Nonprofit Board Builder LLC

BOARD FUNDRAISING MATERIALS

Board Giving Pledge Form

Dear [Board Member Name],

As a board member of [Nonprofit Name], your leadership is vital to our mission to [briefly describe mission, e.g., “empower at-risk youth through arts programs”]. To kickstart our Resource Development Plan, we’re aiming for 100% board giving to demonstrate our commitment to funders.

Your gift, at any level, will help fund [specific need, e.g., “marketing materials, donor events”] and unlock [specific impact, e.g., “$10,000 in new donations”].

Please complete this confidential pledge form by [deadline]. Your contribution shows our collective strength and leadership.

Pledge Details
Name: ______________________________
Gift Amount: $______________________
Payment Type: [ ] One-Time [ ] Monthly [ ] Other: _________
Payment Method: [ ] Check [ ] Online (via [donation link]) [ ] Other: _________
Preferred Recognition: [ ] Public [ ] Anonymous [ ] Other: _________

Comments/Questions:

 
 
Thank you for your commitment to [Nonprofit Name]’s mission. Please return this form to [Founder Name/Contact Info] by [deadline].

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Nonprofit Name]

Notes:

All gifts are confidential and will only be shared with [designated person, e.g., “the founder”] unless you choose public recognition.

Gifts of any size are valued and contribute to our success.

Board Fundraising Scripts

Below are customizable fundraising scripts for board members to use when reaching out to their mapped relationships (individuals, businesses, or organizations) from Step 2. Each script is designed to be authentic, concise, and aligned with your nonprofit’s mission. Edit the placeholders to reflect your organization’s details and the specific ask.

Script 1: Email to an Individual Contact

Purpose: Invite a personal contact (e.g., friend, colleague) to support the resource development plan.

Subject: Join Me in Supporting [Nonprofit Name]’s Mission

Dear [Contact Name],

I hope this message finds you well! As a board member of [Nonprofit Name], I’m excited to share an opportunity to support our work to [briefly describe mission, e.g., “empower at-risk youth through arts programs”].

We’ve developed a Resource Development Plan to secure the funding and resources needed to [specific goal, e.g., “expand our programs to serve 500 more children this year”]. To kickstart this plan, we’re reaching out to trusted friends like you to contribute.

Would you consider a gift of [suggested amount, e.g., “$100-$500”] to help us fund [specific need, e.g., “marketing materials for our donor campaign”]? Your support will unlock [specific impact, e.g., “$10,000 in new donations”].

I’d love to share more about our plans over coffee or a quick call. Please let me know a convenient time, or you can donate directly at [donation link].

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference!

Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Board Member, [Nonprofit Name]
[Your Contact Info]

 

Script 2: Phone Call to a Business Contact

Purpose: Pitch a sponsorship or partnership to a business prospect.

Hello [Contact Name],

This is [Your Name], a board member with [Nonprofit Name]. I’m reaching out because I believe our work to [briefly describe mission, e.g., “improve literacy for children in our community”] aligns with [Business Name]’s commitment to [relevant value, e.g., “community engagement”].

We’ve created a Resource Development Plan to [specific goal, e.g., “raise $50,000 to expand our programs”]. To launch this, we’re seeking partners like you to contribute [specific ask, e.g., “$1,000 to sponsor our next event”]. In return, we can offer [benefit, e.g., “recognition at our event and on our website”].

Could we meet to discuss how a partnership could benefit both [Business Name] and our mission? I’d be happy to share more details.

Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Info]

 

Script 3: In-Person Pitch to a Friend or Colleague

Purpose: Have a casual, face-to-face conversation to secure a gift.

Hi [Contact Name],

It’s been great catching up! I wanted to share something I’m passionate about—my work as a board member with [Nonprofit Name]. We’re doing incredible things, like [specific example, e.g., “helping 200 kids learn to read this year”].

We’ve just developed a plan to grow our impact, but we need to raise [specific amount, e.g., “$5,000”] to get started on [specific need, e.g., “a new donor campaign”]. I’ve pledged [your gift amount, e.g., “$200”] to lead by example, and I’d love for you to join me with a gift of any amount.

Can I share more about our work and how you can help? It’d mean a lot to our [beneficiaries, e.g., “kids”].

Thanks,
[Your Name]

 

Customization Tips:

  • Replace placeholders (e.g., [Nonprofit Name], [specific amount]) with your details.
  • Tailor the tone to match your relationship with the contact (e.g., formal for businesses, personal for friends).
  • Highlight specific benefits for businesses (e.g., branding, community impact).
  • Include a clear call-to-action (e.g., donate, schedule a meeting).

Action Step: Distribute these scripts to board members at the planning session. Ask them to customize and use them for outreach to 2-5 prospects within 30 days.

Board Fundraising Follow-Up Scripts

These follow-up scripts complement the Board Fundraising Scripts provided above. They are designed to help board members reconnect with contacts who haven’t responded to their initial outreach, whether via email, phone, or in-person conversations. The scripts are polite, mission-driven, and customizable, ensuring board members can maintain authentic relationships while securing funds to execute the Resource Development Plan. Use these scripts to nudge prospects gently, reinforcing the importance of their support for [Nonprofit Name]’s mission.

 

Follow-Up Script 1: Email to an Individual Contact

Purpose: Follow up with a personal contact (e.g., friend, colleague) who hasn’t responded to the initial email requesting a donation.

Subject: Following Up on [Nonprofit Name]’s Mission

Dear [Contact Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to touch base after my last email about [Nonprofit Name] and our work to [briefly describe mission, e.g., “empower at-risk youth through arts programs”]. I know life gets busy, so I thought I’d reach out again to share why your support means so much to us.

We’re launching a Resource Development Plan to [specific goal, e.g., “expand our programs to reach 500 more kids this year”], and we need to raise [specific amount, e.g., “$5,000”] to get started on [specific need, e.g., “a donor campaign”]. As someone who [connection to contact, e.g., “shares our passion for education”], I’d love for you to join me in making this happen with a gift of [suggested amount, e.g., “$100-$500”].

Could we hop on a quick call or grab coffee to discuss our work? Alternatively, you can contribute directly at [donation link]. Your support will make a real difference for [beneficiaries, e.g., “kids in our community”].

Thank you for considering this, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Warmly,
[Your Name]  
Board Member, [Nonprofit Name]  
[Your Contact Info]

Customization Tips:

  • Reference the initial email (e.g., “my last email about our mission”).
  • Personalize with a specific connection (e.g., “we talked about this at the last community event”).
  • Keep the tone warm and non-pressuring, offering a meeting or direct donation option.

 

Follow-Up Script 2: Phone Call to a Business Contact

Purpose: Follow up with a business prospect who hasn’t responded to the initial phone call about a sponsorship or partnership.

Hello [Contact Name],

This is [Your Name] from [Nonprofit Name], following up on my call last week about our work to [briefly describe mission, e.g., “improve literacy for children in our community”]. I haven’t heard back and wanted to reconnect, as I believe [Business Name] could be a fantastic partner in our mission.

We’re building a Resource Development Plan to [specific goal, e.g., “raise $50,000 to expand our programs”], and we’re seeking sponsors like you to contribute [specific ask, e.g., “$1,000 to support our next event”]. In return, we can offer [benefit, e.g., “your logo on our event materials and website”], aligning with your commitment to [relevant value, e.g., “community impact”].

Would you have 10 minutes this week to discuss how we can collaborate? I’d love to share more about the impact we’re making and how [Business Name] can be part of it. Please let me know a convenient time or reply to my email at [Your Email].

Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]  
Board Member, [Nonprofit Name]  
[Your Contact Info]

Customization Tips:

  • Mention the initial call to jog their memory (e.g., “my call last week”).
  • Reiterate the specific ask and benefits tailored to the business (e.g., visibility, community goodwill).
  • Offer flexibility for follow-up (e.g., meeting, email, or call).

 

Follow-Up Script 3: In-Person or Email Follow-Up to a Friend or Colleague

Purpose: Follow up with a friend or colleague after an in-person pitch or casual conversation that didn’t result in a commitment.

In-Person Version:

Hi [Contact Name],

Great seeing you the other day! I wanted to circle back on our chat about [Nonprofit Name] and our work to [specific mission, e.g., “help 200 kids learn to read this year”]. I haven’t heard back about whether you’re interested in supporting our Resource Development Plan, so I thought I’d check in.

As I mentioned, I’ve pledged [your gift amount, e.g., “$200”] to help kickstart [specific need, e.g., “our donor campaign”], and I’d love for you to join me with a gift of any amount. It’ll help us [specific impact, e.g., “raise $5,000 to launch new programs”]. 

Can we grab a coffee soon to talk more about how you can get involved? Or, if it’s easier, you can donate directly at [donation link]. I really value your support for [beneficiaries, e.g., “our kids”].

Thanks so much,
[Your Name]

 

Email Version (if in-person follow-up isn’t possible):

Subject: Quick Follow-Up on Supporting [Nonprofit Name]

Hi [Contact Name],

It was great catching up with you recently! I wanted to follow up on our conversation about [Nonprofit Name] and our mission to [specific mission, e.g., “empower kids through literacy programs”]. I haven’t heard back, so I thought I’d reach out again to share why your support would mean so much.

We’re working on a Resource Development Plan to [specific goal, e.g., “raise $5,000 to launch a new donor campaign”]. I’ve committed [your gift amount, e.g., “$200”] to get us started, and I’d love for you to join me with a gift of any size. Your contribution will help [specific impact, e.g., “bring reading programs to 200 more kids”].

Would you be up for a quick chat to learn more? Or you can donate directly at [donation link]. Thanks for considering this—it’s amazing to have you in our corner!

Best,
[Your Name]  
Board Member, [Nonprofit Name]  
[Your Contact Info]

Customization Tips:

  • Reference the specific context of the initial conversation (e.g., “when we talked at the coffee shop”).
  • Keep the tone personal and friendly, emphasizing the shared connection.
  • Offer multiple ways to engage (e.g., meeting, donation link) to reduce pressure.

 

Usage Guidelines

  • Timing: Use these follow-up scripts 5-7 days after the initial outreach if no response is received. This gives prospects enough time to consider the request without letting momentum fade.
  • Tone: Maintain a warm, respectful tone to preserve relationships. Avoid sounding demanding or impatient.
  • Tracking: Ask board members to track their follow-up attempts (e.g., in a shared spreadsheet) to monitor progress and avoid over-contacting prospects.
  • Support: Encourage board members to reach out to the founder or fundraising lead with questions or for coaching on follow-up conversations.
  • Customization: Board members should personalize scripts with details about their relationship with the contact and the nonprofit’s mission.

 

Action Step

  • Distribute these follow-up scripts alongside the original Board Fundraising Scripts during the planning session or post-planning phase.
  • Instruct board members to follow up with their 2-5 assigned prospects within 5-7 days of initial outreach if no response is received.
  • Set a deadline (e.g., 30 days from the planning session) for board members to report back on their outreach and follow-up results.