How to Turn Nonprofit Board Members Into Your Best Mission Ambassadors
You wouldn’t expect new staff members or volunteers to jump in feet first without training, guidance, and support so by extending the same courtesy to your board of directors, you set them up for success to support the organization’s misison.
You have more in common with your board of directors than you think. You all share a passion for your community and a desire to make a difference in the lives of the people, animals, or environments you serve.
But just like all new volunteers need to know how to communicate and carry out your services, so does your board. After all, board members aren’t shareholders, but they’re not — or shouldn’t be — silent, just-attend-the-meetings partners either.
Your board of directors is the overarching authority that sets the tone and direction of the organization. But their role is to act in ownership. They’re not just responsible for steering the organization, providing support to maintain compliance, sharing their expertise, and ensuring you use grants and donations properly. They also play a key role in raising those funds.
All board members have an active stake in nonprofit success, even if they don’t know it. It’s up to you to enable your board to be effective fundraisers, advocates, and ambassadors. Let’s explore what that means, how to enable your board, and why it matters.
What is board enablement?
Board enablement is the process of helping your nonprofit’s board of directors feel empowered to play an active role in fundraising and growing the organization. One of the best ways to promote board enablement is to help members understand their role in the organization by setting clear expectations and responsibilities.
In some cases, it looks like helping members understand the organization’s history and mission. But it’s most effective when each member has the tools, training, and resources they need to execute their roles.
4 tips to enable your nonprofit board of directors
1. Train, train, train
In a way, your board members are your best volunteers and mission advocates. And if you wouldn’t put your best people in the field without training, don’t do it to your board of directors or trustees.
Onboard new board members the same way you would a new volunteer or employee. They should know the organization’s mission, values, and services by heart. Sharing impact stories and anecdotes about the organization’s founding, most successful events, or people served can make board members feel more connected to the mission.
From there, tailor your board member onboarding packet to their needs and include the following:
Bios and accomplishments for each senior staff member
A list of major or repeat donors, partners, and vendors
A clear definition of their role and responsibilities
Copies of your organization’s governance practices and policies
Your organization’s HR manual or employee handbook
Progress reports and projections for the current month or quarter
Your events or milestone calendar
Finally, train your board of directors on the ins and outs of fundraising for your organization. This plays strongly into how well you educate on your mission and values. But it can also include resources on how to best communicate those things to potential donors in person and writing.
2. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations
It’s not uncommon for board members to contribute to nonprofit operations. If that’s the case, make sure each board member knows their role and responsibilities—and their limitations.
Documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) can help trustees and members understand what they’re taking on when they step into the role. SOPs and responsibilities may encompass all aspects of the organization. Or you can review and tailor them to new fundraising campaigns.
Remind your board of directors of their role in each new campaign. They need to know when it’s happening, your core message, ideal donors, goals, and how they can support you as spokespeople in the community and on social media.
3. Give them the tools and resources they need to succeed
Effective board enablement means giving each member access to the tools they need to succeed, just like any other volunteer or employee. Consider this an extension of their training or onboarding packet.
Tools and resources might include:
Previous board, fundraising, or organization reports
Strategic plans and quarterly reviews
Access to digital platforms and communication tools
Marketing and development materials (i.e., talking points, giving links, brochures, annual reports, etc.)
Finally, keep them engaged by sharing blogs like this! Board members should be educated on your expectations for them as much as their expectations for you.
4. Practice ongoing engagement through interaction
When your board members are engaged and understand their responsibilities, they will be your best mission advocates in any setting.
The best board of directors is the one that doesn't operate like a group of silent partners. Encourage your board to be as vocal and present in your community as the rest of your team.
Invite them to walk an event space or work your booth at fairs and fundraisers. Ask them to introduce themselves to community members and potential donors. Event and fundraiser attendees are more likely to recognize and respect your organization if they know they’re speaking to your top people.
But you don’t have to wait for an event to keep board members engaged. Every business meeting and professional or personal networking event they attend is an opportunity to cultivate donations and partnerships.
Working on an email outreach campaign? Invite board members to write a donation letter to add a personal touch. Let them tell the story of why they got involved and what donations mean for your cause.
A successful fundraising campaign doesn’t start when you say go. Get board members involved in the planning stage so that they can pitch and pre-solicit donors. That way, you can kick off your campaign with a win.
Finally, show your donors, community, and following how involved your board is in the mission by highlighting their contributions. Generate positive public relations by snapping photos of them working with volunteers or working at a booth, post them across your marketing channels, and acknowledge their efforts.
Keeping your board engaged and appreciating their work in a public space can make your organization feel more community-focused (likely your goal!) and less corporate.
Why board enablement is essential for your nonprofit
Your board of directors has the potential to be your best ambassadors. When you enable your board and keep them engaged in the organization, you put them in the best position to:
Nurture potential partnerships
Find new donors and encourage repeat donations
Serve as the organization’s highest representatives
Advocate and spread the word about your mission
Better govern and steer the organization
Work in tandem with leadership
Provide reputational support
Now, let’s consider what happens when you don’t practice board enablement. Imagine that you hired or brought on someone to run your nonprofit’s social media accounts but didn’t walk them through your expectations and their responsibilities.
Without that knowledge, they can’t do their best work, and the relationship might not be the best fit. The same applies to your board. Direction and guidance are a must so that each board member can act effectively for your nonprofit.
Enabling your board enables your success
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Board enablement or the process of keeping your nonprofit board of directors engaged and involved in the mission, can help.
Furthering your mission is an all-hand-on-deck endeavor. Getting your board members involved and excited about their roles means not having to do everything on your own and greater success for your nonprofit.
