Annual Fund ‘Giving and Getting’ Guidelines for Your Board of Trustees

* A “give and get” minimum requirement combination of personal giving and personal raising of funds to be a trustee also isn’t a good idea. The minimum total amount “quota” you set for them could be far less than some trustees might account for in total by way of their own gifts and from what they personally could raise from other sources. As a result, they most likely will relax their efforts when meeting their lower “goal.” They will, in effect, have done the job as you asked — and chances are they will not do more.

* A “give and get something” or go off the board, is a good idea. Even those trustees with limited resources should be able to contribute some modest amounts of money. As well, they should be in position to provide their endorsements and participation to assist in solicitations of prospects assigned to other volunteers.

General guidelines

* External giving to your annual fund will be positively influenced if you can demonstrate to non board prospects that your trustees support the campaign with their 100 percent participation. The philanthropic spirit is infectious. Giving definitely is influenced by the example of others — and your board is capable of setting the very best example for others to follow.

* You should not readily accept from any trustee — one capable of making a sizable cash contribution but who does not choose to do so — the idea that the giving of his or her time is the same as the giving of money.

* Try to have each trustee personally solicited by the board president, rather than by his or her peers. Trustees were brought on the board by the president, and that is where the accountability lies. If this is not practical due to a large number of board prospects, other officers of your organization may assist the president with the solicitations.