Strategies for Aligning Nonprofit Boards with Fundraising Goals

In the dynamic world of nonprofit fundraising, the relationship between a development team and its board of trustees can make or break an organization’s success. When a board aligns with its fundraising team, it’s possible to obtain the support needed to accomplish more. Here are some key insights and strategies worth exploring when it comes to board alignment.  

What It Feels Like When Boards Are Fully on Board with Fundraising Programs 

When a board is genuinely committed to fundraising, its members take an active leadership role rather than treating fundraising as a passive staff function. The key is finding champions within the board, such as development committee members or the board chair, who will collaborate with staff to create and drive fundraising strategies. 

At that point, fundraising becomes a shared leadership responsibility, not merely a staff task. When this happens naturally, it creates a more culturally unified and collaborative approach to generating resources for the organization. 

“When there’s no money, there’s no mission.”
— Calvin Moore, COO of Metrocrest Services 

Biggest Misconceptions That Boards Have About Fundraising 

Board members often mistakenly view fundraising as: 

• A quick fix or easy solution (like going viral on social media) 
• Something that can be solved with simple tactics 
• A one-time solution that requires no additional learning 

The reality is that board members join because they care about the mission, not because they’re fundraising experts. The onus is on the organization to provide education and onboarding to help board members feel comfortable contributing their expertise to fundraising efforts. 

When Boards Understand Balancing Short-Term ROI and Long-Term Donor Value 

Boards need to understand that fundraising is about more than immediate financial returns. This means: 

• Recognizing the value of engagement campaigns that may not yield immediate financial results 
• Focusing on developing donor relationships for long-term sustainability 
• Making strategic decisions that increase financial stability and programmatic impact 

"When we have gathered the executive committee together and we have gotten them on the same page... they became our advocates."

— Lisa Suprenand, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities® Tampa Bay 

How to Make the Case to Your Board About Acquisition Investment 

Some key strategies include: 

• Conduct a thorough gap analysis of where the organization is versus where it needs to be. 
• Approach the board strategically and politically. 
• Shift the board from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. 
• Provide education gradually, building “muscle memory” about fundraising concepts. 
• Use data and long-term projections to demonstrate potential returns. 

How to Effect Change When Your Board Heavily Prioritizes Fiscal Responsibility  

The most effective approach involves: 

• Defining exactly which data the board needs to see 
• Laying the groundwork over time, not just in a single meeting 
• Developing consistent reporting and metrics 
• Helping board members apply their professional expertise to fundraising decisions 
• Demonstrating how proposed investments can yield significant returns over time 

How Boards Should Evaluate Whether Fundraising Dollars Are Being Invested Wisely 

Boards should: 

• Avoid relying on a single metric 
• Combine financial ratios with mission-impact analysis 
• Review donor engagement trends 
• Regularly request and review comprehensive reports
• Ensure that fundraising efforts align with organizational goals and strategic KPIs 

“Fundraising is how you fuel impact.”
— Matt Monberg, SVP of Integrated Strategy and Insights at TrueSense Marketing 

How to Foster Board Confidence in Your Team’s Fundraising Strategies 

The most critical factor is relationships. A development team should: 

• Listen carefully to the concerns of its board 
• Approach conversations with curiosity and open-mindedness 
• Communicate in a way that bridges different perspectives 
• Demonstrate how fundraising strategies connect to the organization’s mission 

What Fundraisers Wish Boards Would Do 

When development professionals were asked about their most critical request for board support, a consistent theme emerged about cultivating a strategic, long-term perspective on fundraising. Many emphasized that boards need to move beyond a narrow, short-term financial lens to understand fundraising as an investment in mission impact, rather than a transactional cost center. They stressed the importance of boards viewing philanthropy as a collective responsibility that extends far beyond simple budget line items, recognizing that sustainable fundraising requires patience, strategic thinking, and a willingness to make investments that may not yield immediate returns. 

The core request centered around developing a more holistic understanding of donor development and organizational growth. Development teams want boards to embrace an abundance mindset that sees fundraising as a dynamic, relationship-driven process rather than a static financial transaction. This means being open to multi-year strategies, understanding the lifetime value of donors, and recognizing that acquisition and engagement efforts require consistent investment and nuanced evaluation.  

Want to dive deeper into these transformative insights? We invite you to watch the full, recent Quick Byte webinar Is Your Board on Board? Strengthening Fundraising Through Better Board Alignment that inspired this content. It’s available on demand, and in just 30 minutes, you’ll gain actionable strategies to align your board, optimize fundraising efforts, and drive meaningful mission impact.