Nonprofit Lowdown - Episode #350: Transforming Nonprofit Boards
Release Date: August 11, 2025 | Host: Rhea Wong
In Episode #350 of Nonprofit Lowdown, host Rhea Wong teams up with longtime collaborator Brooke Richie Babbage to delve deep into the transformative journey of nonprofit boards. Recorded live at AFP's Fundraising Day in New York, this episode offers actionable insights, strategies, and real-world tactics to elevate nonprofit board performance, particularly in fundraising. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the essence of their conversation.
1. Introduction to Nonprofit Board Transformation
Rhea Wong opens the session by outlining the key topics covered, including fundraising policies, board member assessment tools, and strategies to engage resistant directors. The dynamic between Rhea and Brooke, grounded in over two decades of shared nonprofit experience, sets a collaborative tone for the discussion.
Notable Quote:
"Enough talk. Let's get you a board that raises real money." – Rhea Wong [00:00]
2. Identifying Blockers on the Board
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on recognizing board members who may hinder fundraising efforts. Brooke identifies key indicators of fundraising blockers:
- Fixed Mindset: Resistance to new fundraising approaches, often expressed as "This is how I've always done it." [03:16]
- Undermining Ideas: Board members who dismiss new initiatives or programs, hindering progress.
- Explicit Disclaimers: Statements like "I don't fundraise," signaling potential obstacles from the outset [04:23].
Notable Quote:
"The number of times I have been a board chair where I have had people say to me as they join the board, just so we're clear, I don't fundraise." – Brooke Richie Babbage [04:43]
3. Board Recruitment and Setting Clear Expectations
Rhea and Brooke emphasize the importance of transparent recruitment processes. Clearly outlining fundraising responsibilities during recruitment helps ensure that prospective board members understand and commit to their roles.
Strategies Discussed:
- Clear Communication: Explicitly stating fundraising expectations from the beginning.
- Defining "Give and Get": Establishing what board members are expected to contribute and what they receive in return.
- Alternative Roles: Offering non-fundraising roles for those who wish to support the organization differently [05:40].
Notable Quote:
"Raising money and bringing in resources is part of what it means to be on a board." – Brooke Richie Babbage [05:20]
4. Change Management in Board Culture
Transforming board culture requires both structural and behavioral shifts. Brooke introduces the concept of Soft Pivots and Hard Pivots to gradually implement change:
- Soft Pivots: Introducing new policies and structures, such as shifting board meetings to be more strategic and less report-based [11:59].
- Hard Pivots: Implementing significant changes like adopting a board agreement and redefining meeting structures [15:11].
Metaphor Used:
"Trust for Action is like trusting astronauts with their lives without necessarily being friends." – Brooke Richie Babbage [14:48]
5. Overcoming Fundraising Challenges
Rhea highlights three primary reasons boards often fail to fundraise effectively:
- Lack of Understanding: Board members may not fully grasp their fundraising roles.
- Insufficient Skills: Assuming that professional skills in areas like sales or marketing translate directly to fundraising.
- Money Mindset Issues: Personal traumas and stories about money can hinder effective fundraising efforts [17:02].
Strategies Discussed:
- Two-by-Two Mapping: Assessing board members based on their skill and willingness to fundraise.
- Training and Support: Providing resources and clear processes to empower board members [17:03].
Notable Quote:
"Most millionaires and up are first-generation wealth creators." – Rhea Wong [19:22]
6. Addressing Board Member Money Mindset
Rhea delves into the psychological barriers board members may face regarding fundraising. Exploring personal money narratives helps uncover subconscious resistance.
Key Points:
- Generational Trauma: How family and societal beliefs about money impact fundraising comfort.
- Mindset Shifts: Encouraging board members to reframe their relationship with money to align with fundraising goals [20:18].
Notable Quote:
"The root of fundraising is embedded in your mindset about the story you tell about money and your worthiness to receive it." – Rhea Wong [19:22]
7. Implementing Accountability Structures
Accountability is crucial for effective board performance. Brooke introduces the Trust for Action framework, which emphasizes mutual trust and aligned goals over personal friendships.
Key Components:
- Shared Mission: Ensuring all board members are committed to the organization's mission.
- Board Report Cards: Tools to track and measure individual contributions without making accountability feel punitive [25:34].
- Customized Expectations: Tailoring accountability measures to fit the unique roles and circumstances of each board member.
Notable Quote:
"Accountability is about trust and mutual commitment to the mission, not about being transactional." – Brooke Richie Babbage [25:34]
8. Engaging and Supporting Board Members
Maintaining regular, meaningful communication with board members fosters engagement and reinforces their connection to the mission.
Strategies Discussed:
- Regular Updates: Sending weekly or bi-weekly summaries to keep board members informed and connected [48:42].
- Celebrating Successes: Acknowledging and celebrating when board members fulfill their fundraising roles [46:19].
- Providing Resources: Offering tools like board action menus, templates, and dashboards to facilitate their roles [48:42].
Notable Quote:
"Don't only contact your board members when you need them to do something. Provide them with regular insights and celebrate their contributions." – Rhea Wong [48:42]
9. Handling Difficult Board Members
Addressing underperforming or resistant board members requires tact and structured approaches.
Recommendations:
- Direct Conversations: Engaging in honest discussions about expectations and performance.
- Gradual Transition: Introducing board members to committee roles before full board membership to assess fit [53:01].
- Positive Reinforcement: Focusing on celebrating desired behaviors rather than penalizing failures [46:19].
Notable Quote:
"Do not tolerate mediocrity. Your board members need to be active contributors to your mission." – Rhea Wong [30:09]
10. Conclusion and Resources
Rhea and Brooke wrap up the session by offering additional resources to listeners, including:
- Board Activation Toolkit: Featuring notes, templates, scripts, and mindset exercises.
- Contact Information: Encouraging listeners to reach out via email for personalized support and resources.
Notable Quote:
"If you haven't yet done this, implement a two-by-two mapping of your board members' skill and willingness to fundraise." – Rhea Wong [17:02]
Final Thoughts
Episode #350 of Nonprofit Lowdown serves as an invaluable resource for nonprofit leaders seeking to transform their boards into effective fundraising powerhouses. Through candid discussions, practical tools, and strategic frameworks, Rhea Wong and Brooke Richie Babbage offer a roadmap to overcoming common challenges and fostering a culture of accountability and engagement within nonprofit boards.
For more insights and resources, visit riawong.com or contact Brooke at brooke@brookerichyvavage.com.