There Is a Fundraiser in All of Us

David Sternberg

Nearly every board member I have encountered wants to be part of an organization that can effectively accomplish its mission—and has plenty of money to do so. They want to serve on the board, but they emphatically do not want to be fundraisers.

Hmmm…what is it about fundraising that strikes terror into the hearts of even the savviest board members? I have found that it can often be a matter of perspective:  they believe in the mission; they just need to learn that storytelling about that mission can be the most powerful kind of fundraising. And they do have stories to tell!

Ask board members to tell those stories.

For starters, ask them to share why they got involved in your organization. At a recent retreat with a Habitat for Humanity affiliate, a board member told the story of a young girl who approached her at a construction site. Pointing to the house under construction, the girl asked if the board member was building that house. After the board member explained that yes, she was one of many building the house, the young girl hugged her leg and said, “thanks, we have one just like it and they will love it.”

Share that story and ask a board prospect if they want to change a life – a fundraiser is born!

Ask board members how their mission can make a difference. At a recognition event honoring the Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year, the Big Brother being honored shared this brief snippet: “On my first visit with my little brother ten years ago, we went to a ballgame and then to McDonald’s. After we ate he walked over to the indoor play area.  As I walked to his side, he looked up at me and said, ‘if you stand here they won’t know I don’t have a father.’”

Not a dry eye in the house – this volunteer is still afraid of fundraising, but he’s the best fundraiser I have met in years!

When did your board last devote time to asking these very simple questions?  Now be honest:  can’t that monthly budget discussion be delayed just a little, to make time for finding the fundraisers inside your board members?