Volunteer and Board Fundraising Management Flashcards

Which governance principle is most directly related to a board's fundraising responsibility?

Answer: Fiduciary responsibility, which includes ensuring the organization has the financial resources needed to fulfill its mission

The board's fiduciary responsibility includes ensuring financial health, which means actively supporting resource development — including fundraising — to sustain the mission.

How should a development officer handle a board member who consistently fails to meet their give/get commitment?

Answer: Have a private, supportive conversation to understand barriers and find a meaningful role that better matches their capacity

Addressing underperformance requires a respectful private conversation to understand obstacles, adjust expectations, or identify a better-suited role — preserving the relationship while maintaining accountability.

What is 'board engagement' beyond financial giving?

Answer: Board members actively participating in advocacy, stewardship, cultivation events, and volunteer recruitment in support of fundraising goals

Board engagement encompasses all the ways members contribute to resource development beyond writing a check, including opening doors, hosting events, stewarding donors, and advocating for the mission.

Which of the following is a warning sign that a board may be disengaged from fundraising?

Answer: Less than 100% board participation in personal giving, no board member involvement in cultivation, and passive meeting attendance

Low personal giving rates, absence from cultivation activities, and passive meeting attendance are classic indicators that the board is not genuinely engaged in its fundraising responsibilities.

What is the role of staff in supporting board members' fundraising effectiveness?

Answer: Staff should prepare briefings, talking points, and logistics support to make board members' donor interactions as effective as possible

Development staff enable board members to be effective fundraisers by providing research, briefings, talking points, and logistical support that makes their donor conversations well-informed and impactful.

What distinguishes a 'development committee' from the full board in fundraising governance?

Answer: The development committee focuses specifically on fundraising strategy, oversight of the development program, and volunteer leadership recruitment

A development committee is a board subcommittee focused on fundraising strategy, development program oversight, and recruiting volunteer leaders — not on general board governance matters.