How to Prepare Board Members and Volunteers to Ask for Gifts
Key Takeaways: 1. Donor Trust, Data Breaches & Cybersecurity
Data breaches are rising and have long-term impacts on donor trust and giving
Why speed, transparency, and clear communication are critical after a breach
How security upgrades, third-party verification, and ongoing updates help rebuild trust
2. Why Board Members & Volunteers Drive Fundraising Success
The #1 reason people don’t give is because they weren’t asked
Peer-to-peer fundraising builds credibility, trust, and higher donor engagement
Asking is leadership and a core part of mission-driven fundraising
3. Redefining “Asking” to Increase Volunteer Participation -Asking includes opening doors, sharing stories, co-asking, and hosting conversations -Why personal giving by board members is the foundation of effective fundraising 4. The Connector–Cultivator–Closer Model
Assigning fundraising roles based on strengths increases confidence and follow-through
Why expecting volunteers to do everything leads to inaction
5. Setting Volunteers Up for Success
The importance of clear expectations, written roles, and talking points
Why training, scripts, and follow-up dramatically improve volunteer performance
6. Accountability & Celebrating the Right Wins
Focus on inputs (meetings, introductions, conversations), not just dollars raised
How recognizing effort builds momentum and long-term engagement
