New column every Monday: March 17, 2008

"The Fundraising Guru"
by Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein

Last week, I gave you benchmarks for individual board self-assessment, as a way of establishing parameters for successful fundraising. Nonprofits must first gauge the strength of their board before they can hope to approach the outside world for financial support. Fill out that form if you haven't already done so before doing this week's.

This week's benchmarks assess the total board from an individual board member's perspective. It's the next, logical step for every nonprofit to take.

2. Total Board
Self-Assessment

From 0 (Not at all) to 10 (Very)
2.1. How committed do you think THE BOARD AS
A WHOLE is to the goals of ICA USA?..................…0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________

2.2. How committed do you think THE BOARD AS
A WHOLE is to telling others about ICA USA?........0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________


2.3. How serious a loss do you think THE BOARD would
feel it was if ICA USA went out of business?..............0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________


2.4. How committed do you think THE BOARD
is financially to ICA USA?............................................0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________


2.5. How committed do you think THE BOARD
is to getting others to donate to ICA USA?.................0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________

2.6 YOUR TOTAL: _____ of 50

Send your comments and questions to Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein at trendsman@aol.com. He is the author of the bestselling 30 Days to Successful Fundraising, which is available at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, other online booksellers, and bookstores nationwide.

New column every Monday: "The Fundraising Guru," March 10, 2008

Your board members are the engine
that drives your fundraising
by Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein

Your board is the catalyst for all of your fundraising. It takes the lead/opens doors/multiplies itself to make your nonprofit successful. Take Step 1 in determining your board's individual and collective energy by asking each and every board member to fill out the Self-Assessment below.

1. Individual Board Member
Self-Assessment

From 0 (Not at all) to 10 (Very)
1.1. How committed are YOU to the goals
of your nonprofit?.……………..……………………...……0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________


1.2. How committed are YOU to telling others
about your nonprofit?..................................................0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________


1.3. How serious a loss do YOU think it would be
if your nonprofit went out of business?.........................0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________


1.4. How committed are YOU financially to
your nonprofit?.............................................................0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________


1.5. How committed are YOU to getting others
to invest in your nonprofit?.........................................0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are you willing to do to raise your score? _____________________________________________________________

1.6. Your total: ____ of 50

Next week: Take Step 2--Individual board member's assessment of your board's commitment.
Email Stephen Goldstein your questions and comments: trendsman@aol.com.