Before the Fall Rush: Reset, Realign, and Reengage Your Board

08/23/2025 | Lindsay Simonds Consulting | Uncategorized

The end of summer is a great time to pause, reset, and realign your board. Whether you’re refreshing a strategic plan, prepping for a fall fundraising sprint, or building clarity across your leadership team, this is the time to reengage with clarity and intention.

A Case Study: From Passive Support to Active Leadership

We recently partnered with the Executive Director of a national nonprofit who was navigating a common challenge: a visionary new strategic plan—but a board that hadn’t caught up yet.

Key Activities:

Introduce “ownership” language to shift from passive involvement to active leadership.
Set expectations that 100% of the members of the board will make a personally meaningful contribution – ideally in a multi-year pledge that matches their board service term timeline
Align written commitments with 1:1 follow-ups to strengthen the relationship and ensure accountability.
Ask exiting board members to leave with nominations and a parting gift, establishing a culture of continuity and generosity.

Board Engagement Template: A Tool to Anchor Your Next Conversation

If you’re looking to revisit your board’s roles, responsibilities, or giving expectations, start with a strong foundation.

We’ve created a Board Member Agreement Template—a one-page, customizable resource designed to guide board conversations and align your leadership.

👉 DOWNLOAD LSC – Board Member Agreement Template

Quick Tip on Board Calls:

After a board meeting—especially one where giving or engagement is discussed—take a moment to make it personal.

Here’s how:

Personally call each board member.
Ask how the meeting landed with them.
Clarify next steps on their commitment.
Invite reflection and connection, not just paperwork.

Remember changes to board fundraising and giving expectations should be personalized. Don’t skip the personal touch of a call. This simple touchpoint strengthens the intrinsic connection board members feel with the organization and avoids the trap of formal follow-up fatigue.

Need a Mid-year Strategy Reset? Let’s Talk.

We’re working with organizations this summer to strengthen their board leadership, prep fall campaigns, and align around shared goals.

👉 Book a 30-minute strategy session with Lindsay

Why Board Giving Still Matters

Board giving isn’t just about dollars, it’s about leadership. When board members give, they set a tone of commitment, ownership, and trust. Here’s why that matters:

It inspires others to give. Donors often match the highest board gift but rarely exceed it.
It sets a high bar. In fundraising campaigns, 20–30% of the goal should come from the board or steering committee.
It signals ownership. Board membership is the apex of the Donor Commitment Continuum, where a donor sees the organization’s success and challenges as their own.
It builds credibility. 100% board participation is expected by major donors and foundations.
It doesn’t have to be equal, but it must be meaningful. We expect every board member to make a personally significant contribution that reflects belief in the mission.

When board giving is consistent and aligned with organizational values, it becomes a cornerstone of a resilient fundraising strategy and a powerful reflection of the culture you’re building.

Your board is one of your most valuable assets. Let’s make sure they’re ready to lead.