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Tip Sheet:  7 Responses When a Board Says, "I'll do anything but fundraise."

• Don’t assume -- make sure it’s formally spelled out that fundraising is an ongoing expectation of board membership.
• Increase their comfort and skill levels by giving them professional development training opportunities.
• Be specific – don’t expect them to figure out how to fundraise. Tell them if you want their rol-o-dex, or if you want them to sign letters, or if you want them to create a special event.
• Make it as easy as possible. If you want letters to go out to board member contacts, it’s up to the development staff to draft the letter and do the paperwork.
• Use the peer relationship among board members to encourage each other’s efforts, or (subtlely, of course) embarrass those who don’t.
• Don’t let fundraising be one person’s responsibility. Just because one ambitious board member has been fundraising doesn’t let all the others off the hook and that needs to be stated.
• Don’t be embarrassed to remind board members that time is NOT money. Even though they give their time, that does not replace the obligation to bring in resources.