Building the nonprofit board of your dreams is a team effort. It involves everyone in the organization, from the CEO and the board’s executive committee to every staff member and volunteer. The goal is not to create a board that reflects just one person’s vision but to build one that embodies the collective vision of the entire organization. This collaborative process is about more than just assembling a group of people; it’s about creating a team that can steer the nonprofit toward its goals with dedication and strategic insight.

Creating a top-notch board that not only aligns with but also propels your nonprofit’s mission forward requires more than assembling a group of skilled individuals. It demands a foundation rooted in proven management principles. The legendary management consultant Peter Drucker left us with a blueprint for excellence in organizational leadership that is especially relevant for nonprofit boards.

Core principles for board development

1. Understand that culture trumps strategy

Drucker famously argued, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” underscoring the overpowering influence of culture over any strategic plan. A thriving organizational culture fosters a sense of unity, resilience, and motivation among its members, which is essential for the long-term success of any nonprofit. Drucker emphasized the role of leadership in shaping this culture, advocating for a spirit of greatness that starts at the top. Drucker noted, “The spirit of an organization is created from the top.” So, leadership must model the values and behaviors they’d like to see throughout the organization, setting a standard that promotes a positive and productive culture.

“If an organization is great in spirit, it is because the spirit of its top people is great. If it decays, it does so because the top rots … No one should ever be appointed to a senior position unless top management is willing to have his or her character serve as a model for subordinates.”

— Peter Drucker

Action item: Cultivate a robust culture

According to Drucker, a solid organizational culture is the secret sauce to bringing strategic plans to life. Work actively to shape and improve your organization’s culture by embodying and promoting the values you want to see.

Inspiration

Harlem United: Community AIDS Center has been a beacon of hope since 1988, when it began dedicating itself to serving communities of color in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx during the AIDS epidemic. By fostering a client-driven culture and integrating client representation on their board of directors, they’ve consistently adapted to changing circumstances while always adhering to their core organizational values. Their innovative and flexible approaches to change exemplify their commitment to their mission.

2. Create partnership, not hierarchy

Rejecting the notion of a hierarchy where either the board or the executive team dominates, Drucker championed a collegial governance model. This model views the board and executive leadership as equal partners working collaboratively towards shared goals. “The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say ‘I,’” Drucker observed. “And that’s not because they have trained themselves not to say ‘I.’ They don’t think ‘I.’ They think ‘we:’ they think ‘team.’” According to Drucker, effective governance results from this teamwork, where roles and expectations are clear and aligned with the organization’s objectives.

Hear about how one CEO and board chair fixed their collaboration issues.

“Instead of focusing on abstract policy discussions, effective nonprofits must define the work each organ (board, committees, staff) is expected to perform and the results they should achieve.”

— Peter Drucker

Action item: Enhance board-executive collaboration

To maintain accountability and ensure the effectiveness of both board members and executives, schedule regular performance reviews well in advance. Here’s a selection of resources on the subject to help you evaluate.

Inspiration

The Institute for Ethical Leadership (IEL) at Rutgers University in New Jersey, co-founded in 2003 by James Abruzzo and Alex Plinio, began with a focus on teaching and research in business ethics, mainly supporting the nonprofit sector. Over time, IEL’s ethics and leadership programs have significantly influenced nonprofit leadership across New Jersey and beyond. They’ve developed executive leadership programs that follow Peter Drucker’s advice on fostering effective collaborations between boards and executives.

3. Evolve beyond policy: Guardians of mission and vision

Drucker said, “The board is not just about making policy; it is the guardian of the organization’s mission and vision. Board membership is a responsibility, not just a recognition by the community.”

Beyond its traditional role in policy-making, Drucker saw the board as the steward of the organization’s mission and vision. He advocated for empowering board members to take an active role in governance, emphasizing the need for decentralization. This approach involves delegating authority and encouraging board members to leverage their unique skills and perspectives to benefit the organization. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things,” Drucker pointed out, suggesting that effective board governance combines both strategic oversight and operational excellence. Here’s guidance for recruiting and selecting new board members.

“Over the boardroom door, there should be an inscription: Membership on this board is not power; it is responsibility.”

— Peter Drucker

Action item: Clarify the board’s role

Assign specific roles and tasks to board members based on their strengths and professional backgrounds. This will involve the CEO, Board Chair, and the Executive Committee working closely with a governance committee that takes its role seriously. The legendary Simone P. Joyaux offers a stellar Board Self-Assessment tool you can use.

Inspiration

The nonprofit, BoardSource, sets a high standard with its “Leading with Intent: Index of Nonprofit Board Practices.” This comprehensive index provides insights into who serves on nonprofit boards today, their roles and responsibilities, their impact on organizational performance, how they operate, and their overall effectiveness and organization. It stands out as an exceptional resource in our sector, offering valuable guidance for any nonprofit aiming to enhance its board’s effectiveness.

4. Set objectives that drive action: MbO

Drucker’s Management by Objectives framework (MbO) advocates setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives that align with the organization’s mission. This process starts with collectively setting goals and then delegating tasks according to individual strengths and capabilities. “What gets measured gets managed,” Drucker famously stated, underscoring the importance of concrete thought, clear objectives, and regular performance evaluation in driving organizational success.

“Time is the scarcest resource, and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed.”

— Peter Drucker

Action item: Establish clear goals

Conduct a workshop with your board to identify key objectives for the year using SMART criteria. Before the meeting, meet one-on-one with each board member to share a draft of the goals, gather initial feedback, and build a partnership approach.

Inspiration

Food For The Poor, an interdenominational Christian ministry in 17 Caribbean and Latin American countries, has delivered more than $15.7 billion in aid and fed millions. To boost its operations, fundraising, and marketing through better technology use, the organization partnered with Heller Consulting. The firm assessed Food For The Poor’s challenges, developed a future-focused technology strategy, and outlined a clear action plan for digital transformation. This effort has equipped the organization with a strategic roadmap and organizational support for their digital advancements.

5. Embrace knowledge as power

Drucker coined the term “knowledge worker” to highlight the role of continuous learning and data-informed decision-making in organizational success. In the context of a nonprofit board, this means fostering an environment that encourages board members to stay informed about industry best practices, emerging trends, and the organization’s unique challenges. “Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes¹,” Drucker warned, highlighting the need for a proactive approach to knowledge management and professional development within the board.

After 40 years in the nonprofit sector, I’ve observed that the professional development options offered to staff and board remain appallingly low. Nonprofit leaders must commit to better investing in staff and board training and continuing professional development.

“The most valuable asset of a 21st-century institution, whether business or non-business, will be its knowledge workers and their productivity.”

— Peter Drucker

Action item: Promote continuous learning

Implement impact evaluations and continuous feedback mechanisms in your programs and operations. Survey your donors, volunteers, and stakeholders continuously, and analyze the feedback into specific process improvements. Regularly train board members and encourage attendance at relevant workshops and conferences to stay informed on the latest trends in nonprofit management. Be sure to allocate sufficient budget for professional development.

Inspiration

Somos Mayfair in San José, CA, exemplifies a unique, culturally informed approach to transformation, combining popular theater, peer-to-peer case management, and community organizing. This innovative model is highlighted among five nonprofit case studies by The Building Movement Project, offering insights into the complex process of integrating social change models with social service efforts for nonprofits seeking practical examples.

The dream realized: Applying Drucker’s insights for board excellence

Integrating these principles into your board development efforts can transform your board into a dynamic, compelling force that drives your nonprofit toward its mission. Channeling Drucker’s wisdom into your board development planning will not only bring you closer to the board of your dreams but also ensure the long-term success and impact of your nonprofit.

Celebrating Drucker’s legacy

Peter Drucker’s influence on management thought and practice extends beyond his lifetime. His principles continue to guide leaders across sectors, offering a roadmap to organizational effectiveness that is as relevant today as decades ago. As we apply Drucker’s teachings to the unique challenges of nonprofit governance, we honor his legacy and contribute to the evolution of effective, mission-driven leadership.

Drucker saw great nonprofits as not only effective and impactful for those they serve but also as providing fulfillment for their volunteers. He stated, “Citizenship in and through the social sector is not a panacea for the ills of … society²,” but it “restores the civic responsibility that is the mark of community.” He worked with major organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. In 1991, he founded the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation, continuing to influence the Drucker Institute today.

For more info about Drucker’s guidance on nonprofit management, check out these books:

• Lessons for Successful Nonprofit Governance
• Managing the Nonprofit Organization

We welcome your reflections on how Drucker’s principles have informed your board development and leadership approach. In the comments, tell us about your experiences and insights, and let’s continue the conversation on creating boards that genuinely make a difference.

^{1. Maxemow, S. (2015). Listen, Learn, and Pass It On. Concrete International, 35.}

^{2. About Peter Drucker * Drucker Institute.} 

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ShowerUp: Building connection with hot Showers and open hearts

In urban environments where the needs of the homeless are often overshadowed by the daily hustle, ShowerUp steps in to provide not just cleanliness but dignity as well. Led by Paul Schmitz and Taylor Reed, this initiative mobilizes fleets of mobile showers to offer hygiene, hope, and dignity.

Their expansion highlighted the typical growing pains of scaling operations—especially with volunteer coordination across cities and managing a growing donor base.

Bloomerang Volunteer helped to transform ShowerUp’s operations by streamlining the volunteer recruitment and management processes. “The user-friendly signup experience has been revolutionary,” said Schmitz. ”Since we’ve been using Bloomerang, we’ve seen 60% growth in volunteer signups and are saving 2 – 3 hours each day,” added Reed. “Volunteers are happy; they know how to sign up, and they continue to sign up to volunteer.”

This operational efficiency is critical not just for service delivery but for strengthening the foundation of volunteer-driven community support.

Compassion Delivered: Nourishing souls, delivering hope

In Northeast Ohio, Compassion Delivered has become synonymous with love served on a plate by offering a lifeline—free, high-quality meals to those with serious illnesses. Bloomerang Volunteer helped co-founder Amanda Anschutz quantify the financial value of volunteer contributions. “[Before using Bloomerang] we didn’t realize the impact our volunteers were having on our organization from a financial standpoint,” Anschutz stated. “If we had to pay our volunteers, the cost to us as an organization would be astronomical.” This deeper understanding has not only enhanced the organization’s appreciation for its volunteers, but reinforced the idea that volunteer management is more than just a way to staff activities—it’s a critical financial strategy to support nonprofit sustainability and growth.

The power of transformative volunteer management

The experiences of ShowerUp and Compassion Delivered highlight the importance of using the right technology solutions to redefine the volunteer experience, and by extension, magnify the impact of nonprofit missions. Bloomerang Volunteer is more than a tool; it’s a strategic ally, transforming the way these nonprofits attract, engage, and retain their core volunteers.

It’s beyond streamlining processes; it’s about kindling passions and enhancing the human experience within these organizations.

ShowerUp has effectively adjusted to its geographic diversity, providing a user-friendly interface that empowers volunteers to ‘self-serve’ their schedules, enhancing engagement and operational transparency.

Compassion Delivered has strengthened its approach to volunteer management by understanding the significant financial value that volunteers bring. This understanding shapes the way the organization values and supports its volunteers, fostering a community united by a profound sense of purpose and shared commitment.

Organizations like ShowerUp and Compassion Delivered not only survive but thrive by embracing state-of-the-art tools that align closely with the demands of their missions. This strategic alignment between technology and mission is what today’s nonprofit leaders need to not just stay afloat but advance confidently toward a future where every stakeholder contribution is maximized for greater communal good. These insights and tools are redefining the essence of volunteerism—ushering in a new era of efficiency and empathy in the nonprofit sector.

The post Spotlight on Impact: ShowerUp and Compassion Delivered’s Journeys with Bloomerang Volunteer appeared first on Bloomerang.

Analyzing your campaigns can help you:

• Track how the campaigns are performing so that you can adjust and improve them along the way
• Understand how well the campaigns performed compared with your goals
• Identify trends and opportunities that you can use to improve future fundraising campaigns

So, let’s look at some top tips to help you evaluate your nonprofit’s online fundraising campaigns.

1. Access your data.

Of course, analyzing your fundraising campaigns starts with accessing data from your online fundraising software. It can be helpful to set up dashboards that give you a daily overview of key performance metrics and trends for each of your campaigns.

Also, be sure to set up more detailed reports for deeper analysis. The way you set up your dashboards and reports will depend on multiple factors, including your data analysis goals and what data you need to inform your analysis.

A good place to start is to think about the metrics that are most important to each campaign. Some metrics might include:

• Total funds raised
• Number of donors
• Average donation size
• For events: number of registrants/attendees
• For peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns or events: number of participants, number of returning participants, number of teams, average team size, average number of donations per participant

Then, set up your dashboards and reports to track year-over-year results for those metrics based on the number of weeks out from the event or campaign start/end. This will allow you to compare your progress at each point in this year’s campaign to the same point in last year’s campaign so that you can make needed adjustments.

BONUS TIP: While analyzing your fundraising campaign data is important, you can spend weeks (or months!) doing so without accomplishing anything. So, be sure to focus only on metrics that are most relevant to your campaign goals.

2. Analyze during the campaign.

Reviewing your campaign daily, weekly, and monthly allows you to adjust the campaign for optimal results.

For example, suppose your campaign is an online peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, and you see that the number of registered participants is down one week compared with the same point in your previous campaign. In that case, you might offer an incentive to encourage participants to register. If total funds raised by participants are down from the last campaign, you might increase participant engagement by offering tips and examples from your top fundraisers.

BONUS TIP: If you identify specific changes you should make, try making just one or two at a time to get an accurate idea of their impact.

3. Evaluate post-campaign data.

Run final reports after your campaign has ended, and all donations have been entered. Consider high-level factors, such as:

• How did the overall fundraising campaign results compare with the goals you set?
• For results that were higher or lower than your goals, what factors do you think impacted those outcomes?
• How effective were your various marketing channels and efforts?

Then, dig deeper to look at trends that might give you more insights. For example, did your marketing channels or activities have less/more impact than they’ve had in previous campaigns? If so, what might have changed? Your messaging? Your branding/images? The frequency of messages?

4. Consider success factors other than numbers.

It’s hard to argue with hard numbers, but qualitative aspects of a fundraising campaign are just as important as numbers. Listen and respond to feedback from your participants, attendees, sponsors, donors, and staff throughout your campaign. Also, send a post-campaign survey to various audiences involved in the campaign to better understand things like:

• How much staff effort did the campaign take? Were there any process bottlenecks that could be improved?
• What did various audiences like/dislike about the campaign in terms of registration, fundraising, donating, and the overall campaign?
• How easy was using the campaign website, fundraising tools, and donation process?

5. Debrief with your fundraising team.

Meet with everyone on your staff involved with the fundraising campaign to review your campaign goals, discuss the campaign results, and talk through lessons learned. Be sure to take detailed notes to refer to later as you plan the next campaign.

6. Think about the next campaign.

Once you’ve evaluated your campaign, start thinking strategically about your next campaign. Here are some things to consider:

• If your last campaign wasn’t as successful as you’d like, consider changing the next campaign’s timing, messaging, theme, or structure.
• If your campaign met most of your goals, maybe you should focus on making sure your next fundraising campaign doesn’t leave money on the table.
• If the fundraising campaign exceeded your goals, maybe your strategy should be to focus on a specific area of the campaign, such as providing sponsors with greater value to keep them coming back, giving peer-to-peer fundraising participants the tools and encouragement they need to raise more, or encouraging past donors to give again by showing them the impact of their donations.

You can also use your fundraising campaign data for specific insights into how to improve your future campaigns. For example:

• When to start – Look into your past campaigns to understand the best time to launch various aspects of your campaign. For example, for a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, look at when your top performers registered. Then, consider timing a multi-channel recruitment approach that coincides with when your biggest supporters typically register. That way, you can use their enthusiasm as a launching point for registration.
• Where to focus your resources – Whenever you can, use source codes in your online fundraising efforts to attribute registrants and donors to specific marketing channels. Then, you can use this information to decide which channels are worth keeping, which should have more resources, and which you should leave behind.
• When to offer incentives – For example, if you’re running a peer-to-peer campaign and offer fundraising milestone badges, look up your levels to see how many participants reached them. If participants fall short of your lowest tier, you might want to lower it for the next campaign or adjust your communications to encourage participants to reach their goals. On the flip side, if too many people are quickly reaching your lowest tier, consider raising it.

Analyzing your fundraising campaigns goes a long way toward making them the best they can be. Take time to gather and study fundraising campaign data, and you’ll have the insights you need to take your future campaigns to the next level.

Author: Mark Becker, Founding Partner, Cathexis Partners

Mark founded Cathexis Partners in 2008, providing technical and consultative services to nonprofits of all sizes and types. He previously served as director of IT consulting at a fundraising event production company focused on nonprofits. For more than 20 years, Mark has supported hundreds of nonprofit online fundraising efforts.

The post 6 Tips for Analyzing Online Fundraising Campaigns appeared first on Bloomerang.

Picture this: your donor data and fundraising trends reports are due, but instead of the usual stress, you’re calm, prepared, and even proud of what you’re about to submit. Sounds ideal, right? Let’s find out how to achieve that level of reporting Zen consistently.

Why report love matters

Choosing a donor database is a pivotal decision for nonprofit fundraisers, influenced mainly by reporting capabilities.

The quality of reporting can vary significantly across different price points. The old axiom rings true, “you get what you pay for.”

Modern CRM reporting is crucial for several reasons, namely because the right reports will help you:

• Evaluate performance: Get a bird’s-eye view of your organization’s fundraising efficacy by analyzing key metrics like donation amounts, donor engagement, and campaign success.
• Gain donor insights: Deep dive into your donors’ behaviors, preferences, and giving patterns so you can tailor your outreach for better engagement and support.
• Optimize campaigns: Identify what works and what doesn’t so you can fine tune your efforts for maximum impact.
• Manage financial planning: Keep a pulse on your finances to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation for sustainable growth and stability.
• Implement donor retention strategies: Uncover insights on retention rates to strengthen donor loyalty and reduce donor attrition.
• Measure Impact: Link fundraising successes to specific projects or programs, showcasing the tangible outcomes made possible through donor support.
• Comply with regulatory requirements: Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations, maintaining a transparent record of financial transactions and donor interactions.
• Make better strategic decisions: Take advantage of data-driven insights for informed planning and execution.
• Communicate more effectively with your board and stakeholders: Offer a clear, quantifiable view of your organization’s fundraising activities to boards and potential fundraisers, building trust and accountability.

Key reporting features

The most impactful reports encompass a variety of aspects, from donation trends to donor retention. The ability to build customized reports using templates and analyze data in real time will notably enhanced your fundraising efforts. This adaptability is crucial for strategic decision making and underscores the value of upgrading to a more advanced platform.

While this post focuses on donor reports, see this link to learn more about reports on volunteer activities.

Ease of use: A game changer

Ease of use significantly affects the adoption and effectiveness of a CRM. Features like step-by-step reporting guides, a vast selection of predesigned templates, and the ability to customize data fields for targeted insights are pivotal. They streamline the reporting process, making it not just about number-crunching but a strategic tool for engagement and decision-making.

Look for a variety of predesigned report templates that include:

• Newest Donors
• Loyal Donors
• Monthly Donors
• Donors to Call Immediately
• LYBUNT
• SYBUNT
• Projected Revenue
• Downgrades
• Household Averages
• Pledge Reminders
• One-time Donors
• Online Givers
• Employer Relationships

Is that list long enough for you?

We saved the best for last: a predesigned report tailored to high-potential donors. This is a group of donors whose high level of engagement is matched by their high Bloomerang Generosity Scores^TM. To take advantage of these types of insights and potentially raise more revenue, look to Bloomerang, which exclusively integrates this “Predictive Giving” prospect research data right into its CRM.

You can also customize your own data fields and apply filters for targeted insights.

These automated reporting options make your fundraising process more efficient.

If you’re currently using Excel or Google Sheets, transferring that data into a modern CRM is straightforward. A good vendor will help you with all aspects of the transfer. Once you’ve uploaded your donor or volunteer data, you can access an easy-to-understand interface and highly intuitive reporting templates. This ease of reporting is one of the main reasons many nonprofits switch to a new donor/volunteer CRM.

“Reporting is not just list generation as it used to be! Now it’s about making sense of the data, the giving trends, and knowing more about your donor’s behavior toward your organization. That’s why we use “filter-based” reporting instead of the complex queries of our competitors. “Filter-based” reporting is a streamlined approach that simplifies data retrieval and analysis. Unlike complex queries involving intricate logic and multiple conditions, filter-based reporting focuses on selecting specific criteria to narrow down results.” Diana Otero, Product Marketing Manager at Bloomerang, is actively involved in nonprofits, having served on the board of the Nantahala Hiking Club, one of the 31 trail-maintaining clubs of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Leveraging reports for strategic growth

Reports aren’t just numbers and lists; they’re the roadmap to elevating your nonprofit’s success.

They empower you to make strategic decisions regarding donor engagement, campaign development, and donor retention strategies, ultimately boosting your return on investment donor satisfaction.

The CRM you want should not only simplify report generation but also support automatic scheduling and feedback mechanisms, fostering a community among users and facilitating continuous improvement.

“I prefer CRMs that record a lot of interactions automatically, which reduces the burden on our team to update records. This also means that we have better data about who is engaging with us and what is resonating with them. Our communications, appeals, and reports continue to improve as we learn from the data Bloomerang captures.” Valerie Fitton-Kane, VP Development, Challenger Center

Don’t believe us? Listen to a nonprofit user

The Education Foundation of Lake County’s experience underscores the transformative power of an effective CRM. They’re dedicated to supporting Lake County, Florida schools in evaluating the needs of students and teachers and securing resources to ensure that every student and teacher has a better classroom experience. With a $1.5 million annual budget, here are a few of their key impacts:

• Teachers: More than 2,857 teachers have been positively influenced by the foundation’s initiatives.
• Investment in our schools: The foundation has invested an impressive $1,616,727 in Lake County schools.
• Students impacted: 59,434 students have benefited from the foundation’s programs.

So you can see why having the right CRM was so particularly important.

Amber Castellano, the Foundation’s communication and events specialist, and Kacey Edmondson, the donor development relations specialist, explained that the Foundation faced challenges in tracking donations, updating donor information, and maintaining effective communication with benefactors. Edmondson said the old database was inefficient: “It was so cumbersome that we couldn’t get quick information.” By partnering with Bloomerang, they achieved a more effective donation tracking system—leading to a 15% increase in donations year over year—better donor communication, and significantly increased their funding outcomes, highlighting the critical role of modern CRMs in nonprofit success.

“The ability to schedule reports has saved as much as two hours in a day.” Kacey Edmondson, Donor Dev. Relations Specialist

Why you too can LOVE CRM reports

When combined with the right tools and mindset, fundraising reports can significantly boost your nonprofit’s efficiency, strategic alignment, and community impact.

Modern CRMs, with robust reporting capabilities and user-friendly interfaces, enable you to not just meet but exceed your fundraising goals.

Embrace the power of reporting and unlock the potential to propel your organization toward greater success.

What’s your experience of the value of fundraising CRM reports? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Love At First Sight: Getting To The Heart Of Fundraising With Effective Reporting appeared first on Bloomerang.

Our latest email automation update helps you re-engage inactive, or dormant, volunteers, all within the same platform, and:

• Keep your volunteer levels steady by encouraging volunteers to come back
• Remind volunteers of available opportunities by promoting them within your communication
• Maintain clean records by enabling volunteers to withdraw from the organization if they’re no longer interested.

Research suggests that re-engaging existing volunteers can be more efficient and cost-effective than recruiting new ones because you’re able to:

• Maintain existing relationships: Re-engaging volunteers often means tapping into existing relationships and networks. Volunteers who’ve previously contributed to your organization are already familiar with your mission, values, and operations, making it easier to re-engage them.
• Leverage familiarity and commitment: Returning volunteers have already demonstrated a commitment to your organization’s cause. They’re more likely to understand the work and require less training or orientation compared to new volunteers.
• Foster stability: Retaining volunteers can contribute to a more stable and engaged volunteer base over time. By prioritizing volunteer retention, your organization will gain increased productivity, improved morale, and stronger community connections.

To get started, you simply enable the automation you want, choose your audience, set the timing, edit the email to fit the needs of your organizations, and you’re ready to go.

Look for more new features throughout 2024! If you have Bloomerang Volunteer product ideas you’d like to share, please add them here.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post Volunteer Re-Engagement Automation appeared first on Bloomerang.

Our latest updates help you recognize your volunteers in more formal ways to keep them engaged, happy, and coming back.

See who your top contributors are at a glance with a leaderboard. Customize your leaderboard based on the timeframe you want: week, month, year, or customize it to your needs. Showcase on your public events page to foster competition and spark more engagement.

Send an email that acknowledges volunteer impact and milestones. Base it on hours contributed or their anniversary date—all automated to save you time.

Recognizing your volunteers is proven to improve engagement:

According to Deloitte, recognition correlates highly with improving employee engagement, which in turn improves job performance. In fact, employee engagement, productivity, and performance are 14% higher in organizations with recognition programs than those without.

The new recognition capabilities in Bloomerang Volunteer are an easy way to keep your volunteers engaged, retained, and even driving referrals.

Look for more new features throughout 2024! If you have Bloomerang Volunteer product ideas you’d like to share, please add them here. We’d love to hear from you!

The post Enhancements to Bloomerang Volunteer: February 2024 appeared first on Bloomerang.

The art of selective invitations

We used to cast a wide net for every fundraising event invitation, welcoming everyone who bought a ticket. Those days are gone. Thanks to integrated donor CRMs, it’s now easy to segment and invite those individuals whose philanthropic history and capacity to give align with the organization’s goals. This precision guest selection ensures that every event offers an opportunity to foster deeper connections with potential high-impact donors. We’ve heard from some fundraisers that their galas flop, and they can’t figure out why. Well, the answer is that they’re not inviting the people who can afford to give generously.

Here’s how to do it now.

Using tools like Bloomerang and DonorSearch, you can now access a wealth of data to curate a guest list for your event or gala. These platforms offer insights into donors’ giving history, wealth indicators, and philanthropic interests, enabling your organization to identify and engage potential donors most likely to support your cause. This data-driven approach not only enhances the effectiveness of fundraising events—in-person, online, or hybrid—but also streamlines the planning process.

The goal of a large gala is different from a luncheon event, an online auction, or a bikeathon. So, segmenting the donors you invite to each type of event is crucial! It may seem like a brand-new idea, but it’s a foundation of modern marketing.

Case study: The power of curating your events list

Does curating a fundraising event really make a difference? The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) exemplifies the power of strategic guest list curation. By focusing on a dedicated group of cyclists who are passionate about supporting the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PMC has consistently achieved remarkable fundraising success. Their targeted approach, honed over 44 years, has cultivated a community of supporters that have raised more money for charity than any other athletic event nationwide.

In 2020, The PMC raised an impressive $50 million during its Reimagined event, contributing $767 million over 41 years. In 2021, The PMC set a fundraising goal of $56 million. In 2022, an innovative challenge from an anonymous couple matched every rider’s registration fee dollar for dollar, up to $2 million, boosting that year’s donation to Dana-Farber.

The PMC’s impact extends beyond mere numbers. It unites thousands of riders, volunteers, donors, and supporters worldwide into a collective fight against cancer. Participants ride in honor of loved ones affected by cancer, or as cancer survivors who serve as Living Proof® of the PMC’s mission.

By carefully curating its event audience, the PMC not only raises significant funds but also makes a meaningful impact in the battle against cancer.

Practical steps to curate a guest list

Your goal is to assemble a diverse and influential audience that contributes to the event’s overall success in fundraising, support, and overall impact. Here’s how to curate a guest list for your gala:

• Define your goals. Start by clearly defining the objectives of your event. Whether raising funds, increasing awareness, or celebrating achievements, your goals will guide your guest list.
• Identify key supporters. Use your CRM to identify individuals who have demonstrated a strong affinity for your cause. This includes major donors, board members, volunteers, and anyone who significantly impacts your organization.
• Segment and personalize. Segment your guest list based on their giving history, engagement level, and capacity to contribute. Tailored invitations ensure that your message resonates, increasing the likelihood of attendance and support.
• Leverage technology for insights. Use DonorSearch and Bloomerang to gain deeper insights into your donors. These tools can help you identify hidden potential among your supporters, ensuring you invite those most likely to contribute to your event’s success.
• Invite inspirational donors to inspire giving. These individuals can kickstart donations by others by contributing generously themselves. Their action sets a powerful example and fosters a vibrant culture of generosity, making it a key strategy in achieving your event’s financial goals.
• Involve your board. Collaborate with board members and event committees to tap into their networks. Board members often have valuable connections and insights into individuals who may be passionate about supporting your organization.
• Engage and follow up. After the event, continue to engage with attendees. Express your gratitude and share updates on the impact of their support and information about ongoing initiatives. Continuous engagement helps build lasting relationships that are crucial for your fundraising efforts.

Remember, curating a guest list is not just about numbers; it’s about creating a community of advocates and supporters genuinely invested in the success of the event and your organization.

Regularly review and update your guest list strategy based on your nonprofit’s evolving needs and goals.

Beyond the guest list: Integrating volunteer management to mobilize a dedicated team

An often overlooked aspect of event success is a dedicated volunteer team. Volunteers not only help run the event smoothly but act as ambassadors for your cause. Integrating volunteer management with your donor engagement strategy can enhance the overall experience for everyone involved. Platforms like Bloomerang Volunteer offer comprehensive tools to recruit, train, and manage volunteers across your organization, aligning their efforts with your fundraising goals.

Bringing it all together

Curating your guest list is more than an item on a checklist; it’s a strategic endeavor that can significantly elevate your nonprofit’s events. By combining a clear understanding of your goals with the power of data-driven insights, you can create events that not only celebrate your cause but also advance it. Integrating sophisticated CRM tools along with a thoughtful approach to engagement invites a new era of fundraising success—where every gala, auction, or bikeathon becomes a cornerstone of your nonprofit’s growth and impact.

In this dynamic landscape, the ability to harness the generosity of your community through strategic planning and engagement is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Let’s embrace these insights and tools to create unforgettable events that inspire generosity and foster a lasting impact.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your experience of this important subject below.

The post Elevating Nonprofit Events: A Strategic Guide To Guest Curation appeared first on Bloomerang.

Bloomerang refers to them as tax summaries—which they are—but they also summarize each donor’s cumulative giving. They form a powerful document informing donors about their total annual giving—a rare moment in the fundraising process.

Cumulative giving statements

Donors rarely know or keep track of their cumulative giving, so when you point out the total, they’re usually quite pleasantly surprised.

Sending annual tax summaries to your donors provides an opportunity to make them feel good about how generous they have been. We strongly encourage you to make the most of this opportunity.

While tax summaries might seem like just another administrative task, savvy nonprofits use them as powerful cultivation moments to deepen relationships with donors.

Major gift officers often prepare TOTAL GIVING statements before meeting with their major donors because they, too, lose track of their cumulative generosity.

A donor who sees the history of their contributions is more likely to feel a sense of loyalty to your organization—a crucial factor in retaining donors over the long term. When donors feel a solid connection to your cause and understand the impact they’ve had, they’re more likely to stay committed.

Understanding a donor’s cumulative giving also helps your organization to build and nurture relationships strategically. You can identify donors who’ve consistently supported your cause and tailor your engagement strategies to deepen those relationships—potentially involving them in higher-level giving or leadership roles.

Further, high cumulative giving offers opportunities for special recognition. You can create giving societies or exclusive events for donors who’ve reached specific cumulative giving milestones. These events offer an excellent opportunity to acknowledge their generosity and provide incentives for continued support.

It’s a home run to show donors their cumulative annual or total giving because it goes beyond individual transactions and builds a narrative of shared impact, recognition, and trust. This lays the foundation for a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship between the donor and your nonprofit organization.

What are tax summaries?

In the nonprofit world, tax summaries are the golden tickets that encapsulate a donor’s generosity throughout the preceding calendar year. The statement itemizes each donation and shows the total donated.

Using the Bloomerang platform, you can effortlessly email year-end tax summaries to your entire database in just a few minutes. The email contains a secure link for recipients to download a PDF containing a comprehensive listing of their tax-deductible contributions from the preceding calendar year.

Pre-built templates make the process of running a list of donors easy. You can use them as is or edit them to suit specific audiences or needs:

• Year-end Tax Report (Revenue)
• Year-end Tax Report (In-Kind)

The IRS requires nonprofits that receive more than $250,000 in annual contributions to send year-end tax documents to donors. They’ll assess penalties if you don’t.

It’s important to understand the specific rules and regulations surrounding charitable donations and tax deductions, as they can vary based on your donors’ particular circumstances and the type of organization they donate to.

For a comprehensive overview from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, see How Do Charitable Donations Impact Your Taxes? You can share this link with your donors.

Why should nonprofits care?

Beyond the apparent legal and accountability aspects, tax summaries offer nonprofits like yours a unique opportunity to express gratitude and reinforce the impact of your donors’ contributions. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about recognizing the individuals who make a difference.

The cultivation moment: Turning receipts into relationships

Issuing tax summaries is more than just a paperwork drill. It’s a chance for you to turn a transactional moment into a cultivation opportunity. Here’s how:

• Express gratitude: Include a heartfelt thank-you message in the email accompanying the tax summary. Let donors know the measure of their impact is more than dollars and cents.
• Highlight impact: Take the chance to showcase a tangible outcome of the donors’ contributions. Share a success story, donor testimonial, or an update on projects funded by their generosity.
• Invite engagement: Encourage donors to ask questions, make suggestions, or share their thoughts. Use this as a segue to deepen the connection and understanding between the nonprofit and its supporters. Offering a donor survey would be advised.
• Make it personal: If your platform allows, customize the tax summaries to reflect each donor’s unique journey with your organization. Acknowledge milestones, anniversaries, or any unique connections that make them an integral part of your community.
• Encourage social sharing: Include social sharing buttons or pre-drafted messages in your email. Gift your donors the ability to become ambassadors by sharing their contributions and support with their networks, potentially expanding your reach.

Key takeaways

Sending year-end tax summaries is a great way to help donors get the tax credits they deserve while thanking them for their impact on your organization.

Tax summaries are not just about numbers but about nurturing a sense of belonging and appreciation among donors.

Here’s a list of best practices for sending year-end tax statements to donors.

What are your thoughts about tax summaries? Please share them in the comment section below.

The post Turning Tax Season Tears Into Cheers: Your Chance To Cultivate Donors appeared first on Bloomerang.

Following GivingTuesday and the end-of-year giving season in the U.S., nonprofits are at a pivotal juncture. As 2024 unfolds, here’s a roadmap featuring key fundraising tactics for nonprofits to turbocharge your efforts:

Cultivate meaningful donor relationships by engaging and stewarding new donors

Your bond with your donors is the lifeline of your organization. This year, make a concerted effort to nurture these relationships. Engage new donors by acknowledging their contributions, sharing the tangible impacts of their gifts, offering regular updates on your successes, and inspiring them to give again and again.

But it’s often easier said than done. Smaller and medium-sized nonprofits lack the staff larger organizations have, which means fewer resources for keeping track of and engaging with past donors. Here’s where a robust donor relationship management (DRM) solution can help to support relationship building with new and one-time donors. DRMs can directly address industry challenges by offering tools for personalized communication and targeted outreach to support relationship building and retention.

Adopt a multiple-appeal strategy

Year-end appeals just wrapped a few weeks ago; now that we’re in the new year, what’s next? The answer is simple: Do more appeals! Giving people multiple ways to support your cause throughout the year should be a critical piece in your donor retention strategy. Moments in time like GivingTuesday and the year-end giving season create built-in opportunities for nonprofits to send out appeals, but that shouldn’t be the only time of year you’re doing this.

Sending out multiple prompts and creating various opportunities within a calendar year for donors to give again or contribute in new ways is just as critical. Whether it’s for a specific need like upgrading facilities or for general support, crafting multiple appeals throughout the year keeps the momentum going and offers donors continual opportunities to engage and contribute.

Tap into donor generosity to maximize major gifts

To do this well, you need to understand the anatomy of a generous donor. This kind of donor is ready to give and shows this through active participation at events, volunteering, responding to communications, and more. They’re also willing to donate to your cause, having previously shown commitment to your nonprofit. Lastly, they’re able and have the financial capacity to make substantial contributions.

So, how do you tap into this? We’re so glad you asked! You need to have a deep understanding of this generous donor anatomy so you know what signs, behaviors, and engagements to look for. It’s not easy to keep track of manually. Predictive analytics are a powerful tool for uncovering your most generous donors. For example, Bloomerang Predictive Giving Insights analyzes your records to uncover your ideal donors without complicated steps or complex coding.

Generosity unlocks the funds needed to propel your mission forward, and finding donors with both the wealth and generosity to give is critical to fundraising success.

Segment donor audiences for communications that will land

With more than 1.8 million nonprofit organizations registered in the U.S., you’ve got a lot of competition. If you aren’t communicating the right things to the right donor audiences, you won’t see much in the way of results.

One of the most important factors when sending communications to your donors is understanding the intended audience for that specific message. Are you trying to reach previous EOY donors? Perhaps volunteers from a past event or donors who were at your last silent auction.

The more you can segment your donor audiences, the better you can target your message, and the more likely your communications will generate action.

When in doubt: personalize, rinse, repeat

Integrate personalization across all your fundraising strategies. Recognize and appreciate each donor’s unique connection to your cause. From individualized communications to tailored interactions at events, make every donor feel valued and integral to your mission.

Help your donors feel valued, that they’re integral to your mission, and that they’re making an impact on their community. Be sure to build every communication with 1:1 personalization in mind: with a welcome, clear direction on where help is needed and insight into how their volunteer support matters. Sending thank yous following a donation or event is also an ongoing opportunity to personalize donor interactions. Personalization isn’t a one-time effort but a continuous process that should be woven into every aspect of your donor engagement strategy.

Charting a path forward

As you move through 2024, these five fundraising tactics for nonprofits will be instrumental in elevating your results. Remember, the heart of effective fundraising is connecting, engaging, and resonating with your donors.

We’d love to hear how you’re integrating these strategies into your 2024 fundraising plans. Share your essential fundraising tactics for nonprofits in the comments below!

The post 5 Essential Fundraising Tactics For Nonprofits In 2024: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on Bloomerang.

As of 2021, nearly one million nonprofit organizations in the U.S. reported receiving under $50,000 U.S. dollars in revenue, approximately 70 percent of all nonprofits registered in the United States.

If you’re just getting started with fundraising, it may seem confusing, like a foreign language.

Here’s a guide to help figure it out and raise a lot of funds.

The Parkinson Association of the Carolinas

Small nonprofits like Voluntary Health Associations that want to raise private funds don’t always know how to get started or how to grow past their initial efforts.

One nonprofit, the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas (PAC), supports people living with Parkinson’s disease throughout North and South Carolina so that they can remain independent and stay active. They use their resources and expertise to support, educate, and empower those impacted by the disease.

PAC was using an inadequate fundraising tool. Hear directly from Ann Marie, Parkinson Association’s executive director:

“We were using Access 2010 software as our donor database, and we lost records after input—sometimes 100 – 200 at a time! That would require entering all the information again. It was awful. We also wanted a database that could do more than just store information and provide reporting, but it had to also be user friendly.”

Like Anne Marie’s terrific nonprofit, Voluntary Health Associations (VHAs) are composed of individuals, both lay and professional, who are voluntarily and democratically organized. Their primary mission is to combat a particular disease, disability, or group of diseases to improve and protect the patient’s health. These nonprofits are supported mainly by voluntary public contributions. VHAs engage in an array of direct-service programs, which can include membership, support, advocacy, education, and research.

One thing unifies VHAs: they need to stay organized to fundraise more effectively. Yes, it’s true; those nonprofits that are organized raise more funds. Again, Ann Marie says it best:

“Since implementing Bloomerang, we’ve come to appreciate the time saved on inputting donor data. It’s less time-consuming to enter a new constituent into Bloomerang than it was in Access. I’d say it’s cut down the time used by half. Best of all, we changed our donor credit card processor to Stripe, and all the information went directly to our new Bloomerang CRM.”

Since implementing Bloomerang, the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas has seen improvements with several fundraising pain points because of donor data accessibility and consolidation: “Not losing records, the time it took to enter the constituent information and then donor information for that same person in Access, and pulling constituents into the newsletter instead of manually updating Constant Contact.” Ann Marie and her team have also benefited from improvements to their productivity. “It’s taking less time for our program director to pull the newsletter together.”

A step-by-step guide to getting started with fundraising

Starting or advancing private fundraising for your small healthcare community-based nonprofit can be a rewarding venture. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started or advance from where you are, with a focus on the importance of having a modern donor database.

These are proven steps you can take to grow and advance your nonprofit.

Step 1: Define your fundraising goals and objectives

Clearly define your fundraising goals, whether it’s funding a specific project, expanding services, or covering operational costs. Set measurable objectives to track progress. You must specify the exact revenue amount you need and make sure the numbers are real. Do your research.

Step 2: Understand your target funders/donors

Identify and understand your potential funders or donors. Consider demographics, interests, and giving preferences. This knowledge will guide your fundraising strategies. For example, you can hire a grant writer to make an assessment of what a private foundation program would be worth to your organization. That assessment will provide a projection of three types of funders: Likely, Unlikely, and Undetermined. It will also specify the potential funding you’ll likely secure in years one, two, and three. Based on that assessment, you can then contract with the grant writer to work on your best prospects. Focusing on the most likely prospects is a great way to get started. In later years, you can pursue other prospects from the Undetermined and Unlikely categories, and decide whether the results are good enough to justify the expense.

Step 3: Develop a compelling story

While you’re working on Step 2, craft a compelling narrative that highlights the impact of your nonprofit’s work. Share success stories and testimonials, and give specific examples of how donations make a difference and at what dollar levels. Pilot your stories with more experienced colleagues and get their feedback about the draft before you use it.

Step 4: Create a diverse fundraising strategy

Explore various fundraising avenues, including:

• Online Fundraising: Set up a user-friendly website with a donation portal. Take advantage of social media platforms for crowdfunding campaigns.
• Events: Plan fundraising events such as galas, auctions, or community gatherings.
• Corporate partnerships: Seek partnerships with local businesses for sponsorships or employee-giving programs.
• Government: Explore what government funders may be interested in your work based on their contracts with similar nonprofits.

Step 5: Establish a donor management system

As Ann Marie noted, invest in a modern donor database to efficiently manage and track donor information. Like Bloomerang, this system should:

• Store contact information: Keep track of donor names, contact details, and giving history.
• Segment donor groups: Group donors based on demographics, giving history, or preferences for targeted communication.
• Automate tasks: Streamline administrative tasks, such as sending acknowledgment emails or tax receipts.
• Deliver predictive giving insights: Automatically analyze every record in your database to discover your ideal donors without complicated steps or complex coding.
• Ensure security: Ensure the database complies with data protection regulations to safeguard donor information.
• Include volunteer management: Your volunteers deserve a smooth process. This process must  be easy for volunteers to register for and schedule activities on their own. If you care for your volunteers now, they’re likely to become donors in the future.

Step 6: Engage donors effectively

Regularly communicate with your donors through newsletters, emails, and social media. Provide updates on your organization’s activities, the impact of donations, and upcoming fundraising initiatives. There are many examples of this content and how to do it here on the Bloomerang blog.

Step 7: Acknowledge and recognize donors

Show appreciation for your donors. Send personalized thank-you notes, recognize them on your website or at events, and provide exclusive updates or perks for their support. Email and texting are the two most important ways to communicate with them, as well as timely phone calls.

Step 8: Monitor and evaluate continuously

Regularly evaluate your fundraising efforts. Use data from your donor database to analyze which strategies are most effective and make adjustments accordingly. The reporting functions within Bloomerang are second to none.

Step 9: Stay compliant

Understand and adhere to fundraising regulations in your area. Make sure your organization is transparent about fund usage. This Board Source resource will help.

Step 10: Cultivate long-term relationships

Build long-term relationships with funders and donors by keeping them informed and involved. Encourage ongoing support through recurring donations or participating in your organization’s activities. Playing the long game brings amazing rewards.

Step 11: Adapt and innovate

Stay informed about new fundraising trends and technologies. Be willing to adapt your strategies to evolving donor preferences. This is also where Bloomerang can help.

Step 12: Evaluate and celebrate successes

Regularly assess your fundraising efforts against your goals. Celebrate successes, learn from challenges, and continuously refine your approach. You may find it useful to issue a bi-annual report to your board about higher-level fundraising performance.

Remember, the success of your private fundraising efforts relies on a combination of effective communication, strategic planning, and the use of modern tools like a donor database to manage and nurture donor and volunteer relationships.

Will these steps work for you? Are there other steps you’d include? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post A Step-By-Step Guide To Getting Started With Fundraising appeared first on Bloomerang.

The key to effective stewardship is to be organized and have a plan. There’s nothing like a great stewardship relationship database (CRM) to keep you organized and to assure that donor stewardship stays front and center.

Many houses of worship have already taken this crucial step. See the list for yourself.

Here’s a checklist you can use to enhance your stewardship giving.

1. Create a welcoming atmosphere

Encourage a warm and inclusive environment within your place of worship.

• Implement welcoming committees.
• Host regular newcomer events.
• Ensure that everyone feels embraced as part of the spiritual family.
• Be sure to practice good data hygiene by having a registration process for all congregants. That could be your congregation’s own App for each of their phones, or it could be a kiosk in your lobby—or both.

2. Embrace technology for outreach

Explore the use of technology to extend the reach of your spiritual community.

• Leverage social media platforms.
• Offer live streaming, and virtual events to engage congregants, especially those who may not physically attend services.
• Foster online giving, discussion groups, and prayer communities to keep the connection strong.

3. Personalize outreach and pastoral care

Nurture individual spiritual journeys by implementing a system of personalized outreach, ensuring that every congregant feels seen and valued. Assign dedicated pastoral care teams to connect with members, offering support during challenging times and celebrating milestones. Personal connections can significantly enhance stewardship giving. We give to people not to causes, some say. All this can be accomplished with a modern relationship management system.

4. Deliver engaging worship experiences

Having transformative gatherings revitalizes worship experiences to be engaging, uplifting, and spiritually enriching. Incorporate diverse forms of worship, including music, interactive sermons, and community-driven activities. When congregants feel a deep connection during worship, they are more likely to contribute to the spiritual and financial well being of the community. Most of all, it’s important to have a thoughtful request for support built into your services and programs that comes at the right moment when people are spiritually and emotionally moved.

5. Provide community service and outreach initiatives

Your work extends beyond the walls of your building. Encourage congregants to actively participate in community service and outreach programs. Your congregation may even have its own soup kitchen, or food pantry, or similar program. By working together to make a positive impact on the world, individuals can forge stronger bonds with each other and their place of worship. This shared sense of purpose often translates into increased stewardship giving.

6. Offer stewardship education and awareness

Cultivating a culture of giving is very important. Provide educational resources and messages that emphasize the importance of stewardship in supporting the mission and vision of your faith community. Clearly communicate where the funds go and how they contribute to the spiritual growth of the community. Knowledgeable and informed congregants are more likely to give generously. Consider issuing an annual impact report that shows in clear graphs the relationship between personal giving and the services you deliver. This report may provide support for your requests for renewed and increased support.

A tapestry of faith and generosity

As the new year approaches, let us weave a tapestry of faith, connection, and generosity within our congregations. By implementing these strategies, we can foster a sense of belonging that transcends physical boundaries, creating a spiritual community that thrives in unity and purpose. May the coming year be marked by strengthened connections and increased stewardship giving, enabling our places of worship to continue flourishing as beacons of hope and love.

What’s your experience on increasing stewardship giving? Please leave a comment below and let us know.

The post Strategies For Enhancing Congregational Connection And Stewardship Giving appeared first on Bloomerang.

As illustrated in the groundbreaking report, “A National Imperative: Strengthening Human Services in America,” health and human service nonprofits play an irreplaceable role in enhancing health outcomes and minimizing healthcare costs, in ensuring that children are safe in supportive neighborhoods and that succeed in school, in helping older people maintain a high quality of life, in helping people with disabilities live their lives fully, in building quality, affordable housing, and in providing crucial mental health and substance abuse services.

Yet, surveys also show that their boards can be more robust.
19.5 million board members serve 1.3 million U.S. nonprofits, according to the National Council of Nonprofits. Each board averages 15 board members.

Many health and human services board members want more time to discuss key strategic issues. “We never have time to discuss the really important things,” many board members complain.  If you’ve heard that too, this post is for you.

Board meetings that are guided by a consent agenda likely avoid that complaint. Consent agendas are a common practice among governing bodies. The agenda is used to streamline the decision-making process by grouping routine or non-controversial items together on an agenda. The purpose is to save time and resources by handling these items with a single vote at the start of the meeting, allowing the board to focus on more critical or contentious matters. Generally, a half hour of time from each board meeting is saved.

How do consent agendas work?

Here’s how consent board meeting agendas typically work:

• Agenda preparation: The meeting agenda is prepared by the Board secretary, clerk, or a designated individual. The agenda includes a list of items to be discussed or voted on during the meeting.
• Categorizing agenda items: Agenda items are categorized into two main groups: consent items and regular discussion items. Consent items are typically routine, non-controversial, and well-understood by the board members.
• Distribution of agenda: The agenda is distributed to board members well in advance of the meeting to allow them time to review the items, usually ten days prior to the meeting. It’s preferable to both email and mail the documents. Some boards have “Board Books,” binders where you file current and past documents to stay organized.
• Review and discussion: At the start of the meeting, the board members briefly review the consent agenda items. If any board member has questions or concerns about an item, they can request that it be moved to the regular discussion portion of the meeting.
• Approval of consent agenda: If there are no objections or requests to move items to the regular discussion portion, the board votes to approve the entire consent agenda with a single vote. Typically, these items are approved in one motion without separate discussion.
• Regular discussion: After the consent agenda is approved, the meeting proceeds to the regular discussion portion of the agenda. More complex or contentious items are discussed in detail, and individual votes are taken on each of them. The items can also provide insight into the focus of your annual board retreat weekend and the right retreat facilitator to recruit.
• Adjournment: Once all agenda items have been addressed, the meeting is adjourned.

Nonprofits should consult legal counsel to ensure their consent agenda complies with any legal or regulatory requirements. Here’s a list of what’s required in each state.

BoardSource has special guidance about consent agendas which you can read here.

What makes consent agendas so powerful?

Here’s a deeper look at the power of consent agendas:

• Time efficiency: One of the most significant advantages of consent agendas is the time they save. By bundling routine items into a single motion, organizations can focus more on substantive discussions, strategic planning, and addressing complex issues during board meetings. This efficiency is especially critical in nonprofit organizations where board members often have limited time to dedicate to volunteer service.
• Reduces meeting fatigue: Lengthy board meetings with extensive discussions on routine matters can lead to board member fatigue and disengagement. Consent agendas help keep meetings concise and productive, maintaining the interest and involvement of board members.
• Streamlines decision making: Consent agendas make it easy to approve multiple items with a single vote, which simplifies decision making and minimizes the risk of overlooking important but routine matters like approving minutes, accepting committee reports, approving updated contact information lists, or budget amendments.
• Facilitates board recruitment: Prospective board members are more likely to be attracted to an organization with an efficient board meeting structure. The use of consent agendas demonstrates that the board values their time and is focused on strategic discussions rather than bureaucratic processes.
• Promotes accountability: Consent agendas help ensure that routine tasks are consistently addressed and that nothing is unintentionally omitted. This promotes accountability and good governance within the organization.
• Encourages board development: By freeing up time for more substantial discussions, consent agendas allow the board to delve deeper into strategic planning, policy development, and programmatic matters, which are vital for growth and development.
• Fosters transparency: Even though consent agenda items are typically non-controversial, they remain part of the public record, ensuring transparency for stakeholders, members, and the public. It’s an opportunity for those interested in the organization to see the breadth of activities and decisions made by the board.
• Empowers leadership: Consent agendas empower the board chair or meeting facilitator to guide the meeting more effectively. They can focus on matters that require discussion while efficiently managing the consent items.
• Balances governance and management: Consent agendas help maintain the appropriate balance between the board’s governance role and the management responsibilities of the staff. Routine operational matters are handled efficiently, allowing the board to concentrate on its oversight, strategic duties, and long-term planning.
• Flexibility: Organizations can customize their consent agendas to suit their specific needs, adding or removing items as necessary. This adaptability allows for continuous improvement in board meeting effectiveness.

A word of caution

While consent agendas offer many advantages, it’s essential for organizations to strike the right balance. Not all matters should be placed on a consent agenda, and organizations should remain vigilant about ensuring that significant decisions receive the appropriate level of scrutiny and discussion. When used judiciously, consent agendas are a powerful tool for enhancing board efficiency and effectiveness.

Specific procedures for consent board meetings may vary between organizations. Some organizations may have strict rules about which items can be included in the consent agenda, while others may allow board members to suggest moving items to the regular discussion portion if they have any concerns.

Transparency and accountability are essential in consent agendas. Minutes should be kept to record the decisions made during the meeting, including any changes to the consent agenda and the outcomes of votes (or consensus results) on individual items. This helps ensure that the decision-making process is transparent and in accordance with the organization’s bylaws and regulations.

Resources

Health and Human Service Nonprofit Standards: A BDO Benchmarking Survey, now in its fifth year, helps industry leaders understand how their organization’s activity compares with peers. BDO’s snapshot for health and human service organizations is packed with subsector-specific insights and exclusive industry data offering concrete guidance to help HHS leaders drive their mission forward.

If you are seeking a Board self-assessment process, the legendary Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE shared hers with us which you can use, too. Further, here are a dozen ways to keep board members engaged, interested, and actively involved drawn from nonprofit leaders interviewed by Forbes Nonprofit Council.

Think of the lavish gift you’ll give to your nonprofit by preserving the board’s time to focus on the really important issues.

Perhaps you’ll want to share this blog post with your board’s executive committee to generate discussion?

Have you used consent agendas? What challenges or success stories have you experienced in using them? Let us know your experience in the comments below.

The post Consent Agendas Can Improve Health And Human Services Board Meetings At A Critical Time appeared first on Bloomerang.