The most frequent complaint from members and staff of nonprofit boards and organizations is most of our board members say they'll do anything EXCEPT fundraising. And that's what we need most! This is a serious problem which is perpetuated by boards that simply refuse to deal with it, or who postpone making changes.

      Very few grow to love fundraising solicitation, but many people become very good at it. They thrive on the tremendous satisfaction of having helped an important cause. Don't promise your board members fun in fundraising: promise them pride of accomplishment in knowing your goals are closer to being met Anyone can be a good fundraiser. The spirit is the most important criteria, and the training can easily be provided.

      Here are some helpful guidelines in developing some or all of your board members into effective fundraisers:

q       Resolve immediately to include fundraising in a careful job description for prospective board members. No one should be asked to serve on a board without a full understanding of the responsibilities involved.

q       Schedule a budget discussion followed by a fundraising planning session, so the need is perfectly clear.

q       Explore, in a board meeting, the many forms of fundraising available to your organization, and the many roles that must be filled by volunteers.

q       Be open to options suggested by others.

q       Ask a board member who has had success in some areas of fundraising to ask someone else to come to talk to your board about fundraising: either a professional, or someone from another board who has had good luck. It's always great to get someone who was a reluctant beginner.

q       Give the board chairman a lot of information and support in learning about fundraising.

q       Make fundraising a regular agenda item at each meeting.

q       Talk to board members individually and learn what kind of objections they have. Try to work with them, outside of board meetings, to develop manageable, gratifying assignments.

q       Give very small assignments at first, and call soon after to see how the board member is progressing.

q       Give a lot of positive reinforcement and hand-holding.

q       Offer to go along on a call or help in other tangible ways.

q       Always be certain that your board members have all the information they need to complete assignments.

q       Always be generous in your acknowledgment of efforts and your expressions of thanks for work, regardless of the results!

q       Look upon volunteer solicitation as a long-term goal of your organization.  Make your own internal planning calendar of ways to bring the board closer to 100% participation in fundraising. This is not a change that you can make in a few weeks or even months, but the difference over a period of years will be demonstrated dramatically in your ability to meet your increasing budget. demands.

Source: Keep the Money Coming by Christin Graham.  Copyright 1992.  Pineapple Press.  Used by Permission for Brian Kluth's book, "Out of the Woods - A Guide to Funding Christian Camps and Conference Centers".