Does you board of directors give?
This all important topic that is so hard to broach.
First, lets start where it all starts…
Does your organization have board of directors expectations that you share with them even before they are elected?
Do you have them sign and commit to those expectations?
Do you evaluate them on those expectations?
I am certainly not an advocate for board giving at a certain amount. Let’s face it, a major gift differs from one person to the next and that is plain respect. However, what I do advocate for is 100% giving by all board members at a level that they are most comfortable giving, but, with the condition that it should reflect the organization’s position as one of their top philanthropic choices.
Board giving is critical not just because funders require it, but, for the pure fact that one cannot ask another without having made their own gift.
And, if your board as the fiduciary “trustee” of the organization does not make a gift, what does that say about their commitment to the mission.
Something else to think about?
Our board members are our closest constituent group. So when they do give, how do we treat them? Do we treat them as the important donors that they are?
That is another question for another blog!
