Posts filed under ‘Board Development’
An Open Letter to the Board of Directors
It was nice of you to quickly approve our 2010 budget and my fundraising plan. I thought when you approved it you understood you have some responsibility in our success (and failure.) In case you didn’t notice, the budget calls for the Board to raise 10% of our income. My fundraising plan offers many opportunities for you to participate and I am here to help lead and support your efforts.
Continue Reading December 4, 2015 at 10:15 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE 4 comments
An Open Letter to Our Director of Development
We were really excited when we hired you. Mostly because we knew you would do all the fundraising. We thought having a full-time fundraiser on staff would mean we would instantly raise more money. We expected, with your skills, our fundraising events and letters would be more successful than before.
Continue Reading December 3, 2015 at 9:55 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE 2 comments
Letter from the President of the Board
I am writing to ask for support beyond your time and talent. It is important that every Board member contribute financially to our organization. This is essential for a number of reasons. As leaders, we need to set the pace and example for others to follow. Our fundraising staff needs to show corporate and foundation donors we, as a Board, are supporting the organization work fully.
Continue Reading November 4, 2015 at 11:00 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
Engaging the Board in Fundraising – A Staff’s Guide
So what are the barriers that keep staff from being more successful in engaging board members to fundraise? And how can we increase our chances for success?
Continue Reading July 21, 2014 at 10:38 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
Why Do Board Members Give? by Jerry Panas
(1) Belief in the mission of the organization (your service and how you touch lives) and
(2) confidence in your future vision were rated “important” and “very important” by everyone.
It’s my responsibility as a Board member was ranked “important” by virtually everyone— but of interest, very few rated it as “very important.” (Where are we failing in letting board members know it is indeed their very important responsibility?)
Continue Reading January 8, 2014 at 12:57 pm Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
Mission Moment Preparedness
In yesterday’s post on Delighting in the Weird, I suggested we create the weird through mission moment preparedness at Board meetings. Mission moment preparedness is all about empowering Board members’ understanding of, engaging in and helping them share the mission – anytime, anywhere, with anyone. The idea is to create and practice scenarios where Board members can get comfortable sharing your mission. I hope we agree mission moments should be a part of every Board meeting – if not you can save some time and stop reading now. 🙂
Continue Reading January 6, 2014 at 10:13 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
Nonprofit Board Engagement
Let’s not complicate our work with nonprofit Board members – they can be our best advocates, fundraisers and major donors. Let’s treat them well!
Continue Reading December 18, 2012 at 11:03 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
Nonprofit Board Mantra(s)
Nonprofit Board members are our allies.
Let’s treat nonprofit Board members like we treat our best, major donors.
Their sphere of influence will help us raise more money.
They don’t know what they don’t know.
No more “bobble head” Board meetings!
December 14, 2012 at 10:50 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
Nonprofit Sacred Spaces and Technology
In the last few years technology has impacted our engagement with our leaders. We are emailing Board members instead of calling them. We send information, Board minutes, agendas, updates electronically. Some nonprofits have established intranets for their Board members to give them access to information any time they want. Question is: Is this helpful to deepening our engagement with these important advisors, donors, leaders and communicating effectively?
Continue Reading September 20, 2011 at 9:45 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE 1 comment
Recruiting Nonprofit Board Members to Fundraise – Q&A Continued
Continuing the questions and answers from the Pursuant Ketchum webcast Creating a Fundraising Board: Recruitment, Engagement and Fundraising. This post focuses on fundraising expectations from the nonprofit Board.
Continue Reading September 8, 2011 at 9:45 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
Talisman Philanthropy 
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