Let’s face it – if you serve on a nonprofit board, you need to help with fundraising.

“Uh…not me”, you may say. Maybe you worked an arrangement with the executive director reflecting that you have a different role. You may have said, “I’ll join the board, and I will oversee the finances as your treasurer, but I’m not good at fundraising.” Or “I’ll do anything you need, but not fundraising.”

Let’s talk for a moment about the opportunity cost of ANY board member not participating in fundraising.

As a board member, you are part of a small group placed in charge of an organization. You have a front-and-center view of this precious organization. You know the mission, the impact, the people served, the staff, the operations, the finances, the challenges they face, and the important role this group plays in the community. You volunteer many hours for this group as a board member. You give your time and you are also a financial donor.

Your personal investment in this group is high. But so is their investment in you.

You, better than anyone not on the board, are in a great position to participate in fundraising. And if you don’t, it’s a loss to the group you serve.

How can you get started? Here are a few suggestions:

Read up on the group’s “story” by looking through its website and promotional materials thoroughly. Make sure you understand the importance of what they do and how to talk about it.
Talk about what your group does and how much you appreciate it (briefly at first) with your family, your best friend over lunch, or anyone with whom you feel comfortable.
Have coffee with a staff member whose responsibilities include fundraising. Ask them,

How do you tell the story of [our group]?
How do you get someone’s interest in hearing more?
And what do you do if they express interest to learn more?

Next month – more steps for getting started on your way to becoming a fundraising ASSET to the group on whose board you serve!