Your Board of Directors: An Extension of Your Fundraising Team
Boards of Directors carry many responsibilities in supporting a nonprofit organization. Over the next few weeks, I’d love to dig into some of those roles more deeply.
No matter the size of your development team—whether you are a one-person shop or a department of ten or more—it’s essential to think about your Board of Directors as an extension of your fundraising team.
Let’s pause and reflect on what board members already bring to the table:
They want your organization to succeed.
They come with a sphere of influence.
They bring genuine interest and passion for your mission.
When nonprofits approach board engagement with intention, these strengths become powerful assets.
Building a Board with Purpose
If your board is going to function as an extension of your fundraising efforts, a few key considerations matter:
Be strategic in recruitment.
Board members should align with the evolving needs of the organization. That alignment may include geography, professional skill sets, industry experience, or community connections. Being intentional about who you invite onto your board—and how they fill gaps collectively—is a critical step that many nonprofits overlook. (Don’t worry—we’ll dig deeper into this in a future post.)
Recognize different forms of philanthropic support.
Some board members are ready and able to support fundraising efforts directly. Others may contribute indirectly through their networks and influence. Often, board members don’t immediately recognize their own sphere of influence and need support in understanding how they can leverage it. Helping board members identify and grow into these roles is a responsibility nonprofits should embrace if they want boards set up for success.
Meet people where they are.
Let’s be honest—not everyone feels comfortable asking for money. That discomfort doesn’t mean they aren’t strong board members. Personally soliciting gifts is just one of many ways to support philanthropy. With thoughtful conversation and creativity, nonprofits can identify meaningful fundraising roles that align with board members’ comfort levels and availability.
It’s also important to remember that board members balance many responsibilities outside of their volunteer service—full-time jobs, families, and other community commitments. Sustainable engagement requires respecting those realities.
A strong board is built when nonprofits meet board members where they are, while clearly articulating what the organization needs to thrive.
A Resource for New Hampshire Nonprofits
If you’re based in New Hampshire, there’s an incredible opportunity worth sharing.
The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits offers the Hoffman-Haas Fellowship, a program designed to prepare the next generation of nonprofit board leaders. This fellowship equips professionals with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to serve as effective board members and strengthen communities across the state.
You can learn more about the program here: https://www.nhnonprofits.org/events/hoffman-haas-fellowship
Let’s Build Philanthropic Boards—Together
Building a philanthropic board is one of the most important investments a nonprofit can make. It’s also something I’m deeply passionate about.
If you’d like to explore how we might partner—whether around board development, fundraising strategy, or long-term donor relationships—I’d love to connect. I offer a free Discovery Call to learn more about your organization and see how Rooted Giving can support your work.