The role of the board chair is important and critical for a nonprofit organization. I remember how much I leaned on my new board chair when I was establishing the foundation. He happened to be the CEO of a large foundation, a former college president, and an attorney. I knew I was in good hands. His experiences, knowledge, and understanding of launching a nonprofit were invaluable to me.

One role of the board chair is to support fundraising efforts. I recently interviewed almost a dozen former nonprofit board chairs. They all were successful in securing funds and shared their insights.

Donald Hess, former chair of Indian Springs School Board and other nonprofits, explained how important it is that board chairs know that his/her role is not to run the organization. It is, however, their role to help hire the CEO and develop and implement strategies to move the organization forward.  Be there for the CEO. Be a listener. Be a sounding board. The chair can help identify any problems and alternative solutions and guide the CEO in good decision-making. If necessary, the chair leads efforts to replace the CEO.

Lisa Engel, former chair of The Women’s Fund of Great Birmingham, was highly successful in her leadership role as they completed a $5 million campaign. She met every two weeks with the CEO. She said it was important to clarify early on each of their roles as CEO and board chair. Lisa says to identify and know each other’s strengths. The two had confidence in each other and trusted each other. They had open communications and would collaborate when there were issues to discuss and decisions to be made.

Clearly, understand and clarify your roles as board chair and CEO.

Here are the findings of the top 10 most common themes in the fundraising role of the board chair.

The Board Chair:

1.   Knows and embraces the mission. It is important that the chair be able to clearly articulate the impact the organization has on the community.

2.   Serves as an advocate. The chair represents the nonprofit in the community and serves as the most vocal advocate.

3.   Sets an example for board giving.  The chair must make an annual contribution and make it early each year. Challenge all board members to make a stretch gift – an appropriate and meaningful gift. Board members cannot ask and expect others to give if they are not giving. A donor may respond that they will match what you are giving.

4.  Provides support to the CEO. The chair serves as a sounding board as the CEO navigates staff, donor, or strategic issues. Unless there are serious issues, the Chair is not involved in day-to-day operations.

5.  Ensures policies are in place. At least once a year (or at each board meeting), have board members sign the Conflict of Interest Statement and Letter of Commitment. Emphasize the importance and make this a common practice.

6.  Oversees the annual review of the CEO.  It is the responsibility of the chair to oversee the hiring (and firing) of the CEO. With small nonprofits, the CEO reports to the board. It is the board’s responsibility to conduct an annual review.

7.  Builds board consensus. Effectively presiding at each meeting, the chair should moderate the board so all are working together as one unit. It is important to keep some people from dominating while encouraging others to speak up. Make sure discussions are at a high level.

8.   Focuses on fundraising; Remind the board that a main function is to raise funds for the nonprofit. Not everyone is comfortable with making an ask, so identify how each member can play a role in the donor giving process.

9.   Ensures high achieving board members: The chair flushes out the board to ensure only people with passion are serving. Do not have members serving just because they are nice or liked — they must be able to contribute to the nonprofit in a meaningful way.

10. Is visionary: The chair should be a strategic thinker, is able to make difficult decisions, and leads the board to identify what the nonprofit needs to do to thrive and prosper.

Question: How do you ensure board chair effectiveness?

Nancy Rieves, Ed.D. is a fundraising guide. She provides overwhelmed nonprofit leaders with a roadmap to maximize and sustain major gift fundraising. She prepares leaders to be confident and successful in raising money. Reach her at nancy@nancyrieves.com.