Episode Details

If your board keeps saying they’ll help fundraise but nothing actually happens, this is for you.

This is one of the biggest frustrations I hear from EDs and development leaders. You ask. You remind. You bring it up in meetings. And still… no real results.

In this episode, I break down the three mistakes that are keeping your board stuck and what to do instead. Because your board can be one of your strongest pipelines for new donors, but only if you lead them, equip them, and stop assuming they know what they’re doing.

I’m also sharing real examples of what happens when this clicks, like a $5,000 gift that came in three days after a simple introduction and a $283,000 night from a board-led micro event. This is about getting actual results, not just talking about fundraising.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why following your board’s ideas instead of leading them is killing your fundraising results
• How to redirect unhelpful suggestions like galas into what you actually need
• What leadership really looks like when it comes to board fundraising
• Why your board doesn’t know how to make introductions even if it seems obvious to you
• How to equip board members with simple, fast talking points they can actually use
• The real reason board members avoid fundraising and it’s not laziness
• How your own attitude toward fundraising is shaping your board’s behavior
• Why most board members are not anti fundraising, they’re anti feeling awkward and salesy
• What it takes to turn board members into a consistent source of new donors
• How to use simple strategies like micro events to generate major gifts quickly

Your board is not the problem. The lack of leadership, clarity, and tools is. When you lead them, equip them, and show them a better way to fundraise, they will step up. And when they do, they can become your strongest source of new donors.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.

If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.