Show Strong Leadership in Guiding Your Board and Other Fundraising Volunteers

It’s an unwritten rule. It’s like Murphy’s Law.

You get enough well-meaning board members or other volunteers in a room. Then, when you start talking about their responsibilities and fundraising, the talk shifts to an event or that foundation/big donor that the organization has no connection with.

These volunteers—even board members—are all well-meaning, of course. But when this happens it means one of two things:

1. You have the wrong people at the table—you have not recruited leaders with financial capacity and the willingness to be ambassadors, connecting you with other donors.
2. You have not provided appropriate orientation and ongoing coaching about fundraising and your plans.

Volunteers are not fundraising professionals. You have to show strong leadership in guiding your board and volunteers and coaching them to success. Paint a picture of the outcomes you will achieve. Show them how the right strategy will work. Make them feel comfortable with their roles.

Effective fundraising volunteers know that it starts with them—first with their giving and then their sphere of influence. Ask for their insight as you craft plans, but then show strong leadership to keep your organization’s fundraising focused on the plan and the best possible outcomes.