Assess the Fundraising Skills of your Board - Learn How
- May 30, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
This video is 4 min. This video shows you how you can easily assess the basic fundraising skills and interests of your board members.
Assess the Fundraising Skills of your Board
Every nonprofit dreams of having a board that actively supports fundraising. But let’s be honest — not every board member is comfortable asking for money. Some freeze, some retreat, some unintentionally offend donors, and some become so uncomfortable they consider stepping off the board.
So what do you do? You don’t force everyone into the same fundraising role.Instead, you assess the fundraising skills of your board so people can contribute in ways that match their strengths, comfort levels, and personalities.
This blog explains how to evaluate your board’s fundraising composition and create a profile that helps each member contribute meaningfully — and willingly.
Learn more now! . . .
WHY ASSESSMENT MATTERS
Board members aren’t fundraising robots. They come with different gifts, temperaments, fears, and talents. When you align their natural strengths with appropriate fundraising responsibilities:
they feel more confident
they stay more engaged
they avoid burnout
donors have better experiences
your fundraising outcomes improve
The key is matching people to roles they want to do — not forcing them into duties they dread.
THE SIX FUNDRAISING ROLES
Leaders
These are your high-level visionaries.They set direction, inspire others, and champion fundraising from the top. Leaders help shape strategy and open doors.
Champions
Enthusiastic advocates who love spreading the word.They energize others, promote campaigns, and rally board members to participate.
Connectors
Natural relationship builders.They introduce prospects, open networks, and help expand your donor base.
Closers
These are your ask-people.They are confident, persuasive, and comfortable sitting down with donors to secure significant gifts.
Hosts
Perfect for events and gatherings.They love welcoming people, organizing socials, and creating environments where donors feel valued.
Supporters
These members don’t want to ask — but they love helping.They write thank-you notes, make follow-up calls, prepare materials, or assist with logistics.
Every board needs all six roles.The magic happens when each member knows their lane.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Watch the accompanying video, then spend time with your board completing a Fundraising Composition Profile. Ask each member:
What fundraising tasks energize you?
What are you naturally good at?
What activities do you want to avoid?
Where can you confidently contribute?
When board members choose roles they enjoy — and are gifted at — they become far more engaged.
SUMMARY
Fundraising success begins with understanding your board’s strengths. Don’t force everyone to “ask.” Instead, identify leaders, champions, connectors, closers, hosts, and supports, and let each board member operate where they shine. The result: a happier, more effective board and stronger fundraising outcomes. Assess the fundraising skills of your board . . . it will greatly help with your fundraising efforts.
Tom Iselin
Rated One of America’s Best Board Retreat
and Strategic Planning Facilitators
About the Author
Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.
Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.
Board Retreats & Strategic Planning
If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!
Board Retreats and Strategic Planning Services:
858.888.2278
