3 Ways to Engage Your Board in Philanthropy

Your board of directors can either support or hinder your nonprofit’s fundraising effort in a wide variety of ways. Even with your board’s weight in influencing your fundraising program, many organizations struggle to move board members beyond governance into active engagement with fundraising. Some members resist because they fear being asked to directly solicit donations, while others simply don’t understand how vital their involvement is.

The truth is, your board’s participation in philanthropy sends one of the strongest signals to donors and community stakeholders that your mission is worth supporting. Here are three practical ways to engage your board in philanthropy without reducing it to “just tell them to go ask for money.”

1. Make Philanthropy Part of the Culture

Yes, this is easier said than done. Your goal here though should be to weave philanthropy into the DNA of your entire organization. When fundraising is treated as an isolated function solely put on the staff or even the head organization, board members can then “safely” view it as someone else’s responsibility.

One of the easiest shifts in this regard can be done when new board members are brought on for the first time. The expectation should be set immediately for a board member’s role in governance, operations, and fundraising. This will likely vary from board member to board member as well as from organization to organization. As long as the correct expectation is set from the outset, it is far easier to manage when everyone knows their role and is comfortable in it. It’s much harder to create the expectation of helping with the fundraising process retroactively to someone who has sat on the board for years and has never had any of those responsibilities before.

And perhaps most importantly, set the expectation of 100% board giving at a level that is personally significant and meaningful for each member. The amount will vary between the person, but a minimum floor of board giving will stretch some people too much, and minimize others who could potentially give more. When everyone contributes financially, regardless of amount, it opens up more doors for additional revenue and provides essential credibility.

2. Conduct a Board Training or Retreat

Many board members resist fundraising not because they don’t care, but because they don’t feel prepared or comfortable. The idea of soliciting a gift or even talking about philanthropy can be intimidating for the majority of people. That’s why structured training or a retreat can be such a transformative tool.

These sessions provide a safe environment for board members to truly learn, ask questions, and even role-play donor conversations without any pressure. A retreat might include exercises on how to share their personal “why” for serving on the board, guided discussions about solicitation, and practical examples of how they can support fundraising without ever making a direct ask. For example, a board member who is uncomfortable asking for donations may still be highly effective at introducing potential donors, hosting a small gathering, or telling a compelling story and giving information about your impact.

When board members walk away from a successful training or retreat, they begin to view fundraising not as a dreaded obligation but as an opportunity to advance the mission they already believe in.

3. Conduct a Specific Fundraising Initiative

If your board is ever going to step into philanthropy, the best way to make it happen is by giving them a concrete opportunity. “General fundraising support” is difficult for most people to wrap their heads around. A specific fundraising initiative like a campaign or even a short-term project creates a natural and organic reason to involve your board and makes their participation feel focused and actionable. The initiative gives your board members an actual project they can champion, rather than a vague expectation to “do more fundraising” just because they sit on the board.

When board members rally around a defined campaign, it not only boosts immediate results but also builds momentum for future engagement as well. They see firsthand how their involvement leads to real impact. Over time, these experiences help shift mindsets, making philanthropy feel less like an obligation and more like an energizing part of board service.

When your board is engaged in philanthropy, donors do notice. They see that your mission is not only well-led but also fully embraced by those closest to it. And that level of commitment inspires others to join as well.

Need help engaging your board in philanthropy? We can help with that! Send us a message and we would love to learn more about your nonprofit.