How to Prepare for a Successful Donor Ask

Categories: Board Member Roles · Fundraising · Good Board Practices · Nonprofit Funding · Prospective Board MembersTags: · Leave a comment

In this post, I share a story from a fundraising professional about the importance of preparation to making a successful ask. He describes how he tries to identify the best person to make each ask and then thoroughly prepares for each meeting so the asker – whether it is a board member, the ED, or someone else – is confident in their role. This post is the latest in my series about fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Other posts include: Successful Fundraising Requires a Great Story Fundraising Strategies for Large Institutions Organizing for Fundraising Success Having Board Members Thank Donors Role… Read more

Effective Fundraising: Staff Does Heavy Lifting

Categories: Board Member Roles · Fundraising · Good Board Practices · Nonprofit FundingTags: · · 2 Comments

This is my third in a series of posts about the role of the board in fundraising. In this post, a board member describes their role as Fund Development Committee chair. They also broadly address how board members can be involved in fund development and the necessity of having staff do the heavy lifting. In my last post, a board member explains the importance and impact of connecting an organization’s values to their fundraising plan. In the previous post, a board member outlines ways donors can contribute to a successful capital campaign. Board Members Play Different Roles in Different Size… Read more

Keep Funding and Over-Communicate During Transitions

Categories: Board Member Roles · Founder Transitions · Good Board Practices · Hiring ED or CEO · Nonprofit FundingTags: · · · · · Leave a comment

I recently received a call from the Executive Director of an organization that I have supported since it was founded. I have been a consistent major donor and love the organization’s mission. The ED called to tell me he is leaving the organization. I asked him a bunch of questions – about why he was leaving and what he was going to do next. After I felt assured that he was not being pushed out and that there was not an issue with the organization, I wished him good luck and asked him to keep in touch. He then said,… Read more