A passionate, generous and actively giving Board of Directors sets the tone for all of your organization’s fundraising activities and donor behavior. But if your Board members are not giving — and enthusiastically — then it’s hard to expect anyone else to, either.

We’ve got some ideas here to help you get your Board on board with regular, generous, heartfelt giving to your organization. These are tips you can implement right away and see the impact of a more energized Board on your organization in a short amount of time. 

• Organize a giving campaign, just for the Board. Make sure your Board president is leading the way with this effort. It may require a variety of outreach methods, using several communication channels, to connect with and motivate the entire Board.

• It’s probably a good idea to set a minimum requirement for each Board member to both give to the organization and get for the organization through fundraising. Make sure the level is not too low, but be prepared to make a private exception if you have a great Board member who is not able to give and get the minimum. Setting these levels is meant to hold Board members accountable while encouraging full participation.

• Make sure that your Board members aren’t bored with your nonprofit. Engage your Board members with the experience of serving with your organization. Just as you would with any other target donor group, make sure you’re telling your story to your Board, emphasizing how their money impacts lives.

• Educate Board members on how fundraising works. Many Board members think fundraising isn’t fun; it’s akin to selling and being pushy. They don’t understand the long-term relational aspects of donor development. Take time to teach them about the work you do and why your donors are so very important to the health and longevity of your organization.

• Ask Board members to consider naming your organization as beneficiaries in their wills or estates.

• Challenge Board members to reach out to their own circle of contacts to give invitations to the next fundraiser or ask for a gift in your next capital campaign. If that feels too “salesy,” encourage them to start small, such as to begin sharing your organization’s social media posts.

• Involve Board members in the donor outreach and engagement process. Assign each Board member a few donors (probably no more than three) with whom to establish and nurture relationships. Board members should make regular contact with these individuals, letting them know how their gifts are being used and making a difference.

• Invite those Board members who have already given to contribute an article to your newsletter or blog about your organization and why it’s important to give. This subtle form of positive peer pressure may be just the boost the other members need to see themselves as donors, too.

 How would you describe your Board’s participation? What works to motivate your members?