Enlisting Help
Who can help?
In this lesson, you’ll discover how to harness the unique strengths of your volunteers, board members, and staff to amplify your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts. By empowering each group to contribute through storytelling, public speaking, and engagement, you’ll build a more effective, scalable, and sustainable fundraising strategy.
By the end, you’ll have practical tips for training, engaging, and building confidence within each group to strengthen your organization’s message and mission. Don’t forget to complete the exercise at the end of the lesson to implement what you’ve learned.
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Volunteers: Your Community Champions
An extension of the community, serving as passionate ambassadors with unique motivations. Whether mission-driven, socializing, or fulfilling credits, each helps spread your fundraising message. Tailor their roles: inspire mission-driven volunteers to share stories, provide public speaking opportunities to social volunteers, and offer skill-building to those fulfilling requirements. Understanding their motivations is key to maximizing their impact on your nonprofit's success.
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Board Members: Strategic Fundraisers
Critical for resource development, serving as visionary leaders who oversee policy and operations. To help this group succeed in fundraising efforts, provide training during the onboarding process, encourage networking with local businesses and corporations, and provide ongoing mentorship opportunities. Ensure this group has all of the tools, knowledge, and confidence to grow your fundraising efforts.
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Staff Members: Supporting the Mission
Similar to board members, serving as powerful allies who spread your nonprofit's message and generate support. Start by assessing their current knowledge and skills related to fundraising, then develop a contingent training program to build their confidence. Also, increase their visibility throughout the organization and within the community through events and public speaking engagements.
Exercise
Now, let’s put everything you’ve learned into practice. Think about the volunteers, board members, and staff in your organization. As you go through the worksheet, you’ll identify top supporters from each group and their motivations, and plan an action for each group. This will help set you up for success for your next fundraising campaign!