Fundraising to support missions and communities is a daily reality for all nonprofit organizations and should be a shared responsibility. However, the thought of asking for money can often feel daunting or uncomfortable, especially for board members who might feel overburdened or lack experience in this area. Yet, there’s good news: Board members can significantly contribute to their nonprofit’s fundraising success without directly asking for a single dollar. Here’s how:
Video: Grants Plus and Business Volunteers Unlimited discuss the role of nonprofit boards in fundraising.
1. Leverage Personal and Professional Networks
Board members play a crucial role in fundraising by simply opening doors. Introducing the organization to foundations, corporations, or influential individuals within their network—be it friends, family, business associates, or community leaders—can pave the way for potential grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and donations. The key is to advocate passionately for the cause and share impactful stories of the nonprofit’s work.
Did you know? A recent study conducted by Grants Plus, analyzing over 650 grant proposals prepared by their grant professionals, revealed that proposals where the applicant actively cultivated a relationship with the funder boasted a 1.6x higher win rate compared to those submissions where no such cultivation was attempted.
2. Be a Storyteller
Effective storytelling is a powerful tool in the fundraising toolkit. Board members can share stories that highlight the nonprofit’s successes, the challenges it faces, and the difference it makes in the lives of others. By doing so on social media, at networking events, and even in casual conversations, they can inspire and motivate others to support the cause.
3. Advocate for the Cause
Advocacy for their organization and its cause is one of the core functions of a board member—and one that positively impacts fundraising as well. By becoming vocal advocates for the nonprofit’s cause, board members can influence public opinion and policy, potentially leading to public funding, grants, and increased community support. These advocacy efforts elevate the organization’s profile and, indirectly, its fundraising success.
4. Create and Share Content
In today’s digital world, content is king. Board members can contribute by writing blogs, recording videos, or sharing photographs that showcase the nonprofit’s work and impact, and by sharing the nonprofit’s content on their personal social media. This content can help educate the public about the cause, engage a broader audience, and attract donors who connect with the organization’s mission.
5. Host Awareness Events
Hosting or sponsoring an event to raise awareness about the nonprofit’s mission can also be a form of fundraising. While the primary goal isn’t to solicit donations, these events create a platform for potential donors to learn more about the cause, meet the people involved, and see firsthand the impact of their support.
6. Share Skills and Expertise
Nonprofit board members often come from diverse professional backgrounds, bringing a wealth of skills and expertise that can benefit the organization. Offering pro bono services, whether it be in marketing, legal advice, strategic planning, or financial management, can save the nonprofit considerable resources. These indirect contributions then allow monetary donations to be used elsewhere to support the organization’s mission.
Directly asking for money is only part of the work of fundraising. By leveraging their networks, skills, and passion for the cause, nonprofit board members can make a significant impact on their organization’s fundraising efforts without asking for a single dollar. In today’s attention economy, fundraising success requires being creative, proactive, and above all, committed to advancing the nonprofit’s mission through indirect but incredibly powerful means of amplifying awareness and reach.