Blog

Teamwork and unity in business with multiethnic colleagues joining hands together

Most founders dream of a board that raises money, opens doors, and pushes the mission forward.But here’s the truth: You don’t find that kind of board. You build it.No one joins your board knowing exactly how to raise money for your organization. If your board isn’t fundraising, it’s not because they don’t care — it’s because you haven’t led them through the right process.And if you don’t have a process, you’re stuck depending on luck.You don’t need luck.You need a system and the willingness to implement it.Here are the 9 essential steps you must take to transform your board into fundraising champions. These are not “tips.” These are requirements.If you skip any, you’ll stay stuck. If you follow them, you’ll watch your board change before your eyes.&nbsp; Step 1: 100% Board Giving — Non-Negotiable Your board cannot ask others to give if they haven’t given themselves. Period.You cannot build a fundraising culture on hypocrisy. You need a board that leads by example. If even one member hasn’t given, they undermine the credibility of your ask.This step sets the tone. It says: “We believe in this mission enough to sacrifice for it.”Don’t delay. Lead the charge. If they haven’t given, stop everything and fix that first.Tool You Need: Board Pledge Forms + Personal Commitment Templates (included in The Board Ultimate Fix).&nbsp; Step 2: Relationship Mapping — Because Money Follows Connection You can’t raise real money without relationships — and your board has them.But without structure, their network stays locked in their head.You must create space and a system for uncovering who they know:Business owners Grant funders Church leaders Past colleagues College friends Social clubs If you don’t do this, you’re fundraising blind.Tool You Need: Relationship Mapping Template.&nbsp; Step 3: Fundraising Planning — Because Random Effort Produces Random Results Winging it won’t work.You need a clear fundraising plan that includes:<ul><li>How much you’re trying to raise</li><li>Who is responsible for what</li><li>What methods you’ll use</li><li>How you’ll track and evaluate efforts</li></ul>Without a plan, you’re just “hoping” someone gives. Planning creates focus, shared goals, and accountability.Tool You Need: Strategic Fundraising Plan Template + Role Assignment Guide.&nbsp; Step 4: Market Study and Wealth Screening — Because Strategy Beats Hustle Fundraising is not just about working hard, it’s about working smart.A simple market study helps you:<ul><li>Identify local funders</li><li>Spot businesses that sponsor similar causes</li><li>Understand your community’s giving capacity</li><li>Target people most likely to say yes</li></ul>If your board is asking the wrong people, they will always feel defeated.This step changes that.Tool You Need: Market Study and Wealth Screening Platforms&nbsp; Step 5: Build a Fundraising Team — Because Your Board Cannot Do This Alone Even if every board member wants to help, they’re not full-time staff.You must build a support system around them:<ul><li>Volunteers who handle logistics</li><li>Staff or interns who help with follow-up</li><li>Committees that share the load</li></ul>This creates energy, momentum, and shared accountability. A team approach makes fundraising doable and sustainable.Tool You Need: Onboarding Checklist&nbsp; Step 6: Develop Fundraising Materials — Because Confidence Requires Preparation If your board doesn’t have the right words, tools, or messaging, they will stay silent.Every board member must be armed with:<ul><li>A Case for Support</li><li>A One-Pager on your programs</li><li>Talking points and email scripts</li><li>Sample donor thank-you messages</li></ul>They don’t need to “figure it out.” You need to give it to them.Preparedness builds confidence. Confidence creates action.Tool You Need: Full Fundraising Toolkit.&nbsp; Step 7: Onboard and Train Your Team — Because People Rise When Expectations Are Clear You must run a short but intentional training session that:<ul><li>Clarifies expectations</li><li>Teaches them how to talk about the mission</li><li>Shows them how to make the ask</li><li>Explains how you’ll track results</li></ul>Training isn’t a luxury. It’s your foundation.Without it, your board is guessing. And guesswork doesn’t raise money.Tool You Need: Training Template + Follow-Up Plan.&nbsp; Step 8: Execute and Track — Because What You Don’t Track Doesn’t Grow Once you launch, you must track:<ul><li>Who made what ask</li><li>What the result was</li><li>Who still needs follow-up</li><li>What gifts came in</li><li>Who was stewarded</li></ul>Tracking builds momentum. It keeps your board accountable. It also helps you see where to double down and where to course-correct.&nbsp; Step 9: Build a Culture of Philanthropy — Because Fundraising Is Not an Event, It’s a Mindset This last step is what sustains everything else. Philanthropy must be part of your board culture. That means:<ul><li>Publicly celebrating giving</li><li>Recognizing effort and initiative</li><li>Reinforcing generosity at every board meeting</li><li>Making fundraising part of your board identity</li></ul>When fundraising is normalized, it becomes natural.&nbsp; You Don’t Need a Consultant. You Need the Right Tools. Listen closely:<ul><li>You can do this.</li><li>You don’t need to hire someone to teach this.</li><li>You don’t need another training session that leaves you overwhelmed and still stuck.</li><li>You need a repeatable system you can plug into your organization and execute at your own pace.</li></ul>That’s exactly what The Board Ultimate Fix gives you.For just $99, you get:✔️ Every tool and template listed above ✔️ A detailed execution guide for each step ✔️ Confidence to lead your board through the entire fundraising transformation ✔️ Lifetime access — use it anytime you add new members or launch new campaigns This is your chance to stop surviving and start leading.The founder who can activate their board to fundraise doesn’t just raise money; they earn respect.Their board listens. Their donors respond. Their organization grows.You can be that founder. All you need is the system.Get The Board Ultimate Fix now and turn your board into the fundraising team you’ve been praying for.<a data-mce-href="https://nonprofitboardbuilderllc.com/fix-your-board" href="https://nonprofitboardbuilderllc.com/fix-your-board" title="Board Ultimate Fix">Learn More About The Board Ultimate Fix﻿</a><figure id="figure-uaf0ehbe1mbpbhnxa"><img id="uaf0ehbe1mbpbhnxa" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/603992138/photo/meeting-of-shareholders.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=VDb2ob10J2v1WxeHxLKoMgT5Q95SMW8loBz9ZmeVlTs=" alt="Meeting of shareholders" title="Meeting of shareholders" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

If You Want a Fundraising Board, You Must Build It

Let me tell you a secret: I used to beg my board to fundraise.I’d send emails. Share training videos. Drop hints in meetings. I even wrote scripts for them.And every time?Silence. Excuses. Discomfort. Delay.At some point, I told myself: "Maybe they're just not fundraisers. Maybe I need a new board."But the truth hit me like a brick: It wasn’t that they couldn’t fundraise; it’s that no one had shown them how.No one had given them a system. No one had made them feel equipped. No one had made them feel like fundraising was their job, too.That realization changed everything for me and for the nonprofit founders I now coach.Because once I implemented a system that broke it all down step by step, fundraising became less scary. It became structured, shared, and strategic.And yes, the same board that once avoided fundraising started showing up, giving first, and helping raise real money.You can do the same. Let me show you how.&nbsp; Step 1: Start With 100% Board Giving Before your board can ask anyone to give, they need to give first.Why? Because fundraising starts with investment.If your board isn’t personally invested in the organization, they will always hesitate to ask others to do what they themselves haven’t done.This doesn’t mean they all have to give thousands; it means every board member gives a gift that’s meaningful to them. Something that reflects commitment.Tool you’ll need: A Board Giving Pledge Form + Intro Content explaining why 100% board giving matters (provided inside The Board Ultimate Fix).&nbsp; Step 2: Relationship Mapping Your board members know people. They just don’t know how to connect those people to your mission, yet.Relationship mapping helps uncover:<ul><li>Friends, colleagues, or businesses that align with your cause</li><li>Donor prospects hidden inside their networks</li><li>Brand or foundation connections that could open doors</li></ul>You’re not asking them to fundraise yet. You’re asking them to identify who they know — and start connecting the dots.Tool you’ll need: A Relationship Mapping Template and Introduction Strategy (included in The Board Ultimate Fix).&nbsp; Step 3: Fundraising Planning You need a game plan, not vague goals.Most boards resist fundraising because the ask feels unclear or too big. But when they’re part of a real plan, with structure, targets, roles, and tools, fundraising becomes doable.Involve them in:<ul><li>Setting the funding goal</li><li>Choosing the fundraising strategies (grants, events, individual donors, corporate gifts)</li><li>Agreeing on their roles</li></ul>This gives them ownership. And people support what they help create.Tool you’ll need: A Fundraising Planning Template and Campaign Role Menu.&nbsp; Step 4: Market Study and Wealth Screening Here’s where strategy meets science.Your board shouldn’t just chase anyone; they should pursue the right prospects. A simple market study and wealth screening will help you:<ul><li>Identify high-potential donors in your community or network</li><li>Spot aligned companies or foundations</li><li>Learn where your time and efforts are most likely to pay off</li><li>This shifts the board’s energy from “random asks” to “targeted outreach.”</li></ul>Tool you’ll need: Market Study &amp; Wealth Screening Platforms.&nbsp; Step 5: Build Your Fundraising Team Don’t expect your board to carry the whole weight. Build a team.That could be:<ul><li>A small fundraising committee (board + volunteers)</li><li>A campaign task force</li><li>Or a lead volunteer paired with each board member </li></ul>Your board doesn’t have to be expert fundraisers, but they should be part of a team that supports them and helps execute.Tool you’ll need: Team Role Guide, Platforms to find volunteers and Team Onboarding Checklist.&nbsp; Step 6: Develop Fundraising Materials You wouldn’t send your board into a meeting without an agenda, so don’t send them into fundraising without materials.Equip them with:<ul><li>A compelling case for support</li><li>Simple talking points</li><li>Sample emails and messages</li><li>Follow-up templates</li></ul>This turns nervous fundraisers into confident ambassadors.Tool you’ll need: The full Fundraising Materials Kit, everything from donor letters to sponsor decks.&nbsp; Step 7: Onboard and Train the Team You don’t need a consultant for this; you need structure.Host a 60-minute training session. Walk everyone through:<ul><li>Your fundraising goals</li><li>The message and mission</li><li>How to invite people to give or meet</li><li>How to follow up</li><li>Keep it simple. Clear roles. Clear expectations.</li></ul>The goal is not perfection, it’s confidence.Tool you’ll need: Board Fundraising Training Template&nbsp;&nbsp; Step 8: Execute, Track, and Steward Now you launch.Set short campaigns. Track who is doing what. Celebrate effort as well as results. And when donors give, make sure they’re thanked, stewarded, and invited to stay close.If a donor doesn’t give, follow up. Sometimes the second ask is the one that lands.&nbsp; Step 9: Build a Culture of Philanthropy Here’s the final and most important shift.When your board sees fundraising as mission work (not money work), everything changes.They begin to:<ul><li>Take pride in asking</li><li>Share the mission boldly</li><li>Feel ownership in the organization’s success</li></ul>And as they see the results, new donors, more visibility, greater sustainability, they become more motivated, more respected, and more invested.They become fundraising champions.&nbsp; You Can Lead This Process Without a Consultant. You don’t need to outsource this.You don’t need a fancy retreat or a $5,000 strategy session.You just need the tools. The structure. The words. The plan.That’s what The Board Ultimate Fix gives you for just $99.Inside, you’ll get:✔️ Every template, worksheet, and sample you need to lead your board through this process ✔️&nbsp;A full breakdown of each step — no guesswork, no fluff ✔️&nbsp;Lifetime access so you can return to the process every year ✔️&nbsp;The clarity and confidence to lead like a pro Once you learn this system, you’ll never feel stuck again. ✔️&nbsp;You’ll be able to mobilize your board anytime. ✔️&nbsp;You’ll earn their respect — and your own credibility as a nonprofit leader.Your board is not your weakness. They’re your sleeping giant.✔️&nbsp;Wake them up. ✔️&nbsp;Train them up. ✔️&nbsp;And let them carry the mission with you.Get The Board Ultimate Fix now, and let’s build your team of fundraising champions. <a data-mce-href="https://nonprofitboardbuilderllc.com/fix-your-board" href="https://nonprofitboardbuilderllc.com/fix-your-board" title="Board Ultimate Fix">Learn More About The Board Ultimate Fix﻿</a><figure id="figure-758dngc9mhmbpcw9tc"><img id="758dngc9mhmbpcw9tc" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1992448814/photo/team-teamwork-and-unity-concept-diverse-team-putting-hands-together-group-of-diverse-business.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=R6ZBg7fsCa49p3vvFPjLfzHYa-egKE4SrByoh-YBfkc=" alt="Team, teamwork, and unity concept. Diverse team putting hands together. Group of diverse business people. Working together as a team. Partnership and togetherness create a strong sense of community." title="Team, teamwork, and unity concept. Diverse team putting hands together. Group of diverse business people. Working together as a team. Partnership and togetherness create a strong sense of community." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

How to Transform Your Board Into Fundraising Champions (Even If They’ve Never Asked for a Dime)

Subject: Following Up: Our First Step to Funding the Mission Hi Team, Thank you all again for your incredible energy and strategic input at our Resource Development Planning session. It was powerful to see everyone aligned and committed to building a sustainable future for our organization. As we discussed, the most effective way to kickstart the plan we created together is for us, the leaders in this room, to make the first investment. Our 100% board participation is the vote of confidence that will inspire every other donor to follow our lead. To make this process simple and official, I have two important forms for you attached to this email: The 100% Board Giving Pledge Form: This is your personal commitment to the mission. Please fill it out to the best of your ability, remembering that our goal is 100% participation, not a specific dollar amount. Every gift matters and signals our unified strength. The Relationship Mapping Form: This is the tool we will use to strategically and confidentially identify potential supporters within our collective networks. Please take 20-30 minutes to think through your connections—this is the first step to unlocking our hidden fundraising potential. Please complete both of these forms and return them to me by [Date - e.g., end of day next Friday, July 4th]. This is the moment we move from planning to action. Thank you for being the first to step up. I am truly excited to launch this plan with you. Best regards, Name Role [INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION'S LOGO HERE] Board of Directors Annual Giving Pledge Form Fiscal Year: [Insert Fiscal Year, e.g., 2025-2026] Our Commitment as Leaders As members of the Board of Directors, our leadership and personal investment are the foundation of our organization's fundraising success. Our unanimous participation sends a powerful message to our staff, volunteers, and community that we believe deeply in the mission and are committed to ensuring it is fully funded. Thank you for making this personal commitment. Your gift, at whatever level is meaningful to you, is a vital first step in achieving the strategic goals we have set together. Board Member Information Full Name: _________________________________________________ Date: _________________________ 1. My Commitment ( ) Yes, I commit to making a personally meaningful annual financial contribution to [ORGANIZATION NAME] as part of my leadership role on the board. 2. My Giving Plan Total Pledge Amount for the Year: $______________________________ I will fulfill my pledge as follows (please select one): ( ) A one-time gift ( ) Monthly installments of $_____________ ( ) Quarterly installments of $____________ ( ) Other: ________________________________ Date I intend to complete my pledge payment(s): _________________________ 3. Payment Method ( ) Check: My check, payable to [ORGANIZATION NAME], is enclosed. ( ) Online: I will make my gift online at [Insert Link to Your Donation Page]. ( ) Stock or Other Assets: Please contact me to discuss making a gift of securities or other assets. 4. Recognition &amp; Confidentiality ( ) I am comfortable with my participation being shared with the board, funders, or donors as part of demonstrating 100% board giving. ( ) I prefer my specific pledge amount to remain confidential among senior leadership. 5. Optional: Matching Gift ( ) I intend to request a matching gift from my employer. Employer Name: _________________________________ Signature By signing below, I affirm my commitment to 100% board giving and to leading our mission with integrity. (Signature) Thank you for setting the standard and investing in the future of [Organization Name]. For Office Use Only: Date Received: ____________ | Logged by: _______________ | Pledge Fulfilled: ( ) Yes ( ) No [INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION'S LOGO HERE] Board of Directors Relationship Mapping Form Unlocking Our Collective Network As leaders and ambassadors for [ORGANIZATION NAME], our collective network is one of our most powerful, untapped assets. The purpose of this exercise is not to create a list of friends to ask for money. It is a strategic tool to help us identify individuals, businesses, and community leaders who may have a natural affinity for our mission. Your role is simply to help us open the door; our fundraising team will take it from there. Your insights are invaluable. Please take 20-30 minutes to thoughtfully consider your connections across different areas of your life. Board Member Information Full Name: _________________________________________________ Date: _________________________ Instructions: For each category below, use the prompts to brainstorm individuals, companies, or groups. Please list anyone you know who might care about our cause, is a community leader, or has supported nonprofits in the past. Section 1: Individuals (Personal &amp; Community Networks) Think about the people you know through your personal life, hobbies, and community involvement. Who in your network cares about our cause? Members of your faith-based community? Members of your civic clubs (e.g., Rotary, Kiwanis)? Neighbors or friends who have expressed philanthropic interests? Leaders from other nonprofit organizations who could be partners? Name Relationship (e.g., Friend, Colleague) Why They Might Care / Background Willing to Intro? (Y/N)Section 2: Businesses &amp; Companies (Corporate Connections) Which businesses are you affiliated with (as an employee, customer, or friend), loyal to, or know to be active in community support? Many companies have matching gift programs or CSR initiatives. Your current employer? Your spouse's/partner's employer? Former colleagues who are now leaders at other companies? Key vendors or suppliers you have a strong relationship with? Company Name How Are You Connected? Contact Person/Title Willing to Intro? (Y/N)Section 3: Professional Services Think about the professionals you hire personally or for your business. These are potential in-kind donors, sponsors, or sources of expert advice. Who is your Lawyer / Law Firm? Who is your Accountant / Financial Advisor? Who is your Bank / Banker? Who is your Real Estate Agent or Insurance Agent? Service (e.g., Law Firm, Bank) Name of Person/Firm Willing to Intro? (Y/N)Section 4: Foundations &amp; Grantmakers Do you have a personal or professional connection—even a distant one—to anyone who works for or serves on the board of a philanthropic foundation or charitable trust? Foundation Name Your Connection / Contact Person Willing to Intro? (Y/N)Thank you for your thoughtful participation. Your network is a powerful force for good, and this exercise is the first step in channeling it to advance our shared mission. Please return this worksheet to the board chair or the executive director. How to Create Your Board Forms with Google Forms: A Step-by-Step Guide This guide will walk you through creating two of the most critical tools for your board's fundraising efforts: the 100% Board Giving Pledge Form and the Relationship Mapping Form. Google Forms is a free and simple tool that is perfect for this task. Part 1: How to Create the 100% Board Giving Pledge Form Step 1: Create a New Form Go to forms.google.com. Click on "+ Blank form" to start. Step 2: Set Up the Header Form Title: [Your Organization Name] - Board Giving Pledge Form Form Description: Copy and paste the following text: As members of the Board of Directors, our leadership and personal investment are the foundation of our organization's fundraising success. Our unanimous participation sends a powerful message that we believe deeply in the mission and are committed to ensuring it is fully funded. Thank you for making this personal commitment. Step 3: Add the Form Questions Click the "+" button to add a new question for each item below. Full Name Question Title: Full Name Question Type: Short answer Make this question Required. Date Question Title: Date Question Type: Date My Commitment Question Title: My Commitment Question Type: Checkboxes Option 1: Yes, I commit to making a personally meaningful annual financial contribution to [YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME] as part of my leadership role on the board. Make this question Required. My Giving Plan Question Title: Total Pledge Amount for the Year ($) Question Type: Short answer (Set validation to "Number") Pledge Fulfillment Question Title: I will fulfill my pledge as follows: Question Type: Multiple choice Options: A one-time gift, Monthly installments, Quarterly installments, Other (please specify). Recognition &amp; Confidentiality Question Title: Recognition &amp; Confidentiality Question Type: Multiple choice Option 1: I am comfortable with my participation being shared (not the amount) to demonstrate 100% board giving. Option 2: I prefer my participation and pledge amount to remain completely confidential. Step 4: Share the Form Once you are finished, click the "Send" button in the top-right corner. Go to the link tab (🔗), copy the link, and you are ready to send it to your board members. Part 2: How to Create the Relationship Mapping Form Step 1: Create a New Form Go to forms.google.com and click "+ Blank form". Step 2: Set Up the Header Form Title: Board of Directors: Relationship Mapping Form Form Description: Copy and paste the following text: As leaders for [ORGANIZATION NAME], our collective network is one of our most powerful assets. This is a strategic tool to help us identify individuals and businesses who may have a natural affinity for our mission. Your role is simply to help us open the door; our team will take it from there. Please take 20-30 minutes to thoughtfully consider your connections. Step 3: Add the Form Sections and Questions Use the "Add section" button (looks like two rectangles) to break the form into clear parts. Section 1: Board Member Information Full Name (Question Type: Short answer, Required) Date (Question Type: Date) Section 2: Individuals (Personal &amp; Community Networks) Section Description: Think about people you know through your personal life, hobbies, and community involvement (e.g., members of your faith community, civic clubs, neighbors, former colleagues). Question: Please list 1-3 individuals. (Question Type: Paragraph) Section 3: Businesses &amp; Companies (Corporate Connections) Section Description: Which businesses are you affiliated with (as an employee or customer), loyal to, or know to be active in community support? Think about your employer, your spouse's employer, key vendors, etc. Question: Please list 1-3 businesses. (Question Type: Paragraph) Section 4: Professional Services Section Description: Think about the professionals you hire personally or for your business. These are potential in-kind donors or sponsors. Question: Who is your Lawyer, Accountant, Banker, Real Estate Agent, etc.? Please list 1-3. (Question Type: Paragraph) Section 5: Foundations &amp; Grantmakers Section Description: Do you have a personal or professional connection—even a distant one—to anyone who works for or serves on the board of a philanthropic foundation or charitable trust? Question: Please list any foundations that come to mind. (Question Type: Paragraph) Step 4: Share the Form Click the "Send" button, go to the link tab (🔗), copy the link, and send it to your board.

100% Board Giving and Relationship Mapping Tempate

Board Recruitment Templates

Board Audit Template

A Note for the Founder: This template is your step-by-step guide to facilitating a powerful, high-energy, 2-hour strategic planning session with your board. Your role here is not to have all the answers, but to ask the right questions and guide the conversation. Trust the process, trust your board, and use this guide to keep the discussion focused and productive.Part 1: Pre-Meeting Preparation (1 Week Before) Your success in the 2-hour session depends entirely on the preparation you do beforehand.[ ] Step 1: Send the Pre-Planning Email: A week before the meeting, send the "Pre-Planning Email" with the refined questions from Chapter 4 to every board member. Give them a clear deadline to respond (e.g., 3 days before the meeting). [ ] Step 2: Compile the Feedback: As the responses come in, copy and paste all the ideas into a single document. Organize them by category (e.g., all "Marketing &amp; Reputation" ideas together). This document is your raw material for the meeting. [ ] Step 3: Distribute the Compiled Ideas: Two days before the meeting, send the full document of compiled, anonymized ideas to every board member. This ensures everyone comes into the room having already considered the collective thoughts of the group. [ ] Step 4: Prepare Your Facilitation Space:In-Person: Secure a large whiteboard or several flip chart pages. Have plenty of markers in different colors. Virtual: Prepare a virtual whiteboard tool like Miro or Mural. Create pre-made frames for each section of the agenda. Timer: Have a visible timer ready (a physical clock or a timer app on screen). Sample Pre-Planning Email Template Subject: Getting Ready for Our Strategic Planning SessionHi [Board Member Name],As you know, our 2-hour strategic planning session is scheduled for [Date of Meeting]. To make our time together as productive and high-impact as possible, I need your valuable strategic thinking beforehand. Your input is essential for setting the direction of our organization for the next chapter.Please take 15-20 minutes to thoughtfully answer the questions below and send your responses back to me by [Response Deadline, e.g., end of day Friday].Your individual responses will be compiled anonymously with everyone else's and shared with the full board before our meeting. This will allow us to come into the session with a rich set of ideas to discuss.Pre-Planning Questions:Our Big Picture: "Looking ahead 12-24 months, what is the single most important, tangible outcome we must achieve to call this year a success? (e.g., 'Serve 500 more families,' 'Secure our first six-figure grant,' 'Launch the new mentorship program')." Our Reputation &amp; Marketing: "Right now, what do you think is the biggest misconception about our organization in the community? What is one specific marketing action (like a new video, a better website homepage, or a specific social media campaign) we could take to fix it?" Our Partnerships: "Name one organization, company, or community leader we are not currently working with, but whose partnership could be a game-changer for our credibility and impact. Why them?" Our Fundraising: "What is our single biggest barrier to raising more money right now? If we could remove that one barrier, what would become possible? Also, name one person or company you believe we should be talking to for funding that we aren't." Our Team &amp; Culture: "What is one thing we could do to make serving on this board more meaningful and effective for everyone in this room?" Your Big Idea: "What is one bold, specific idea you have for this organization that you haven't had a chance to share yet?" Thank you for your time and your commitment to this important process. I am truly excited to see the powerful ideas that come from this and to work with you all to shape our future.Best regards,[Your Name] Founder/Executive Director Part 2: The 2-Hour Strategic Planning Agenda &amp; Script (Time: 0:00 - 0:10) Welcome &amp; Framing the Session Your Goal: Set a positive, energetic, and focused tone.Facilitator Script:"Welcome, everyone. Thank you for your time and for the incredible ideas you shared in the pre-planning survey. The goal of our next two hours together is not to create a 50-page document that will sit on a shelf. The goal is to create clarity, alignment, and shared ownership. We will move fast, think at a high level, and by the end of this session, we will have a clear mission for each key area of our organization and a clear owner for the next step. My role is to facilitate and keep us on track. Your role is to bring your best strategic thinking. Let's begin." (Time: 0:10 - 0:40) The Big Picture: Needs, Solutions &amp; SWOT Your Goal: Ground the conversation in your community's needs and your organization's current reality.Facilitator Script &amp; Actions:Discuss Community Needs (10 mins): "Based on the community outreach we conducted and the feedback you all reviewed, what was the most surprising or powerful thing you learned about the needs of the people we serve? Let's quickly discuss the top 2-3 needs we must address." (Capture these on the whiteboard). Conduct SWOT Analysis (20 mins): "Now, let's take a quick but honest look at our own reality. We're going to do a rapid SWOT analysis." (Draw a 2x2 grid on the whiteboard labeled Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)."Let's start with Strengths: Looking inward, what are our greatest assets right now?" (Write them down). "Now for Weaknesses: Where are we weak? What skill gaps or limitations are holding us back?" (Write them down). "Let's look outside at Opportunities: What trends, partnerships, or community needs could we leverage?" (Write them down). "Finally, Threats: What external factors could harm our work?" (Write them down). (Time: 0:40 - 1:40) Mission-Defining for Key Areas Your Goal: Facilitate a discussion that results in a clear, co-created mission statement for each functional area.Facilitator Script &amp; Actions: "Excellent. Now that we have the big picture, we're going to build the core of our plan. For each of the following areas, our goal is to answer one key question to create a guiding mission. I will capture our final mission statement on the board."For Organizational Profile (15 mins):Ask: "Let's start with the top. When we are wildly successful five years from now, what will be different in our community because we existed? Let's capture that outcome in a single, powerful sentence that includes the partners and donors who will help us get there." Facilitate &amp; Write: Guide the discussion until you have a sentence. Write the final "Overall Mission Statement" on the board. For Marketing (10 mins):Ask: "To achieve that overall mission, what is the primary job of our marketing? Let's complete this sentence: 'Our marketing mission is to establish this organization as...'" Facilitate &amp; Write: Guide the discussion (e.g., "...as the most trusted voice on our issue," "...as the go-to resource for families in our city"). Write the final "Marketing Mission" on the board. For Partnerships (10 mins):Ask: "What is the strategic purpose of our partnerships? Let's complete this sentence: 'Our partnership mission is to build alliances that allow us to...'" Facilitate &amp; Write: Guide the discussion (e.g., "...reach new communities," "...add credibility to our work," "...access new funding streams"). Write the final "Partnership Mission" on the board. For Resource Development (15 mins):Ask: "What is the core purpose of our fundraising? Let's complete this sentence: 'Our resource development mission is to fuel our work by...'" Facilitate &amp; Write: Guide the discussion (e.g., "...building a community of grassroots investors," "...securing major multi-year grants from foundations"). Write the final "Resource Development Mission" on the board. For Human Resources (Team &amp; Culture) (10 mins):Ask: "What kind of team—both staff and board—must we be to succeed? Let's complete this sentence: 'Our team mission is to foster a culture of...'" Facilitate &amp; Write: Guide the discussion (e.g., "...radical accountability and mutual support," "...innovation and continuous learning"). Write the final "Team Mission" on the board. (Time: 1:40 - 2:00) Delegation &amp; Next Steps Your Goal: Ensure every strategic area has a clear owner before the meeting ends.Facilitator Script &amp; Actions: "This has been an incredible session. Look at what we've created together." (Gesture to the whiteboard with all the mission statements). "We have clarity and a shared direction. The final, and most important, step today is delegation. Our plan is only as good as our commitment to executing it." Facilitate Delegation ScriptWe need a board member to take the lead on each of these areas, to take the mission we just created and build out the detailed action plan. Based on our conversation today and your own passions, who feels drawn to lead the charge for Marketing?" (Wait for a volunteer. Write their name next to the Marketing Mission. Repeat for each area: Partnerships, Resource Development, etc.). Clarify Next Steps: "Thank you all for stepping up. Here are the next steps. For those who have taken the lead on an area, your task is to develop an in-depth action plan based on the mission we created today. That plan should include the steps, people, and budget needed. My role is to support each of you in that process. You will present your finished plans for approval at our next board meeting on [Date]." End with Energy: "I am more excited than ever about the future of this organization. Thank you for your leadership and commitment. We have a clear plan. Let's go execute." Part 3: Post-Meeting: Writing the Plan Your Role as Integrator: Your job is not to write the plan alone. Start a master document and fill in the high-level sections we completed in the meeting (Overall Mission, SWOT, etc.). Collect the Plans: As your board members complete their detailed action plans, integrate each one into the master document under the appropriate heading. Complete the Budget: Once all the individual plans and their mini-budgets are submitted, you can create the full, comprehensive organizational budget. Distribute for Review: Send the complete strategic plan document to the full board for their review before the next meeting, where they will officially vote to approve it.

Ideal Funders, LLC

Blog

If You Want a Fundraising Board, You Must Build It

How to Transform Your Board Into Fundraising Champions (E...

100% Board Giving and Relationship Mapping Tempate

Board Recruitment Templates

Board Audit Template

The Board Ultimate Fix: Strategic Planning Facilitation T...