How To Maximize Your Nonprofit Board To Get The Maximum Out Of Your Fund Raising Efforts!

In fund raising your board of directors should be one of your most important development tools. In 2009 the environment for nonprofit organizations is going to be tough but by maximizing your strength in your board you can be creative and aggressive in advancing your cause.

In this article we are going to give you 17 tactical strategies to get your board more involved and allowing them to maximize their efforts. They can still have fun while creating more avenues for fund raising.

1)Make sure everyone on the board understands they are a main tool to fund raising. Explain to them how the whole organization looks up to them and follows there lead.

2)Also give them the ability to be the first to donate and encourage them to increase that donation every year.

3)If they don't have the ability to give them help them to be a integral part of the process by finding donors to supplement there gift of a set amount.

4)Ask them to open their email address and give the organization at least 25 names that can be added to the organizations periodic mailing list.

5)Get each member of the board to introduce 3 of their closest friends to the Executive Director so he can begin a cultivation process to secure major donors.

6)If someone on your board has a strong connection to a major donor let the development professional on staff know and volunteer to introduce them at a lunch or event.

7)Teach them how to be on the look out for major donors and to make sure they cultivate a relationship with those prospects. This can be a huge help in the fund raising area.

8)Provide workshops to the board on fund raising with your on staff development professional.

9)Teach them to advocate for your organization and how they can politically help the organization.

10)Update and organize a board orientation for all members at the beginning of every fiscal year.

11)Find out the boards skill levels and special skills that are helpfully by having them fill out an application for the board. This will also help in introducing what skill levels are needed for cultivating future board members.

12)Have members of the board call donors who donate over a set amount to thank them and discuss why they give to your organization and have board member tell them why they donate also. They can find common ground and network posibilities.

13)Look for new potential board members who share a passion for your cause.

14)Don't forget to teach each board member to create an elevator speech.

15)Make sure some time is spend on the annual retreat discussing fund raising.

16)Make sure the board supports an adequate budget for development staff continuing education.

16)Hand deliver in person thank you letters to large donors.

This is a start for the board of directors. I think you will find that they will take the bull by the horns and help raise the necessary funds to contribute to the overall budget.

Good luck and I hope all of you have a great fund raising year in 2009 !