.net.