Comments on: I’m Not Here to Raise Money http://www.asmallchange.net/im-not-here-to-raise-money/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=im-not-here-to-raise-money Making Sense of Fundraising Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:58:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brian Saber http://www.asmallchange.net/im-not-here-to-raise-money/#comment-329 Brian Saber Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:26:29 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=135#comment-329 Absolutely they are there to fundraise! If not, why would anyone need a large board? Professional staff can take care of most decisions these days and guide an organization ably, so in terms of fiduciary responsibility one would only need three board members. But it does take an army to raise the resources our organizations need to function well, especially in today's economy and state of government support for charitable work. We must make it clear to board members before they join the board that giving personally significant gifts and helping raise other funds is paramount. The mistake many organizations make is not being clear from the outset, or becoming wishy-washy after the fact. And that's very counterproductive. Absolutely they are there to fundraise! If not, why would anyone need a large board? Professional staff can take care of most decisions these days and guide an organization ably, so in terms of fiduciary responsibility one would only need three board members. But it does take an army to raise the resources our organizations need to function well, especially in today’s economy and state of government support for charitable work.

We must make it clear to board members before they join the board that giving personally significant gifts and helping raise other funds is paramount. The mistake many organizations make is not being clear from the outset, or becoming wishy-washy after the fact. And that’s very counterproductive.

]]> By: Suzy http://www.asmallchange.net/im-not-here-to-raise-money/#comment-328 Suzy Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:36:26 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=135#comment-328 For our regional Foundation focused on economic development, Board Members are important both in telling our story and listening to our constituents. In addition, they bring strong networks from both their community and professional lives. Even if they are not involved in the direct ask, they are critical in connecting our development team to prospective donors. And they do one other thing…lead! Our board members are thoughtful individuals, knowledgeable about our area, its people and its future. While our staff are bright and have great expertise in their program areas, they simply cannot bring in the perspective of each of our diverse communities or the varied personal and professional experiences Board Members bring to their service. Don’t forget what a valuable resource these folks can be. For our regional Foundation focused on economic development, Board Members are important both in telling our story and listening to our constituents. In addition, they bring strong networks from both their community and professional lives. Even if they are not involved in the direct ask, they are critical in connecting our development team to prospective donors.

And they do one other thing…lead! Our board members are thoughtful individuals, knowledgeable about our area, its people and its future. While our staff are bright and have great expertise in their program areas, they simply cannot bring in the perspective of each of our diverse communities or the varied personal and professional experiences Board Members bring to their service.

Don’t forget what a valuable resource these folks can be.

]]> By: Patrick Sallee http://www.asmallchange.net/im-not-here-to-raise-money/#comment-327 Patrick Sallee Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:22:57 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=135#comment-327 We have this same problem with a few board members. I agree with your thoughts on their knowledge of the program. We have specific board members that provide legal counsel or serve as a very strong support of our accounting as treasurer. But it always feels like those that aren't in that position and don't want to help raise funds...or donate funds, are benefiting more than we are. We have this same problem with a few board members. I agree with your thoughts on their knowledge of the program. We have specific board members that provide legal counsel or serve as a very strong support of our accounting as treasurer. But it always feels like those that aren’t in that position and don’t want to help raise funds…or donate funds, are benefiting more than we are.

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