One of the key responsibilities of a nonprofit board is to ensure that the organization has enough resources to fulfill its mission. Thus, board members are often encouraged, even required, to participate in the fundraising efforts of an organization.
Many nonprofits will expect board members to make at least a minimal personal contribution in order to demonstrate their support for the organization and to serve as a model for other donors. Board members can also play a key role in soliciting funds, in-kind donations, and pro bono services from individuals, institutions, and corporations. Fundraising encompasses not only the financial aspects of one-on-one solicitations, special events fundraising, and other methods, but also bringing resources and skills into the organization through their own network to further the mission of the organization.
Seven Lessons Learned from Nonprofit Leaders, our free video, provides tips on working in a variety of areas with your board, including fundraising. The video includes a link to a downloadable Board Member Fundraising Worksheet.
To learn more about strengthening your board through pro bono, visit the Taproot Foundation's website.
Beyond Cash Guide for Nonprofit Boards is a guide on how nonprofit boards can tap pro bono and in-kind resources, co-written by Taproot Foundation and BoardSource.
Powered by Pro Bono: The Nonprofits Step-by-Step Guide to Scoping, Securing, Managing, and Scaling Pro Bono Resources is Taproot Foundation's how-to guide for bringing capacity building resources into your nonprofit.
See also our related Knowledge Base articles:
- Where can I find information on a board's legal duties?
- How can I find board members for my nonprofit?
Should Board Members Be Required to Give?
Blue Avocado
Are board giving requirements a best practice or a bad idea? Editor Jan Masaoka reports on trends and explores the debate.
Board Fundraising Policy: Key Elements and Practical Tips
BoardSource
Outlines the key elements of board fundraising policies, gives practical tips for creating these policies, and provides a sample policy.
Why Nonprofits Should Require Board Members to Donate and Fundraise
LiveAbout
This article argues that nonprofits reap many benefits from requiring a financial commitment from board members.
BoardSource (formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards) provides an excellent selection of board resources for both members and non-members. Hover over the word "Topics" to find the resource library.
Produced by fundraising professionals Andrea Kihlstedt and Brian Saber, Asking Matters addresses the challenge of helping board members feel comfortable and prepared in asking for gifts, by providing tools based on the concept of personal Asking Styles.