Your board knows fundraising matters. They know the organization needs resources. They may even agree that fundraising is part of their role. Yet many boards still hesitate to participate. What if the issue isn't a lack of commitment? What if we're sending mixed messages? We tell board members that fundraising is about relationships. We say it's about building community, sharing impact, expressing gratitude, and connecting people to a cause they care about. Then we walk into board meetings...

Once again, I was recently asked: “Why does my board avoid fundraising?” It’s a reframe of a common question. I always hear something underneath it, self-blame. It is as if the Executive Director was quietly asking, What am I doing wrong? I told her, “It may not be your fault. And it may not be your board’s fault either.” She looked at me, slightly puzzled. I said, “It might simply be the language we’re using.” Here’s what science tells us: your brain is constantly scanning for threat or...

Listen to what you’re saying about your board. This one sentence may be shaping more than you realize—your tone, your leadership, and their response “My board won’t fundraise.” It’s a statement I hear from so many Executive Directors and Development leaders. It’s also the statement that has many of you signing up for my courses. And I get it. It usually comes from that familiar frustration: “Once again, the board didn’t step up… didn’t make connections… didn’t bring in the money.” That’s...