Connecting Board members to their “Why”

Connecting Board members to their “Why”

Engaging board members as fundraisers starts by connecting them to their "why"—the personal reasons they are passionate about your organization and its mission. Simon Sinek’s TED Talk on starting with “why” shows the power of purpose in inspiring action. When board members reflect on their connection to your cause, it prepares them to tell authentic stories, a powerful tool in fundraising. These personal stories resonate with potential donors more deeply than facts alone. Take five minutes at your next board meeting to ask members to reflect on:

• Why are they a board member?

• What inspires them about the organization?

• Can they share an example of the mission in action or a moment that demonstrates impact?

Encouraging board members to reflect on these questions grounds them in their "why," transforming them from passive supporters into passionate advocates.

Helping Board Members Share Their "Why"

The next step is building board members’ confidence to share their stories and connect others to the mission. Can they communicate your organization’s mission with energy and persuasion? If not, consider role-playing exercises or one-on-one practice with staff.

• This can be in the form of a 60-second “Elevator pitch”. 

• This can be a story or anecdote about the lived experience of someone positively impacted by the mission.

• If they do not have a direct connection to the mission, e.g. heart disease, how can they speak to the impact of the work of the organization, i.e. living a healthy lifestyle and teaching their family about the importance of eating a balanced diet to live a quality life? 

At the end of the day, fundraising should be fun. Encourage Board members to talk about their Why and what they love about your organization.