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I know what it feels like to carry the weight of your organization on your shoulders, feeling like you’re doing everything alone. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to. I’ll show you the tools, processes, and strategies to turn your board from a passive group of names into a powerhouse team that shows up, contributes, and helps your nonprofit thrive.Let’s talk about the challenge many nonprofit founders face: passive, disengaged board members. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. Your board doesn’t step up, doesn’t fundraise, doesn’t contribute the way you hoped. And it’s exhausting. Many board members join for the title, for the recognition, or simply to be part of a group, but they forget the responsibility that comes with the role.The truth is this: if your board isn’t actively engaged, your organization will struggle. You’ll struggle to raise money. You’ll struggle to grow programs. Your nonprofit may even stay stuck at the starting line. Board members aren’t staff, but in many ways, they are your first team. If they don’t put in the energy to build the organization, growth will be limited, and you’ll continue carrying the heavy load alone.But there’s a better way. The nonprofit world is collaborative. It’s a people’s world. You need people who are committed, capable, and ready to help you achieve your mission. That’s why I created a step-by-step approach to transform your board and get them fully engaged. Here’s how it works:Step 1: Board Reactivation The first step is to reactivate your board. Many organizations have members who have become passive over time. Some of these members still have value, they’re willing to contribute if guided properly. Others may have outgrown the role or no longer have the energy to contribute. Board reactivation is about identifying who is still willing and capable, letting go of those who aren’t, and refocusing on building a team that’s ready to show up.Step 2: Board Recruitment Once you’ve reactivated your current board, it’s time to fill the gaps. A powerhouse board needs the right mix of skills and expertise. During your board audit, you’ll identify what’s missing, maybe professional fundraising experience, marketing knowledge, or financial oversight. Then, you bring in the right people through a careful recruitment process: applications, interviews, onboarding, and yes, even background checks when needed. The goal is to create a team that complements one another and stays engaged for the long haul.Step 3: Strategic Planning Next, you get your board involved in strategic planning. People who plan together execute together. You guide them through shaping the organization’s programs, fundraising, marketing, and budgeting. This isn’t just about participation, it’s about creating ownership and accountability. When your board sees the bigger picture and understands what it takes to win, they’re more likely to step up and give their best.Step 4: Team Building Your board’s role isn’t to do all the work, it’s to provide leadership, oversight, and strategy. That means equipping them with teams to execute. For example, a board member responsible for fundraising shouldn’t be out there cold-calling alone; they need a team to implement their strategies. This approach ensures every area of the organization, marketing, partnerships, fundraising, has capable teams working alongside engaged board members.Step 5: Board Execution Finally, you move into execution. This is where your board, supported by their teams, starts producing results. You hold your board accountable, they hold their teams accountable, and together, the organization begins to thrive. Over time, as systems, staff, and processes are put in place, board members can focus on governance while the organization grows sustainably.Friend, this process works. It transforms passive boards into active, committed, and results-driven teams. It allows you to stop being the “chief everything officer” and start leading a team that’s actually building the organization with you. And the best part? Once your board is engaged and executing with you, fundraising becomes more effective, programs expand, and your mission reaches more people than ever before.If you’ve been struggling with disengaged board members, I want you to take action today. Don’t continue doing everything alone. Learn the exact step-by-step process I’ve used to transform boards and help nonprofit founders like you raise money sustainably.<a data-mce-href="https://idealfunders.com/transform-your-board" href="https://idealfunders.com/transform-your-board" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Click here to transform your board and start building the organization your mission deserves.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

Transform Your Board, Transform Your Nonprofit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Powerhouse Team

Let’s be honest with each other for a moment.You’re doing incredible work. The kind of work that changes lives, shifts communities, and leaves footprints that matter. But even with all that impact, raising money still feels like a constant uphill battle, doesn’t it?You’re not alone. Over 70% of nonprofits in the U.S. are struggling financially. Think about that: out of 2 million nonprofits, more than 1.4 million are struggling to raise money consistently. That means founders like you are pouring their hearts into their mission but still going to bed at night wondering how to keep the doors open.And the truth is, it’s not because your mission isn’t powerful. It’s not because people don’t care. It’s because most nonprofits are operating without a fundraising system.Instead, founders are chasing random donors, hopping from one strategy to another, sending “please donate” messages, or writing grant after grant with little to no return. It’s exhausting. It feels like gambling. And it’s unsustainable.The solution? You need a system. A process that brings in money predictably and consistently, not just once, not just by luck, but over and over again.That’s why I want to walk you through the five steps to building a fundraising system that guarantees your nonprofit’s financial sustainability. Follow these steps, and you’ll never look at fundraising the same way again.&nbsp; &nbsp; Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Funders Not everyone is meant to fund your mission. And the more time you spend chasing people who aren’t aligned, the more you’ll feel like you’re begging instead of building.Your ideal funders are people and organizations who already have a reason to care about your mission. They have the propensity (interest in your cause), the affinity (alignment with your mission), and the capacity (resources to give).These funders fall into categories, people who benefit directly from your mission, people who look good by associating with your cause, organizations already invested in solving the problem you address, and more.When you focus on your ideal funders, you stop explaining endlessly, stop begging, and start connecting with people who want to give. That’s when fundraising becomes easier, more natural, and far more effective.&nbsp; &nbsp; Step 2: Create Irresistible Offers Here’s the harsh truth: “Donate Now” buttons and emotional appeals aren’t enough anymore. Donors want to see impact, and they want to know what’s in it for them.That’s where offers come in. Yes, even nonprofits can create offers and they can be just as irresistible as any business offer.There are two main types:<ol><li>Value Offers: These give people something useful while also funding your mission. Example: A STEM nonprofit selling a $15 resource that helps parents guide their kids into better career choices. Every purchase funds the mission and creates direct value for families. </li><li>Impact Offers: These are tied to specific, tangible transformations. Example: $100 provides a child with a backpack and resources for a successful school year. </li></ol>When you combine a value offer with an impact offer, you create something truly irresistible. Imagine saying: “When you buy our career guide for your child, you also empower another child with a backpack and school supplies for a successful year.” That’s a win-win that makes donors excited to give.&nbsp; &nbsp; Step 3: Develop Your Fundraising Plan Wandering from strategy to strategy will keep you stuck. What you need is a step-by-step plan that guides your fundraising efforts and builds momentum.Think of it as a roadmap. For example:<ul><li>Start with awareness — let potential funders know you exist. </li><li>Move to relationship building — ask for advice, not money. </li><li>Transition to partnership — acknowledge their input and invite them into your work.</li><li>Then make the ask — clearly, confidently, and at the right time.</li></ul>Without this kind of plan, you’ll keep spinning your wheels. With it, you’ll create consistency and results.&nbsp; &nbsp; Step 4: Build and Equip Your Fundraising Team Let me be real with you: you can’t do this alone. Fundraising is not a one-person show.You need a team, even if it’s just one or two people to start. Someone to handle emails, someone to work on grants, while you focus on one-on-one relationships with funders.And don’t forget your board. Your board should:<ul><li>Expose your nonprofit to their networks. </li><li>Make introductions. </li><li>Fundraise directly (if able). </li><li>Steward donors by thanking, checking in, and strengthening relationships. </li></ul>When your team and your board are activated, you stop carrying the entire weight of fundraising on your shoulders.&nbsp; &nbsp; Step 5: Launch (and Relaunch) Your Fundraising Campaigns This is where your plan comes to life. Launching a campaign isn’t about one email blast or one event, it’s about consistent execution and follow-up.<ul><li>For prospects who don’t give right away: follow up with stories, stats, and impact. Keep building the relationship. </li><li>For donors who already gave: steward them. Thank them, show the results of their gift, and invite them to give again. </li></ul>Consistency is key. Campaigns aren’t one-time events; they are cycles of outreach, follow-up, and stewardship. Done right, they keep your nonprofit funded year after year.&nbsp; &nbsp; Final Thoughts for You, Founder If you’ve been struggling, it’s not because you’re not good enough. It’s not because your mission isn’t worthy. It’s simply because you’ve been trying to raise money without a system.The five steps, identify your ideal funders, create irresistible offers, develop a plan, build your team, and launch consistently, give you that system. A system that brings in money predictably, sustainably, and without the endless stress.Your mission is too important to leave to chance. You don’t have to beg, scramble, or gamble anymore. You can build a system. And when you do, fundraising becomes less about survival and more about growth.Founder to founder, I want you to know this: You can do this. Your mission deserves it. And the world needs what you’re building.If you are ready to raise money, i have put together a process to get you started. You can learn more here: <a data-mce-href="https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers" href="https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers">https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers﻿</a>

The Five Steps to Building a Fundraising System That Guarantees Your Nonprofit’s Financial Sustainability

If you’re still sending out donation appeals without a clear offer, you’re actually doing it wrong. I need you to hear this, because it could be the one thing standing between your nonprofit and true financial sustainability.Gone are the days when people gave just because you told an emotional story or asked them to be generous. Gone are the days when words like donate now could carry the weight of your fundraising campaign. The landscape has shifted.Today, donors ask one simple question before they give: “What’s in it for me?”And if that question isn’t answered, they’ll scroll past your appeal or click away from your page.Now, don’t misunderstand me. People still care about impact. They still care about your mission. But in this age, they give for only two reasons:<ol><li>They get something in return. That doesn’t always mean a physical gift. It could be recognition, access, influence, or even just the satisfaction of knowing they’re part of something bigger. </li><li>They see the clear transformation their gift creates. They want to know that their single donation, regardless of its size, is making a meaningful impact. </li></ol>That’s it. Those are the two reasons.And this is where most nonprofits fall short. Too many organizations are still leaning on emotional appeals, hoping generosity alone will do the work. Too many are sending out vague calls to action like donate today, without showing donors the value they receive or the transformation they’re making possible.But here’s the good news: when you shift your focus to creating a strong offer, everything changes.An offer is not the same thing as an ask. An ask says, “Please give.” An offer says, “Here’s what happens when you give, for you, and for the people we serve.”See the difference?When you create a strong offer, donors don’t need to be convinced. You don’t have to over-explain. You don’t have to beg. The offer itself attracts them, because it’s irresistible.And this is the difference between fundraising that barely scrapes by and fundraising that builds long-term financial sustainability.So, I want you to do this: stop sending generic appeals. Stop banking on generosity. Start building strong offers. Offers that help your donors see both what they gain by giving and the transformation their single gift can create.Because here’s the truth: once you nail your offer, donors will find you. Funders will seek you out. Why? Because you’re showing them exactly what they’re looking for: value, clarity, and transformation.That’s the game changer. That’s how you stop struggling and start building a nonprofit that thrives.If you are ready to start raising money consistently, here's where to start: <a data-mce-href="https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers" href="https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers">https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers</a>

Why Your Donation Appeals Aren’t Working And What To Do Instead

Why have so many founders and business leaders fallen into this culture of dependency? Why do they feel like they have to wait for some consultant, some expert, or some miracle before they can actually get things done?The truth is, it wasn’t always like this. When someone starts a nonprofit organization, or when someone starts a business, they are ready to put in the work. They are ready to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, whether it’s raising money, selling their products, or scaling their organization. But somewhere along the way, the world we’ve built has completely shifted.Today, people want fast results. That’s understandable. Who doesn’t want things to happen quickly? But in the rush to get fast results, too many founders, business leaders, and nonprofit executives are short-changing themselves.Here’s why: when you rely too much on professionals to “get it done,” you miss the opportunity to build the capacity, the muscle, you need to not just create results, but sustain them. And what’s worse, we’ve now created a culture where consultants almost thrive on this dependency. The more founders feel they can’t do it themselves, the more they reach out, and the more consultants can make it seem complicated, so that they can sell their services.Let me give you an example. I was working with a founder who needed to develop his fundraising systems and file for his 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. I told him from the start: “You are going to do this yourself. I will guide you, but I’m not going to do it for you.”At first, he didn’t have the confidence to follow the process himself. So we ended up bringing in a professional to help him. There was a lot of back and forth, and it was frustrating for him. But eventually, he realized something important: he could do it himself. The process had been set up for him all along, but he just hadn’t believed it.The moment he realized he had the capability all along was exactly when we started having a real discussion about the culture of dependency. He saw how much of it is built into the system, how consultants sometimes make things sound harder than they are, and how founders fall into the trap of waiting for someone else to act.Here’s the lesson for any founder, nonprofit executive, or business leader: Whatever you are trying to achieve, whether it’s transforming your board, raising money, building fundraising systems, or scaling your business, you don’t have to depend on anyone else. You need knowledge. You need tools. But you don’t need dependency.Even if you bring someone in to help, the key is this: let them build the system for you, don’t let them do it for you. That’s how you grow. That’s how you build the muscle. That’s how you create results that last.So stop waiting on someone else. Stop giving away your power. Take the steps yourself, and trust that you’re capable of more than you think.

The Culture of Dependency That’s Holding Founders Back

If you’ve ever wondered why your nonprofit keeps struggling to raise money, even when your programs are impactful, the problem may not be your mission at all.The real challenge lies in how you’re asking.There are three major reasons most nonprofits stay stuck:Banking on emotional appeals. You’re hoping a heartfelt story alone will convince people to give. Using generic calls to action. “Donate now” or “Support us today” isn’t enough anymore. Relying on generosity alone. You assume that people will give because they’re kind or charitable. The truth? That old playbook doesn’t work anymore. The Fundraising Landscape Has Changed Donors and funders today are asking new questions:“What’s in it for me?” “How will my money create maximum impact?” They want to see clear, measurable outcomes for their investment, not vague promises.This shift is why so many nonprofits with amazing programs still struggle to raise sustainable revenue.The solution? Stop depending on emotional appeals and start creating offers. Yes, Nonprofits Can and Should Create Offers When we talk about an offer in the nonprofit world, we mean designing a tangible, specific transformation for a set amount of money.A strong nonprofit fundraising offer does two things:<ul><li>It gives donors/funders a clear, maximized transformation for a fixed price. </li><li>It provides them some form of value or magnified impact in return. This is what makes giving irresistible.</li></ul> What a Great Offer Looks Like Here’s a simple example:The Old Way: “Donate $100 to help kids get back to school.” The New Way: “For $100, you provide a backpack for one student AND empower a parent with our 15-step guide to help their child make better career choices.” See the difference?The second option creates a double transformation. A child gets a backpack. A parent gets a resource that improves their child’s future.It’s no longer just about charity, it’s about value and impact. More Examples of Offers That Work<ul><li>A grantor funds 100 backpacks for kids and empowers 1,000 parents with a reading skills guide. </li><li>A donor sponsors 10 therapy sessions for low-income clients and gets access to a stress-management workshop for their own family. </li><li>A supporter buys a resource that helps their child choose better careers and funds a backpack for a child in need. </li><li>Every dollar now carries double weight. This is what I call a Double-Impact Fundraising Offer™.</li></ul> Why This Changes Everything When you shift from “please donate” to offering value-driven, impact-magnifying opportunities, everything changes:You attract the right supporters who want transformation, not just a tax write-off. You stop begging and start presenting irresistible partnerships. You scale revenue sustainably because your offers can grow with your programs. This is the future of fundraising.Not emotional begging. Not generic calls to action. But offers that donors and funders can’t say no to. If you’re tired of chasing donations that don’t come through If you’re ready to fund your programs without burning out If you want to create offers that multiply impact and revenue Then it’s time to rethink the way you FUNDRAISE.Ready to transform your fundraising. <a data-mce-href="https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers" href="https://idealfunders.com/creating-offers">Learn how to build a Double-Impact Fundraising Offer for your nonprofit here &gt;&gt;﻿</a>

Why Your Nonprofit Struggles to Raise Money (Even With Great Programs)

One of the biggest challenges nonprofit leaders face is getting their board members to actually support fundraising. And it’s not always because they don’t want to, it’s usually because of how things started or how expectations were set.Let’s look at some of the common reasons board members don’t step up: 1. You recruited friends and family Many founders start out by bringing in friends and family as board members. The problem is, you can’t hold them accountable in the same way you could with people outside of your inner circle. They often feel like they’ve done you a favor just by joining, so stepping up with responsibility doesn’t always happen.2. They see the role as a title, not a responsibility Too many board members view being on a board as just a badge of honor. They love the title, but not the responsibility that comes with it. For them to support fundraising, that mindset has to shift.3. They’re given unrealistic fundraising targets Some organizations treat board members like sales reps, assigning them yearly fundraising quotas. I believe that approach is wrong. It puts unnecessary pressure on people who aren’t professional fundraisers and doesn’t lead to sustainable results.4. They don’t know how to help Board members aren’t usually trained fundraisers. Without clear guidance, they simply don’t know how to contribute.5. They haven’t been equipped Even when they want to help, many boards lack the scripts, tools, and resources to confidently raise money or make introductions. So how do you actually get them to raise money? 1. Plan with them In community development, we say: people who plan together, act together. When board members are involved in planning, they see the resources and effort it takes to achieve the mission. Without that understanding, they will almost always undervalue fundraising.2. Help them map their networks Board members aren’t supposed to be knocking on random doors. Their role is to help open their doors. Start by identifying your organization’s ideal funders, maybe that’s real estate agents, companies, or local businesses. Then ask each board member: Who do you know in this category? That’s how they map their network in a way that’s actually useful.3. Equip them with scripts and tools Once their network is mapped, give them the resources they need to take action. Some will be comfortable making the ask themselves, while others may prefer making introductions. Both are valuable.4. Involve them in stewardship Board members can also support fundraising by stewarding donors, making calls, saying thank you, and ensuring donors feel recognized. That personal touch keeps supporters engaged and giving. Final Thoughts Getting your board involved in fundraising isn’t about forcing quotas or unrealistic expectations. It’s about planning with them, helping them see their role in the bigger picture, and equipping them with the tools to act. When that happens, your board moves from being passive seat warmers to true partners in advancing your mission.Struggling To Raise Money? <a data-mce-href="https://idealfunders.com/raise-money-consistently" href="https://idealfunders.com/raise-money-consistently" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">&lt;&lt; Here is how to raise money consistently &gt;&gt;</a>

The Nonprofit Strategist

Blog

Transform Your Board, Transform Your Nonprofit: A Step-by...

The Five Steps to Building a Fundraising System That Guar...

Why Your Donation Appeals Aren’t Working And What To Do I...

The Culture of Dependency That’s Holding Founders Back

Why Your Nonprofit Struggles to Raise Money (Even With Gr...

How to Get Your Board Members to Support Fundraising