Today, we’re going to talk about turtles.
Turtles are what come to mind when I think about board members. Every fundraiser has seen that look of fear that flashes through someone’s eyes when you ask them about fundraising. Whether that’s a board member, staff member, or volunteer– people retreat into their shells when asked to engage in fundraising.
The turtle-like instinct to pull inward when faced with fear– fear of asking, fear of the unknown, fear of learning a new concept– is completely normal. It can feel easy and comfortable to shelter ourselves from new or scary things, put our heads down, and get the work done.
But fundraising alone can feel isolating and, frankly, is much too big of a responsibility for one person to bear on their own. That’s why building a culture of philanthropy is SO important.
So… What does a culture of philanthropy look like? It looks like having board members who understand the importance of fundraising and see it as a valuable skill they can bring to your board. They are part of your organization's fundraising culture, and have committed to being accountable to your fundraising goals. That doesn’t mean that board members are always the ones doing the asking. Building a culture of philanthropy can look like:
- Board members calling to thank your donors
- Non-fundraiser staff members understanding the critical role that individual donors play in building community support
- Respecting and honoring donors of all sizes
- Fundraisers having a standing agenda item at board meetings to talk about goals and prospects
- Staff members looking out for prospective donors
Encouraging board members to step beyond their comfort zones—like a turtle extending its head out from its shell—can lead to remarkable outcomes. Together, they can harness their collective strengths, networks, and passion for the organization's mission to engage donors, foster relationships, and drive meaningful change. And if you’d like more strategies on how to improve your board’s culture of philanthropy, please reach out. I’d love to strategize with you!
Coach Cat says:
“Fundraising is more than just asking for money. While that is absolutely a part of the donor cycle, saying thank-you is just as important and generally a less -intimidating first step to engaging other team members in fundraising. And who doesn’t love saying thank you?”