CFRE Volunteer and Board Fundraising Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the MOST important role of a board member in fundraising?
- Managing the day-to-day operations of the development office
- Making a personal gift and opening doors by introducing the organization to their networks (Correct answer)
- Writing grant proposals on behalf of the organization
- Approving all donor acknowledgment letters
Correct answer: Making a personal gift and opening doors by introducing the organization to their networks
Board members' most critical fundraising roles are making their own meaningful gift (100% board participation) and leveraging their networks to cultivate and introduce major prospects.
Question 2: What is '100% board giving' and why is it important?
- Every board member must give the same dollar amount
- Every board member makes a personal financial contribution, regardless of size, demonstrating commitment to the organization (Correct answer)
- Board members collectively raise 100% of the annual budget
- 100% of board meetings must include a fundraising agenda item
Correct answer: Every board member makes a personal financial contribution, regardless of size, demonstrating commitment to the organization
100% board giving means all board members contribute personally, which signals organizational credibility and is often required by foundations and major donors as a prerequisite for their own gifts.
Question 3: When training board members for fundraising, the MOST effective approach is:
- Providing a written script for every donor conversation
- Teaching board members to share personal stories about why the mission matters to them (Correct answer)
- Requiring board members to make cold calls to prospect lists
- Limiting board fundraising involvement to signing letters
Correct answer: Teaching board members to share personal stories about why the mission matters to them
Board members are most effective when they can authentically share their personal connection to the mission, making conversations natural and compelling rather than scripted.
Question 4: A 'board fundraising matrix' or 'give/get policy' typically outlines:
- The board's investment portfolio allocation
- Each board member's personal giving expectation and/or the amount they are expected to help raise (Correct answer)
- The organization's grant deadline calendar
- How often board members must attend donor events
Correct answer: Each board member's personal giving expectation and/or the amount they are expected to help raise
A give/get policy clarifies financial expectations for board membership, specifying a personal contribution minimum and/or a fundraising goal that each member should help meet.
Question 5: Which of the following describes the role of a 'volunteer fundraising committee'?
- To replace paid development staff
- To assist with peer-to-peer solicitations, cultivation events, and opening doors to new donor prospects (Correct answer)
- To handle day-to-day administrative functions
- To approve the organization's annual budget
Correct answer: To assist with peer-to-peer solicitations, cultivation events, and opening doors to new donor prospects
A volunteer fundraising committee extends the reach of the development office by engaging community leaders in peer solicitation, event hosting, and prospect introductions.
Question 6: What is the primary challenge in managing volunteer fundraisers?
- Volunteers cost too much to train
- Volunteers are unaccountable for results and require motivation, clear expectations, and structured support without the authority structure of employment (Correct answer)
- Volunteers must be paid a commission for every gift they secure
- Volunteers must be licensed by the state to solicit funds
Correct answer: Volunteers are unaccountable for results and require motivation, clear expectations, and structured support without the authority structure of employment
Unlike paid staff, volunteers cannot be required to perform tasks, so managing them effectively requires motivating engagement, setting clear expectations, and providing support without supervisory authority.
CFRE Volunteer and Board Fundraising Management 1
Which of the following is the MOST important role of a board member in fundraising?