Building A Better Board

With the start of a new year I thought I would address what every nonprofit executive director secretly wishes for – building a better board of directors.

Here’s what my wishes would be for the perfect board of directors:

• Attends majority of board meetings
• Willingly participates in fund development activity
• Willingly donates time, treasure or talent to the organization
• Attends seminars such as Chuck Loring’s Board Development program to better understand role of board member
• Understands that role is strategic focus and fund development.  Does not get into the weeds of tactics
• Asks the right questions of staff and at board meetings
• Does not fall prey to “glamour” ad campaigns that are not affordable and not focused on what the nonprofit truly needs
• Agrees to work with other board members and put personal feelings assign for the good of the organization
• Recommends others to become board of director members who support the organization, the role of being a board member, and fill in the various positions that all boards need

Would love to hear what you think are important elements that make a great board member.  There are so few great boards at local nonprofits.  I’m not sure why but I join every nonprofit executive director in the wish for building a better board in 2012.

Asking for more

I had an interesting conversation with a friend this week. We were talking about direct mail fundraising campaigns and the importance of revising your list and letter became paramount as she recounted this. She donated $500 to a local nonprofit. Eight weeks later she received a letter asking for an $100 donation. Next time they may be lucky to get $50 from her. Why? Because they aren’t using their data correctly and that may give a donor the impression that the entire organization is inefficient.

Many organizations have large mailing lists and continue to “snail mail” donor requests. An efficient fund development office should cull those who haven’t given in a long time. They also must figure out if donors or possible donors would prefer digital communications vs. mail. And finally, they need to recognize donors for their donation and increase the “ask” next time around.

More on social media

The Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project is a great snapshot of the use of social media by young adults. This is particularly important for nonprofits seeking to reach this population.

The study shows a decline in blogging among teens and young adults but a small rise in adults 30+. This decline was related to the growth of social media network sites with 72% of young adults using them.

Though the Idealware survey talks about Twitter, be aware that teens and young adults are not big users of the site. Facebook is the king of social networks for adults.

Cause to Communicate loves reading these market research studies. There are gems in there if you look hard enough that will make your fundraising efforts more successful.

Reaching the goal line

As a big fan of college football I know that the winner of the game usually has the best plan to reach the goal line. It requires both short term achievements (have to make that first down!) and traveling the length of the field for that touchdown (or field goal).

The same is true for nonprofits. Nonprofits need to have a plan to reach short term goals as well as long term ones. And, they need to tell their various constituencies, especially donors and prospective donors, what those goals are and how successful they have been in achieving them.

Just like in football, you have to measure that success. So instead of getting the field chain crew to measure the 10 yards, your nonprofit needs to have a structure in place to detail quantifiable goals.

Why tout your success and your goals? Because the competition for donor dollars or grant dollars is fierce. The nonprofit that has the best game plan and can prove success will be the winner every time.