Many nonprofits have difficulty attracting business leaders to serve on their boards. When they are successful, they often lose those leaders within the first year. Ever wonder why?

If you want these individuals to serve, you have to know what will make them comfortable and interested as well as...

Back in the dark ages, I used to talk about something I called “the ripping envelope syndrome” when I gave workshops and seminars about the role of the board. This “syndrome” was characterized by the chair of a nonprofit board opening the board meeting with the words,...

The key to getting your board members to embrace fundraising lies in three simple steps—the recruitment process, ensuring that board members are committed to your organization, and removing the fear of fundraising that is inherent in most people.

In this article, let’s talk about the...

Let’s take a step back and look at all the duties of a board before we talk specifically about fundraising.

 Determine the Organization’s Mission and Purpose

A statement of mission and purpose should articulate the organization’s goals, means, and primary constituents...

One way to build capacity for your organization is by strengthening the fundraising ability of your board. Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “We can’t get our board to help with fundraising; they aren’t the ‘movers and shakers’ in town.” If this is a...

If your organization is overly involved in special events, board members can easily get burned out. Your board members will not be happy if they are expected to sell tickets to their friends and family members for too many special events. Many of them will not be interested in golf, running,...

When all else fails, you may need to look seriously at your board and restructure it with people who are willing and able to be involved in fundraising. Following are some ways to help you restructure your board:

• Make certain to include a provision in your board position description that...

Board governance has long been associated with the three Ws, the two Ts, the three Cs, and the way to familiar, three Gs. I would like to offer something more positive. But just to review in case you’re not familiar with all the alphabet soup:

The Three Ws

• Work
• Wealth
• Wisdom

The Three Ts