When Your Nonprofit Board Says No

A moment of honesty. Can I tell you one of the most frustrating things I hear as someone who serves nonprofit CEOs and their teams? 

The phrase: “I talked to the Board and they said no.”

Doubling frustrating when the board steps in on day-to-day decisions the CEO should be making. 

This happened the other day. I’ve had multiple conversations with the CEO who is begging for help. She’s awesome and has done so many things well. I really like her.

She wants to learn how to diversify their funding, become less dependent on one very large donor, and learn how to get their organization investment-level ready. 

The problem? She admittedly doesn’t know what she doesn’t know. She’s done fine, but she’s an expert at something other than relational fundraising and wants to invest in learning how to do it!

And because I’ve done this hundreds of times, I can see the money sitting right there.

But, the phrase came like nails on a chalkboard.

“I talked to the Board and they said no. They feel a bigger organization isn’t always better.”

I paused. I reflected. I agreed.

Correct, bigger isn’t always better.

But, that’s only one of the pain points my work with clients solves. Often, it’s not even the most important thing.

But they’re missing the point all together. Here’s what they really said no to:

🏋️Financial stability through diversification 
(Hello, ONE major donor is funding a high percentage of the budget.)

🏋️Financial stability through greater annual fund generation 
(The org is also dependent on earned revenue and corporate sponsorships.)

🏋️Financial strength through a solid reserve fund
(The org needs to build this so they can weather any future storms and take advantage of opportunities that come their way.)

🏋️Organizational stability through increased gen-ops funding for much-needed infrastructure 
(They’re under-investing and everyone is exhausted.)

🏋️A leader who is ready and willing to learn, and knows she doesn’t have the current skill set required
(Honestly, I hope they don’t lose her. She bravely asked for help and they said no).

🏋️AND, growing their budget AND mission
(Correct, bigger isn’t always better. But, right now it’s a strategy to level-set to the number their budget SHOULD be. Their budget doesn’t reflect their true need. And you’ll never grow your mission or programs when that’s the case. That’s just running a strong business.)

Leader - I’m sorry if your board isn’t your biggest cheerleader and provider of what you really need. I'm sorry when they step in on non-policy issues like this. Day-to-day decisions rooted in a Strategic Plan are up to you!

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Whenever you’re ready, here are THREE things you can do next:

👣 Follow me on LinkedIn where I give away insider info every week - the same lessons I teach my clients about attracting larger gen-ops dollars and adding 7-figures + to their bottom line. 

🍎 Read my GUIDE! THE TRUTH ABOUT GIVE/GETS :: Top 5 Reasons Your Board’s Give/Get Is Leaving Thousands (Sometimes Millions) on the Table. See how limiting board members to the Give/Get model restricts gifts in so many ways and keeps your staff from reaching their full fundraising potential. Here to get it.

📈 Work with me to fund your organization’s Strategic Plan and scale your budget by 2 - 5X // If you’re a business-minded CEO already raising MILLIONS but still need more general-operating revenue from individuals and family foundations to invest in growth, you can apply to work with me here.