1. Getting Board Members to Raise Money Joyfully
With Susan Howlett
Author of
Boards on Fire!

2. Fundamental Problem
We’re inviting our board members to participate in fundraising strategies that are unclear and don’t make sense.
What’s YOUR strategy?
What are you asking YOUR board members to do?

3. Today’s session: Strengthen your own fundraising strategy
Illustrate where your board members can add the most value with the least effort

4. Concept #1
Focus board attention on people who already know your organization.

6. Primary Prospects
Board
Staff
Volunteers
Served
Donors

7. Secondary Prospects Less deeply served Professional allies
Former middle
(esp. lapsed donors)
Vendors

8. First Concept Review Stop asking board members to find new donors
Focus their attention on people who already know and value your work

9. Concept #2
Focus board members’ energy on donor retention, not acquisition

10. Board members can make deepest impact
by calling donors to thank them for a recent gift
by sharing with donors what difference their gift made

11. Concept #2
Focus board efforts on retention of current donors, and retrieval of lapsed donors,
Not on acquisition of new donors

12. Concept #3
Focus board attention on your largest donors

13. Donor Pyramid
____________________________________

14. Concept #3
Focus board attention on the top of your donor pyramid – with your major donors

15. Concept #4
Focus board energies on relationship-building, not asking

16. Take focus off asking Donors make gifts without being asked
Board members find themselves asking in the context of organic conversations

17. Have board members
Invite donors to insider experiences

18. Have board members Invite donors to insider experiences
Share the latest research on your field

19. Have board members Invite donors to insider experiences
Share the latest research on your field
Offer info from policy-makers, lobbyists

20. Have board members Invite donors to insider experiences
Share the latest research on your field
Offer info from policy-makers, lobbyists
Ask donors for advice

21. Have board members Invite donors to insider experiences
Share the latest research
Offer insights from policy-makers
Ask donors for advice
Invite donors to meet VIPs

22. Have board members Invite donors to insider experiences
Share the latest research
Offer insights from policy-makers
Ask donors for advice
Invite donors to meet VIPs
Send donors proof of their impact

23. Concept #4
Focus board attention on relationship building, not asking

24. Summary
If we ask board members to connect current donors more deeply to our work, they will feel safer and be more successful

25. Questions?

26. Thanks! Susan Howlett www.susanhowlett.com
Boards on Fire! Inspiring Leaders to Raise Money Joyfully