In this blog, you will learn how to:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/strong> These strategies aren\u2019t just for large nonprofits. If you\u2019re a small team\u2014or don\u2019t have a formal development director<\/a>\u2014this guide will help you engage your board effectively at any size.<\/p>\n By equipping your board members with the right tools, strategies, and confidence, you can turn them into powerful fundraising partners. Here\u2019s how to get started:<\/p>\n Setting clear and achievable expectations is the first step in mobilizing your board to fundraise. <\/strong>Many board members join without fully understanding their role in supporting financial goals. Being transparent helps create shared ownership of fundraising success.<\/p>\n Consider the following ways to help clarify expectations:<\/p>\n When board members understand what\u2019s expected, they feel more empowered and motivated to participate in fundraising.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Even if board members aren\u2019t directly soliciting donations, equipping them with the right tools ensures they can support your development efforts effectively and confidently.<\/p>\n DonorPerfect\u2019s core features and integrations<\/a> allow nonprofits to track fundraising efforts, access donor insights, and personalize outreach\u2014all from one platform.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Regular reporting keeps board members informed and motivated. It helps them see their impact and make data-driven decisions. <\/p>\n Use these reports to drive board engagement: <\/p>\n Structured, transparent reporting turns fundraising from an abstract concept into a measurable, motivating experience for your board.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Major gifts are essential for your nonprofit\u2019s long-term sustainability, and board members can play an instrumental role in identifying, cultivating, and securing these transformative contributions<\/a>. The process begins by working with your board to set clear, strategic goals based on your organization\u2019s mission and fundraising potential\u2014not just your budget shortfall<\/a>.<\/p>\n Collaborate with your board to:<\/p>\n By involving your board in the major gift goal-setting process<\/a>, you not only tap into their networks, but also foster shared accountability and alignment toward mission-driven outcomes.<\/p>\n DonorPerfect\u2019s fundraising dashboards<\/a> can help you track major gift progress, donor retention, and board engagement\u2014delivering actionable insights to drive smarter decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Once your goals are established, use donor data to drive your strategy and fundraising management software<\/a> to analyze past giving behavior, identify patterns, and highlight prospects with the greatest potential for impact.<\/p>\n Encourage your board to review donor profiles and determine who in their networks could be a promising lead. Support them with donor insights, giving histories, and engagement activity summaries to facilitate stronger conversations and cultivation efforts.<\/p>\n With DP Mobile<\/a>, a free fundraising app that offers convenient reports and concise donor profiles, board members can engage with donors from their phones.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Visual tools like gift tables (or gift pyramids) can help you assess prospect coverage and gift distribution.<\/strong><\/p>\n For example, if your major gift goal is $1 million:<\/p>\n If a donor declines at one level, they may still contribute at a lower level, keeping your momentum strong.<\/p>\n If you are looking to develop a new program to secure large gifts, check out our video, How to Create a Major Gifts Program and Find Major Donors<\/a>.<\/p>\n For further strategies on identifying and targeting major donors, explore these resources:<\/p>\n Major gift fundraising is not just about the ask<\/a>\u2014it\u2019s about building meaningful relationships. Work with your board to create personalized plans for each major donor prospect.<\/p>\n Effective strategies include:<\/p>\n When board members are involved in relationship-building, they feel more connected to the mission and the fundraising process.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Your board members bring unique networks and influence to the table. They don\u2019t have to be expert fundraisers to make a major impact. <\/p>\n Guide board participation in the major gift process through:<\/p>\n Every DonorPerfect plan comes with fundraising tools<\/a> to manage donor contacts, communicate with constituents, and cultivate major donor relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Not all board members have fundraising experience, and that\u2019s okay! A little training goes a long way toward building their confidence, fundraising abilities, and comfort level.<\/p>\n Support their development with:<\/p>\n DonorPerfect has your team covered with nonprofit CRM training<\/a>. From live webinars to personalized training, we\u2019re here to support staff and board development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Events and fundraising campaigns are excellent opportunities for board members to engage their networks and raise awareness about your mission. Invite board members to:<\/p>\n When board members see fundraising as community building rather than solicitation, they\u2019re more likely to get involved.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Recognition and celebration are key to building a positive fundraising culture. Board members who feel appreciated are more likely to stay engaged.<\/p>\n Try these approaches:<\/p>\n Simple gestures of appreciation go a long way in strengthening board morale and fundraising momentum.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n An engaged board leads to stronger fundraising outcomes. Keep your board inspired and aligned with your fundraising goals through consistent communication and meaningful involvement.<\/p>\n Maintain engagement by: <\/p>\n With the right expectations, tools, training, and recognition, your board can become a high-impact fundraising force. Encourage board members to embrace their roles as fundraisers and watch your organization thrive.<\/p>\n To strengthen your board\u2019s fundraising potential, regularly discuss topics such as donor management, gift tracking, strategic engagement, and the tools that support these efforts.<\/p>\n For continued learning, check out Joan Gary’s 10 Nonprofit Leadership Tips for 2025<\/a> to explore more ways you and your team can grow professionally while leveraging board involvement.<\/p>\n\n
1. Set clear fundraising expectations for board members<\/h2>\n
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2. Equip your board with nonprofit fundraising tools and technology<\/h2>\n
Essential nonprofit board fundraising tools: <\/h3>\n
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![\"DonorPerfect](\"https:\/\/uploads.donorperfect.com\/images\/sites\/2\/broker-listings-mobilereport-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n3. Use donor reports to engage and motivate your board<\/h2>\n
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4. Set major gift fundraising goals with your board members<\/h2>\n
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![\"DonorPerfect](\"https:\/\/uploads.donorperfect.com\/images\/sites\/2\/dashboard-mockup.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nUse donor data to guide major gift strategies<\/h3>\n
![\"DonorPerfect](\"https:\/\/uploads.donorperfect.com\/images\/sites\/2\/mobile-donor-profile-blue-bg.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSample Major Gift Goal: $1 Million<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"major](\"https:\/\/uploads.donorperfect.com\/images\/sites\/4\/20170526151253\/sample-major-gift-goal-table.png\")
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5. Build personalized cultivation plans for major gifts<\/h2>\n
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6. Encourage your board to support major donor engagement<\/h2>\n
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![\"scheduled](\"https:\/\/uploads.donorperfect.com\/images\/sites\/2\/scheduled-outreach.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n7. Offer board members hands-on fundraising training<\/h2>\n
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![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/uploads.donorperfect.com\/images\/sites\/2\/givecloud-guest-blog-image-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n8. Involve your board in fundraising events and campaigns<\/h2>\n
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9. Recognize and celebrate board fundraising achievements<\/h2>\n
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10. Deepen board engagement and long-term commitment<\/h2>\n
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Empower your board to make a lasting impact<\/h2>\n
Key takeaways for board fundraising success:<\/h3>\n
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