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HELPING YOUR BOARD TELL THE BEST STORY

Posted by Michelle Gorham

I’d be willing to bet that every nonprofit I’ve worked with has spent some time wishing their board members “helped more” with fundraising.

When they say that, they usually mean they want more people to make direct asks for gifts. I say not all board members should ask for money, but every board member can tell a moving story about the meaningful impact of their organization.

Development staff, CEOs, and marketing teams can empower board members to use storytelling as an effective and comfortable way to participate in the crucial work of raising money. To tell a great story, board (and staff) members must be authentic, passionate, and focused on the mission.

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Topics: Board Development, Fundraising, Case For Support, Financial Development, Capital, Board Management, Case Statement, Capital Fundraising, Execution, Communication, Asking For Help, Development, Potential, Resource Development, finance, financial management, Leadership & Boards, board governance

FIVE STEPS TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Posted by Brian Keel

Working with boards is a topic that DBD Group has written about at length. Less popular, but only slightly less important, is creating an effective Finance Committee for your nonprofit. This group can be the most dynamic, exciting and important group in your organization.

From monitoring financial performance to approving budgets and financial policies, vetting loan options to overseeing the audit process, there is plenty to dig into. The best committees don’t just happen though. They are intentionally built, diverse in more ways than you might think, and given a clear chart of work.

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Topics: Board Development, Fundraising, Campaign Leadership, Financial Development, Capital, Board Management, Board Leadership, Capital Fundraising, Execution, Communication, Development, Attitude, Potential, Resource Development, finance, financial management, Leadership & Boards, board governance

THE "3 Ds" OF HIGH-IMPACT BOARD MEMBERS

Posted by Richard Clegg

Nonprofit volunteers that serve on boards are the backbone of the organization. They offer invaluable guidance, support, and resources. While most new board member orientations cover fundamental responsibilities, a recent interaction with a CEO candidate in one of my executive searches highlighted a powerful framework for maximizing board impact.

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Topics: Board Development, Fundraising, Board Management, Inspiration, Board Leadership, Donor Prospect, Execution, Communication, Cultivation, Appreciation, Development, Donor, Attitude, Potential, Resource Development, Donor Identification, Leadership & Boards, board governance

TACKLING FUNDRAISING EXPECTATIONS WITH YOUR BOARD

Posted by Alison Hansen

Let’s face it: asking board members to help with fundraising can feel as awkward as teaching your parents how to use TikTok. But it doesn’t have to be! With the right mix of clarity, support, and a dash of good humor, you can turn even the most hesitant board member into a fundraising champion.

A board’s role in fundraising is critical because it sets the tone, drives the strategy, and shows everyone else how it’s done. Board members bring credibility, connections, and leadership that no staff member or volunteer can fully replicate.

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Topics: Capital Campaign, Board Development, Donation, Fundraising, Culture Of Philanthrophy, Board Management, Inspiration, Board Leadership, Donor Prospect, Capital Fundraising, Fund Development, Communication, Cultivation, Appreciation, Development, Donor, Attitude, Potential, Resource Development, Donor Identification, Leadership & Boards

STOP BLAMING YOUR BOARD

Posted by Jason Fry

As soon as I sat down at the table for the executive staff team meeting, I could tell there was tension in the air.

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Topics: Volunteer Leadership, Board Development, Fundraising, Big L Leaders, Culture, Volunteers, Inspiration, Board Leadership, Big L Leadership, Leadership Cabinet, Leadership Recruitment, Leadership & Boards

HOW TO FUNDRAISE WITHOUT ASKING

Posted by Johnathan Teal

In a blog post from last year, I encouraged fundraisers to break the “rule” that all board members be required to fundraise (you can find that post here). The basic premise being that we should strategically recruit certain board members to actively ask donors for contributions and lean into the fact that other volunteers are on our boards for other skill sets. One of the many follow up questions I received was naturally, “So how do I keep board members engaged in philanthropy if they don’t ask others for money?”

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Topics: Fundraising, Culture Of Philanthrophy, Financial Development, Board Leadership, Fund Development, Development, Leadership & Boards

BOARD MEETINGS DON'T HAVE TO BE BORED MEETINGS

Posted by Richard Clegg

Have you ever wondered why are some board members not engaged or even showing up to your meetings? Board meetings are a necessity for nonprofit organizations, but too often they can be boring, dry, and uninspiring.

They don’t have to be.

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Topics: Board Development, Board Management, Board Leadership, Nonprofit, Leadership & Boards

Creating a Culture of Inquiry

Posted by Richard Clegg

Do your board members regularly ask inquisitive and challenging questions? Does your board have a culture that promotes dialogue and debate?

An often-overlooked strategy of effective boards is to create and/or nurture a true culture of inquiry. Great boards engage members in a way that truly enlists their collective skill sets, thoughts, and differences of opinion. Dialogue with debate is a great thing to have in board meetings. Open discussions that include diverse perspectives position the board to make the best choices.

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Topics: Culture, Board Management, Collaboration, Leadership & Boards, board governance

How to Delight and Surprise Your Nonprofit Board

Posted by Kellie Wardman

 

Plans are important, but it's the action that makes the plan a reality. This month, the DBD team will be sharing ways for you to jump-start your work in 2023.

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Topics: Board Management, Leadership & Boards, board governance

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