Rooney For Nonprofits

Strengthen Your Funding Partnerships

Overview:

Board execution is where your strategic plan comes to life. The board leads execution teams to implement plans across fundraising, marketing, programs, and more, while the founder coaches the board. Accountability systems ensure progress, with the board overseeing teams and the founder holding the board accountable. This step creates a sustainable system for impact.

Instructions for Action:

Host the Execution Kick-Off Meeting (1 Hour)

Schedule a board meeting to present and align on all approved action plans.
Have each board member share their plan, highlighting:

  • Key goals and timelines.
  • Interconnections (e.g., how marketing supports fundraising).
  • Support needed from other board members.
  • Set clear expectations for execution and oversight roles.

Action: Create an agenda using the facilitation guide and hold the meeting within one week.

Launch Fundraising Execution (1 Hour)

Focus on the Resource Development Plan, emphasizing 100% board giving and relationship mapping.
Actions for the board:

  • Complete a confidential giving pledge form (no minimum amount).
  • Map 5-10 relationships from personal networks for outreach.
  • Share transformational stories to attract supporters.
  • Support the board with email/call scripts and donor stewardship guides.
  • Action: As the founder, make the first donation and share your pledge to model commitment, then distribute forms. 

Support Team Execution (Ongoing, 1 Hour/Week)

Ensure board members lead their execution teams by:

  • Setting clear monthly goals.
  • Providing guidance, resources, and obstacle removal.
  • Monitoring progress and reporting to the board.
  • Support board members with training, materials, or connections as needed.

Action: Assign board members to schedule weekly team check-ins (Monday for planning, Friday for review) and provide initial resources.

Establish Accountability Systems (30 Minutes)

Set up accountability for both board and teams:

  • Board to Team: Weekly check-ins, monthly progress reports during board meetings, quarterly performance reviews by the board development committee.
  • Founder to Board: Weekly follow-ups, annual board evaluations, renewed Board Agreements, and
  • Giving Pledges yearly.

Action: Add a “Team Progress” section to the next board meeting agenda and schedule first board check-ins.

Implement Course Correction (Ongoing, 30 Minutes/Week)

When plans face challenges (e.g., volunteer dropout, funding issues), address them collaboratively:

  • Ask: “What have we learned? What’s our next best move?”
  • Work with the responsible board member and full board to pivot.

Action: Review progress in weekly check-ins and document one course correction plan for any identified issue.

Act as the Founder’s Coach (Ongoing, 30 Minutes/Week)

Shift to a coaching role by:

  • Asking: “What support do you need this week?” “What progress are you proud of?”
  • Providing encouragement, resources, and accountability.
  • Modeling commitment (e.g., first to give, map relationships, deliver tasks).

Action: Schedule weekly check-ins with board members to ensure they feel supported and empowered.

Resources:

  • Download facilitation guides, pledge forms, relationship mapping templates, and fundraising scripts.
  • Use a shared document to track team progress, board check-ins, and course corrections.

Next Steps:

  • Hold the Execution Kick-Off Meeting within one week.
  • Begin execution and accountability processes, preparing to sustain momentum long-term.

Mantra: “The board leads, the team executes, and systems drive unstoppable impact.”