5 Tips for Achieving 100% Board Participation in Your Organization

Like funders, the board engagement level is the first thing I research when launching a fundraising growth project with my clients. Thank you to CharityEngine for the opportunity to partner again on this vital and strategic topic in their most recent article.

How to Kickstart Your Board

I partner with nonprofits that require extraordinary fundraising outcomes, often jumping in and serving as an interim CEO. In this role, one of the first things I do is look closely at the board to ensure it’s positioning the team and the organization for success. If your nonprofit needs a little boardroom coaching, reach out to me on LinkedIn or email me.

See below for five proven strategies for kickstarting your board into philanthropic action. Leveraging my extensive experience, I offer this list of five things to ensure deeper engagement, leading to 100% board giving and increased board engagement overall. 

1. Set Expectations Before Someone Joins the Board: Clearly define engagement expectations for prospective board members before they join. Provide a one-sheet description outlining meeting and committee attendance expectations. This helps new board members understand their role and commitment level from the outset. If making a personal gift and buying or organizing a gala table is expected, let them know before they join the board. Reinforce membership expectations by having each board member sign a form in the first week of the fiscal year acknowledging their annual commitments and defining their pledge for that year.  
   

2. Be Clear About Their Role in Fundraising: If you have a professional fundraising staff, be clear at the outset of board membership that the board's role is to make introductions, thank donors, accompany staff on donor visits, and allow the paid professional to do “the ask.” Not only does this assuage fears about fundraising, but clarity around the higher strategy of the board is reinforced. 
   

3. Plan Ahead and Publish the Board Meeting Schedule: Publish the board meeting schedule for the year in advance. Preview themed meeting agenda discussions around mission and vision, budget, strategic planning, and funding/resources. Having a tradition around meeting topics is a practice seen by high-caliber boards with similarly high-impact institutions. Establishing a cadence for committee meetings can also help board members prepare and engage more deeply.
   

4. Ensure CEO and Board Leadership Alignment: The CEO and board leadership should have regular catch-up sessions to ensure everyone is on the same page. If potential board leadership cannot commit to this, they may not be the right fit. Clear communication rules of engagement should be established to avoid confusion and ensure effective leadership and decision-making.
   

5. Make Board Membership a Privilege: Start each meeting with a special "insider" mission moment to remind board members of the impact of their work. Incorporate social aspects into board meetings to build camaraderie and strengthen the board team.

Treating the board respectfully fosters a positive and collaborative environment, increasing trust, engagement, and commitment. This, in turn, enhances the board's willingness to support the organization financially and advocate for its mission.