Smart ideas delivered every other Tuesday from Hartsook Companies, Inc.

May 29, 2007

Good board members look at financials, review client service numbers and evaluate personnel. Great board members do this and more. They understand that fundraising is the lifeblood of a nonprofit and willingly:

• Make an annual gift;
• Help identify future prospects - individuals, corporations and foundations;
• Open doors for solicitations and solicit gifts themselves;
• Allow their names and reputations to be used to showcase the organization's great work; and
• Provide oversight - not just of operations but of fundraising, as well.

Great board members believe in ongoing training for themselves and others. They also believe in providing orientation and mentoring to new staff, volunteers and other board members.

Great board members understand that fundraising is about relationship building. They know that major-gift fundraising requires a consistent commitment for a maximum payoff. Savvy board members recognize that the benefits of fundraising go far beyond making money to making magic happen for the organization.

Fundraising Magic #5: Go from good to great as a board member by moving beyond financial statements. Don't just look at the bottom line; effect the bottom line.

Another Smart Idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"Ensure your board has how-to books; continue to provide them training tips on a variety of topics. This builds your current board and develops mentors for new board members as they arrive." - Marci Bowling, Development Center of the Ozarks (Springfield, Mo.)

If you are interested in Best Practices and smart ideas, see these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

• "Fundraising Magic - 33.5 Strategies for Turning Board Members into Money Makers" by Robert G. Swanson (2007, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). This book shares proven strategies you can implement immediately to give Board members the confidence and tools needed to cultivate donors, solicit gifts and strengthen your organization's position in the community. To order this book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union.

• "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas.

For a free copy of "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM" or the "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM", please email Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com.

Interested in Speakers?

Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. To read more, visit http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/speak.shtml or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com to discuss the possibilities.

Visit the Hartsook Companies web site for:

• Educational opportunities
• Books/reference articles
• Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with more than 1,500 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

Our web site is located at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.