Why Your Nonprofit Board Isn't Fundraising (and How to Fix It)
If you're in a leadership role at a nonprofit, chances are you've encountered one of the most persistent frustrations: your board just isn't fundraising. Maybe you inherited this board from a predecessor, or perhaps you recruited them yourself. Either way, fundraising likely wasn't part of the initial conversation when they agreed to serve the mission. Now you're stuck wondering why these passionate, capable people aren't bringing in resources.
Here's the reality: most nonprofit board members simply haven't been trained on how to properly fundraise. They might be fantastic community advocates, successful professionals, or enthusiastic supporters of your cause, but without proper guidance, these well-meaning people are often unsure, hesitant, and ineffective in fundraising roles.
They Lack Training, Not Good Intentions
Many boards consist of smart, dedicated people who genuinely care about your mission. However they probably weren't recruited with fundraising in mind. Without proper training, these wonderful supporters might feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or even resistant to the idea of asking others for money. Consider starting with a basic Nonprofit Board Training, equipping them with the skills and confidence to approach fundraising authentically and effectively.
Unclear Vision and Mission = Fundraising Paralysis
Another common roadblock? Your board may struggle because the organization’s vision isn't clear or compelling enough to communicate effectively to potential donors. This doesn’t mean that your vision isn’t good enough, it just means that it isn’t specific enough. Without a tangible project, a clear campaign, or specific outcomes to champion, board members often don’t know how or what to ask for. If this is the case, who could blame them?
Luckily, this is a relatively simple fix. A targeted campaign is the perfect remedy. It provides clarity, urgency, and a shared goal everyone can rally around and communicate clearly about. It helps to focus conversations about real needs and tangible impacts.
Meaningful Buy-In Comes First
It’s essential to realize that effective fundraising begins with meaningful board giving. "Meaningful" doesn’t mean "largest", and it doesn’t mean “give or get”. It means a gift that is significant for that specific individual depending on their situation. When board members invest financially, it strengthens their confidence and authenticity when they encourage others to join because they have skin in the game.
If board giving feels awkward, approach it as a transparent conversation about investment, not obligation. You’re building a culture where generosity and commitment start from within. It’s very difficult to get people to give to a project that their own board won’t even support.
Not Everyone Needs to Ask, But Everyone Can Help!
Let’s face it, not every board member is going to thrive as an "asker." Instead of forcing everyone into uncomfortable roles, leverage each board member's natural strengths. Some may excel in networking and can connect your organization to potential donors. Others may be gifted storytellers, perfect for engaging events or writing persuasive letters.
You can also consider inviting board members (and non-board members!) to join a separate philanthropy council, creating a less pressured environment. Invite all board members to participate, but don’t mandate it. This respects everyone’s comfort level and still maximizes your fundraising potential.
Build a Fundraising-Friendly Board Culture
If your board isn’t fundraising, it’s probably not because of a character flaw in your people that serve on your board. It’s likely a structural one in your organization, which is far easier to fix. Address this by:
Clarifying your vision and launching a compelling campaign
Providing accessible fundraising training
Securing meaningful board donations first
Leveraging individual strengths instead of forcing uncomfortable roles
When your board understands, embraces, and actively participates in fundraising (even if it’s not in the "asking" role), your organization becomes exponentially stronger. Check out our other insights on Why Your Board is the Easiest Fundraising You'll Ever Do for even more ideas on activating board engagement.
The good news is that change is possible, and with these strategic shifts, your board can become your nonprofit’s most powerful fundraising asset.
Need help with getting your board involved in philanthropy for your nonprofit? We can help with that! Send us a message to chat with one of our experts about how to help scale up your fundraising program and drive more revenue.
