Three Tips for Engaging your Board in Fundraising Efforts

Registration and move-in day have occurred so now it’s time to turn full attention to the fall, and for many, board meetings are just around the corner. As presidents and heads of school, how does your board support you and the advancement office?

At AdvancementEDU, we’ve heard comments like “the board does not provide enough fundraising support,” or “the board is well-connected, but doesn’t leverage their relationships for fundraising,” or even, “we give trustees fundraising assignments, but they rarely follow up.” Conversely, we’ve heard from trustees, “we are not fundraising experts”, or “the school doesn’t provide clear expectations and responsibilities.”

While each of these comments may contain some truth, there are a few foundational things you should do to help align the fundraising efforts of your institution and your board of trustees. 

Start with the Mission

Your mission should be at the forefront of all fundraising efforts. Ensure that your board understands and embraces your mission. That starts with your new trustee onboarding process. Make sure that your mission, values, and differential advantages are front and center in those conversations. Don’t stop talking about those items after onboarding—keep bringing them up in board meetings and in conversations. Be consistent and set the example for how important your mission is.

Educate the Board

What is the long term vision or strategic fundraising plan for your college or school? What are the short term priorities? Where do you need investment? In many cases, your board members are your philanthropic investors. They need to know your institutional priorities and needs. Your board members are also your cheerleaders, and you want them spreading the gospel to their networks. Arm them with talking points to serve as extensions of your fundraising team. 

Board Accountability

It’s important to set expectations for your board. Give them direct and achievable requests and then follow up. The requests don’t necessarily need to be for philanthropic investments. They may make introductions, give their time for meetings, or give other forms of support. Regardless, make sure that your board leadership is aligned and aware of expectations. Your board chair and committee chairs should be your teammates in these efforts. 

A board that is informed, inspired, and actively engaged doesn’t just approve budgets, it drives transformational giving. Reach out to our team at AdvancementEDU and let’s discuss how we can engage your board of trustees to create transformational giving at your college or school.