Give/Get

Why It Matters

• Strengthens Board Commitment: Encourages board members to take an active role in fundraising.
• Ensures Financial Support: Helps nonprofits meet their budget needs through direct contributions or fundraising efforts.
• Signals Credibility to Funders: Funders often expect board members to contribute financially before making major grants.

Common Give/Get Structures

• Fixed Amount: Each board member is required to give or raise a specific sum annually.
• Flexible Approach: Members contribute based on capacity, with an emphasis on fundraising participation.
• Tiered Expectations: Different levels of giving expectations based on a member’s role, capacity, or tenure.

Who Should Know This

• Board Members: To understand their financial responsibility in nonprofit governance.
• Executive Directors: To set clear expectations for board engagement in fundraising.
• Fundraising Teams: To leverage board members’ networks for fundraising success.

Real World Examples

• A nonprofit requires each board member to donate or raise $5,000 annually to support general operations.
• A board member secures sponsorships from local businesses to meet their “get” requirement instead of making a personal contribution.