05/01/2023
Such a great conversation with the Breakfast Club of Nashville members last week when my colleague, Christy Passmore, and I enjoyed the opportunity to talk about "Building Bold Boards", something we're really passionate about. Best of all, we were introduced by our former Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vision Philanthropy Group colleague, Jane Ferrell. Not surprisingly, a majority of the very talented women attending were affiliated with a non-profit board of some type. According to a 2019 survey by the Council for Non-Profit Organizations, 64 million people serve on boards or as volunteers! The impact of these dedicated and committed individuals on all facets of our society is profound. Yet, two-thirds of CEOs and Board Chairs surveyed confess that their board members struggle as effective fundraising partners. As our non-profit community and organizations continue to face the challenges posed by economic uncertainty and the continued impact of the great resignation, we need more than ever for our boards to be confident, comfortable, and well-equipped partners in the fundraising enterprise, especially in major and transformational giving. This requires that organizations are committed to a culture of philanthropy that prioritizes best practices throughout our organizations and that boards, non-profit professionals, and fundraisers lean into Big Vision, understand the psychology of giving, and embrace the tools that build meaningful connections and relationships for transformational giving. That's all about "Building Bold Boards" and the leaders and staff who are their partners.... uniquely equipping them with those tools and education is the mission we're on! (Photo credit: Elizabeth Cotton Walls)
