Should Board Members Contribute Financially to the Ministry they Serve or is the Contribution of Time and Energy Enough?

This seems to be every board’s complaint: “I give time and energy, so I don’t have to give money.” Time is valuable, but it does not replace financial giving.
I hear the time contribution excuse from board members all the time – especially board members who do not do much more than attend a monthly or quarterly board meeting. Meeting attendance is important, of course, but if that is all a board member is willing to do, then it is time to move on.

Board members are the people who are closest to the organization, who are most passionate about the mission, and know best how deserving the ministry is of financial support. If these board members are not willing to make a financial investment in the organization, why would a community member, a foundation, or a corporation want to?

It is the ministry’s responsibility to ensure that board members understand the organization’s expectation for board contributions, and that expectation should be clear from the beginning. Occasionally you will be recruiting board members because of their expertise or position of authority but they should still also be committed enough to the ministry to give financially.

If your organization asks ANYONE for a donation, board members should be first to give.

Contributions do not have to be huge, but they should be sacrificial. Everybody, even people who are unemployed, make some charitable contributions. Whether it is $2 or $2 million, board members should be asked to give a gift that would be considered generous given their individual means and abilities.

Consider this: board members must, from time to time, go on solicitation calls or ask others for a contribution. If the board member has made a contribution first, he or she is really asking the prospective donor to join him or her in the support of the organization. This is an easy request.

However, if the board member has not made a contribution, the request feels like begging for charity. No one likes to beg. That is precisely why most board members hate soliciting. They are begging rather than not recruiting.

Foundations and corporations want to know that the board is supporting the organization financially. If the board is looking for funding from the community but is not giving of their own means, the foundation is likely to pass.

Clearly, the answer is “yes, board members must contribute financially” and “no, time contributions alone are not enough.” This may be a tough message for the board. But why would individuals, foundations, and corporations contribute when the board of the ministry does not sufficiently value the ministry by offering financial support? I have been on many donor meetings where the donor asked if I give to the organization myself. I have also seen many grant applications ask for a list of board member contributions. If you want funding from others, you had better be able to answer this question appropriately.

Jeffrey J. Rodman is the founder, President, and CEO of Here-4-You Christian Grant Consulting and Church Grant Writing providing consultation for grant writing and funding development nationally and internationally. Mr. Rodman has a Master Degree in Education, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and is a Certified Grants Specialist (CGS). He is an experienced grant writer, nonprofit executive, and public speaker. Mr. Rodman has written hundreds of proposal to both government and private sources, has secured millions as a consultant, and has an 80% success rate in securing grants.

Here-4-You Christian Grant Consulting
Jeffrey J. Rodman, CFRE, CGS, M.Ed.
President & CEO
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