{"id":584104,"date":"2016-03-09T13:37:04","date_gmt":"2016-03-09T18:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/?p=584104"},"modified":"2022-06-27T10:29:45","modified_gmt":"2022-06-27T14:29:45","slug":"no-board-development-committee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/no-board-development-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"No Board Development Committee? No Problem!"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

All too often in fundraising, there\u2019s the dream, and then there\u2019s reality.<\/p>\n

For example, every fundraiser dreams of a high functioning board development committee with enthusiastic co-chairs that make your job not just a breeze, but a pleasure<\/em>.<\/p>\n

You fantasize about a board development committee that \u201cgets it,\u201d acts as a collaborator, brings fundraising success to new heights, and just makes development so much more enjoyable. (OK, maybe this is just what I fantasize about?)<\/p>\n

But sometimes the reality of your board development situation is less than ideal and you have to play the cards you have right now while you build to something better<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Maybe your board is in transition, you had a well-functional development committee, but it\u2019s fallen off its game. This is the situation for one of our current clients.<\/p>\n

Or maybe you\u2019ve never had a development committee and you are struggling to bring one to life.<\/p>\n

Or perhaps your nonprofit is so new (or small) that you just don\u2019t have a development committee yet.<\/p>\n

WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’S NO BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Whatever the reason there are times when Executive Directors and Directors of Development must manage with no board\u00a0development committee. Or sometimes without even one single fundraising champion on the board.<\/p>\n

Without a plan, this can be a difficult experience. I\u2019ve been there. My organization was going through an extreme transition. The board had a ton on its plate and fundraising wasn\u2019t the top priority (I know\u2026 amazing!) And all this while planning a major gala.<\/p>\n

The key thing I learned? When a board development committee is distracted, the Director of Development can rely on what worked in the past.<\/p>\n

So here\u2019s my advice to Development Directors and other fundraisers who don’t have a board development committee to work with. It\u2019s a three-step approach that will help you raise more money (and improve your sanity!)<\/p>\n

STEP ONE: KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE GOAL<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

When a board doesn\u2019t have a development committee it doesn\u2019t mean the work stops, only that the Executive Director or Director of Development is forced to take it all on themselves.<\/p>\n

This can feel overwhelming, and the natural reaction is to focus entirely on the present and to do whatever you need to do to keep going.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve done that. And trust me, it\u2019s a mistake.<\/p>\n

Above all, keep your eye on your goal: building a fully functional board development committee.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This means you must:<\/p>\n