A board portal can significantly improve attendance and participation for a nonprofit board of directors by addressing key challenges like communication, accessibility, and engagement. Here’s how: 

Centralized Information Hub 

Board members are busy people. They often have full-time careers, and may also serve on multiple boards. When they do engage in board activity, it is imperative that they can access the information they need quickly, without having to search through emails, texts, or both.  

Key points: 

• Easy Access to Documents: Board members can access agendas, meeting minutes, policies, and reports in one place, reducing last-minute confusion or missing information. 
• Consistency: Ensures everyone is working with the most updated version of documents, which encourages preparation and meaningful participation. 

Improved Scheduling 

Board portals typically offer a centralized, shareable calendar. By providing board members with a calendar of upcoming board and committee meetings, it is easy to plan for future events and avoid potential scheduling conflicts with other personal or professional responsibilities.  

Key points: 

• Integrated Calendar Features: Many portals sync with personal calendars, sending automated reminders about upcoming meetings. 
• Doodle-like Scheduling Tools: Some platforms help find meeting times that work best for everyone, minimizing scheduling conflicts. 

Remote Participation 

Virtual meetings are commonplace today – and for good reasons. Virtual meetings save time, and enable talented individuals to serve on boards, who might otherwise be unable to do so. Another main benefit of virtual meetings is that they can be recorded, thereby enabling individuals to participate, albeit passively, at a later date. 

Key points: 

• Virtual Meeting Integration: Many portals support video conferencing tools (like Zoom or Microsoft Teams), enabling participation from anywhere. 
• Accessibility: Members who can’t attend in person can stay involved, which is particularly beneficial for geographically diverse boards. 

Enhanced Communication 

A board portal makes it easy to comment and collaborate on topics between meetings. Instead of having to arrange a conference call, or send a group email, folloe-up items can be posted directly to the board portal.  

Key Points: 

• Message Boards and Chat Features: Enable discussions outside formal meetings, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration. 
• Real-Time Updates: Instant notifications for changes or urgent updates keep members informed and engaged. 

Encourages Accountability 

A board’s effectiveness is directly related to the support provided by, and participation of, its members. A board portal enables the board chair and executive director to easily track board member participation in board activities, and also assign and monitor tasks given to board members.   

Key points: 

• Attendance Tracking: Some portals allow the organization to track attendance patterns and follow up with members who miss meetings. 
• Task Management Tools: Board members can receive, track, and complete assigned tasks, ensuring they remain actively involved in board activities. 

Streamlined Voting and Decision-Making 

Participation is increased when people know that their input is requested. If it is easy to solicit board member opinions, it is more likely that a board chair or executive director will do so. A board portal can also improve decision-making by organizing board member responses in one place. 

Key points: 

• E-Voting Capabilities: Members can vote on issues even if they’re not physically present, which reduces delays in decision-making. 
• Polls and Surveys: Allow quick input from members on non-critical decisions, promoting a sense of inclusion and responsiveness. 

Fosters Engagement Through Analytics 

It is a fact that people are more engaged when they know others are aware of their participation. A board portal provides is an opportunity for board members to not only increase participation in board activities, but also demonstrate their engagement in the organization’s mission to others. to others. 

Key points: 

• Usage Metrics: Admins can track how often members log in, view documents, or participate in discussions, identifying areas for increased engagement. 
• Feedback Tools: Regularly collect feedback on board operations to adjust processes and improve member satisfaction. 

Time Efficiency 

A board portal improves overall efficiency both before, and after, board meetings.  

Key Points: 

• Pre-Meeting Preparation: Automated agendas and reports provide members with adequate preparation time, leading to more productive and focused discussions. 
• Post-Meeting Summaries: Easily accessible action points and minutes keep members aligned and motivated. 

Summary 

By making meetings more accessible, communication more effective, and tasks easier to manage, a board portal can encourage active participation and higher attendance rates for nonprofit boards. 

Our partners at Cerini & Associates have just released the 2024 Nonprofit Fundraising Guide!

This comprehensive virtual guide is chock full of key insights around:

• Fundraising Trends
• Giving statistics
• Giving Tuesday strategies
• Leveraging board members
• Using AI for fundraising & events

CLICK HERE to view this virtual resource!

Leveraging board members for relationship-building and fundraising is a strategic approach for nonprofit organizations.

Board members are an often underutilized and untapped resource – that’s why we hosted a webinar called “Stop Leaving Money on the Table” focused on a variety of indirect tactics where board members can be activated.

Here’s 10 top ways to do this effectively:

1. Recruit Fundraising-Oriented Board Members:
Ensure that when recruiting new board members, fundraising is clearly communicated as part of their role. Look for individuals with strong networks and a passion for your cause.

2. Set Clear Expectations:
Clearly outline responsibilities in board member agreements, including targets and types of involvement, such as event hosting, personal asks, or introductions to potential donors.

3. Provide Training and Support:
Offer training sessions to equip board members with the skills needed for effective fundraising, such as making a pitch, cultivating donors, and building relationships. We at BellesBoard provide various templates and materials via our AI-Powered Fundraising Coach to help them feel comfortable and confident in fundraising situations.

4. Leverage Personal Networks:
Encourage board members to tap into their networks for potential donors, sponsors, and partners. Provide them with tools like personalized outreach materials or event invitations they can share.

5. Engage in Stewardship Activities:
Involve board members in donor recognition and stewardship activities. This can include thank-you calls, writing personal notes, or attending donor appreciation events.

6. Host Events:
Use board members to host fundraising events at their homes or businesses, or to sponsor tables at galas and other events. This can help introduce new people to your organization in a personal and intimate setting.

7. Make Personal Asks:
Board members can make significant contributions by personally asking their peers and networks to support the organization. They can also accompany staff on donor visits.

8. Recognition and Appreciation:
Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of board members in fundraising activities. Recognize their contributions in newsletters, at events, and during board meetings.

9. Provide Access to Resources:
Equip board members with digital tools and platforms that make it easy to share information about the organization and facilitate donations.

10. Regular Communication:
Keep board members informed about fundraising goals, successes, and challenges. Regular updates in a central secure portal (like BellesBoard!) will help maintain their engagement and allow them to see the impact of their efforts.

By involving board members in these ways, nonprofits can expand their reach, build stronger relationships with donors, and ultimately increase their fundraising success.

BellesBoard’s integration with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT provides a solution for connecting board members, fundraising staff and donors/prospects around all of the tactics above in an intuitive way. To learn more, click here.

Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in the fabric of today’s society. In one way or another, nonprofit organizations want to change the world for the better. Those are not just words. As stated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to qualify as a nonprofit, an organization must serve the public good in some way.

According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), there are more than 1.8 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, including public charities, private foundations, chambers of commerce, fraternal organizations, and civic leagues. 

With these statements as a backdrop, it is a “no-brainer” to take advantage of anything that helps nonprofits increase the amount of good they do to improve the lives of millions.  One of the most effective ways to do this is using a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use board portal.

The remainder of this article will identify nine ways that nonprofit organizations benefit from using a board portal.

1. Fundraising – For-profit organizations have systems in place to sell their products and services. The better the product or service, the greater the revenue. Nonprofit organizations must have a similar mindset. Nonprofit organizations must also have systems in place to plan, execute, and measure their fundraising efforts. 
2. Board Engagement – A board portal creates an environment for board members to be more involved in the mission of the organization, beyond attending board and committee meetings.  Here are two examples. Board members are busy people. Anything that saves them time is valuable. A board portal puts all relevant information in one place – easy to find, and eliminating searching through emails. Secondly, a good board portal should also have a mobile app, so board members have access to everything they need 24/7. 
3. Mission Sustainability – I refer to organizations that do not have a board portal as the “lost and Found department. Board rosters change every year. Without a board portal, institutional knowledge is ”lost” when members cycle off the board. Similarly, when new members join the board, that knowledge is not always “found”.  
4. Increase Organizational Performance – A board portal improves organizational performance in several ways. Here are just two. A board portal serves as the “single source of truth” for board information. By organizing current governance documents in a centralized location, better decision-making will occur, as well as more informed advice provided. Secondly, board members are more productive when required information is easily, and quickly, available when needed. 
5. Increase Constituent Satisfaction – If a board portal, as described above, helps improve mission impact, then it stands to reason that the people served by the organization will likewise benefit. Increased financial stability means more people can be served, and for a longer period. It is more likely that those served will stand a better chance of receiving assistance going forward as the sustainability of the organization increases.
6. Save Administrative Time – A board portal provides a better way to manage meetings, events, and governance documents. Eliminate spreadsheets, paper, scanning, and printing by organizing all relevant application process information in a centralized portal and mobile device.  Streamlines and improves communication with the Nominating Committee 
7. Recruiting New Board Members – As organizations look to recruit new board members, the potential candidates are younger, and more comfortable with tools. They expect that an organization will have tools and technology to help them fulfill their expected responsibilities. In fact, not have access to a board portal will be seen as deterrent to joining 
8. Convenience – A portal enables members to attend board and committee meetings remotely when it is not convenient to attend in person. A board portal also enables an organization to retain key talent if an individual relocates because all board information is available in a secure environment in the cloud.
   Documents that require a signature can be done electronically, thereby eliminating the need to print and scan documents.
9. Security – aboard portal is more secure that printing board packets of emailing documents. Information is available on a secure server that is only accessible with a unique login. Information is backed up nightly

Summary
The above information is by no means a complete list of the benefits available to an organization. Feel free to contact Frank Orzo at forzo@bellesboard.com if you wish to discuss any of this information in more detail.

Using a board portal can significantly improve the recruitment process for new nonprofit board members. This happens in two distinct ways. A board  portal: 

• Increases the likelihood that an individual will want to join the board
• Supports more efficiency in your recruitment process. 

“Professionalize the Perception of Your Board” 

Potential board members are typically busy people, with multiple responsibilities and obligations. Anything that can save these individuals time and increase their efficiency is going to be seen as a benefit. In fact, the absence of a board portal will be seen as an impediment when an individual is considering joining aboard. 

Ray Mohler, President of the Little Saint Nick Foundation, said having a board portal in place is a key factor in a new board member’s decision to join his  organization. 

Another way that a board portal can be useful in an organization’s recruitment efforts involves facilitating member engagement.  

Since members do not engage with board activity on a regular basis, it is important that when a board member needs to find information, they can do so quickly, without having to search through emails, files, and paper documents. Showing a potential recruit how easy it is to find information will be another attraction when considering joining the board. 

Also, as boards look to recruit new, and younger members, these individuals will typically expect that the organization is using technology to make their involvement as efficient as possible. 

Obviously, a new board member must relate to and embrace the organization’s mission. Demonstrating that the organization also operates efficiently and professionally will further increase the likelihood that an individual will want to join the board.

Here are some specific benefits that a board portal provides in the recruitment of new members. 

1. Centralized Information: A board portal provides a centralized platform where all relevant information about the organization, including its mission, vision, strategic goals, financial reports, and governance  documents can be stored, and accessed. This makes it easier for potential board members to learn about the organization and its  activities, thereby facilitating the recruitment process. 
2. Document Sharing and Collaboration: Board portals enable seamless document sharing and collaboration among board members and potential recruits. Organizations can share board meeting agendas, minutes, and other important documents with prospective board members, allowing them to get a better understanding of the organization’s operations and governance practices. 
3. Secure Communication: Board portals offer secure communication channels for discussions and interactions between current board members and potential recruits. Organizations can use these channels to communicate with prospective board members, answer their questions, and provide them with additional information about the organization and its board structure. 
4. Customized Access Levels: Board portals allow organizations to set customized access levels for different users, including potential board  members. This ensures that sensitive information is protected while still providing potential recruits with access to relevant documents and resources needed to make informed decisions about joining the board. 
5. Virtual Meetings and Presentations: Board portals often include features for hosting virtual meetings and presentations. Organizations can use  these features to conduct virtual interviews with potential board members, showcase presentations about the organization’s mission and activities, and facilitate discussions about the role and expectations of board membership. 
6. Tracking and Reporting: Board portals provide tools for tracking recruitment activities and generating reports on the status of board recruitment efforts. Organizations can use these tools to monitor the  progress of recruitment campaigns, track interactions with potential recruits, and evaluate the effectiveness of different recruitment strategies. 

Increase the Overall Efficiency of Your Recruitment Process

Here are some specific examples of how it does so:

1. Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity: By streamlining the recruitment process and providing easy access to relevant information and resources, board portals can help nonprofit organizations save time and resources while improving its overall efficiency and productivity. 
2. Define Board Member Profiles: A board portal enables the organization to outline the skills, expertise, and attributes needed in potential board members. This can help in targeting individuals who possess the specific qualities needed to support the organization’s mission and goals. 
3. Offer Board Training and Orientation: A board portal will enable the organization to offer comprehensive training and orientation sessions to familiarize new board members. This can help onboard new members more effectively and ensure they are well-prepared to contribute to the board’s work. 
4. Cultivate Relationships: A board portal can be used to build strong relationships with potential board members over time by involving them in volunteer opportunities, committee work, or other roles within the organization. This can help cultivate their interest in board service and  demonstrate the value of their involvement. 
5. Provide Ongoing Support and Recognition: A board portal makes the experience of supporting the organization’s mission more rewarding and satisfying. A positive board culture and supportive environment can help attract and retain new members. 

Summary 

By implementing these strategies, nonprofit organizations can enhance their recruitment efforts and attract qualified individuals who are passionate about advancing the organization’s mission and making a positive impact in the community. For more information, schedule a BellesBoard demo or contact Frank Orzo, Co-founder of BellesBoard and Nonprofit Sector Strategies PBC, at 516-902-4638, or forzo@bellesboard.com.

Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the leading provider of software for powering social impact, today announced the newest cohort of participants in its Social Good Startup Program.

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In today’s competitive and crowded nonprofit sector, organizations must be efficient and effective to maximize their social impact. Here are some of the ways that an organization can achieve this goal.

Programs and Fundraising

A board portal greatly reduces the reliance on emails and phone calls to communicate among board members and administrative staff. Many manual activities and repetitive tasks are eliminated. The efficiencies that result enables an organization to shift staff resources from administrative tasks to other activities, such as programs or fundraising.

Our research shows that even small nonprofit organizations can save upwards of $9,000 in recovered staff time. This staff time can then be shifted to other activities such as programs or fundraising. This has the effect of adding $9,000 in resources towards mission-related activities. 

This will result in an organization having more resources available to achieve its mission and improve its social impact. 

Board Engagement 

Forward-thinking organizations are using board portals to increase the collaboration between the organization’s board, executive team, and administrative staff.

Board members are busy people. By giving them an easy-to-use way to get information when the want it, it naturally follows that they will be more engaged. 

An engaged board member is more likely to support the organization’s mission.

Recruitment 

Organizations must always be on the lookout for new board members to ensure its sustainability, and by extension, its social impact.

Potential board members often have multiple organizations to choose from when deciding to join a board. Having a board portal can serve as an advantage and differentiator when attempting to make one organization more attractive than another in the decision process.

Implementation

While no two organizations are exactly alike, there are several specific ways that a board portal will have a positive effect on an organization’s social impact:

• improved communication among board members and organizational leadership by providing a centralized, easy-to-use information platform;

• Ensuring that the organization’s sensitive information such as board and  committee minutes and financial data are secure, and not compromised;

• Make it easy for an organization to manage current, active documents, as well as preserve the organization’s institutional knowledge; 

• Maximize board member engagement by providing accessibility 24/7 from any device, including PC, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone;

• Since no two organizations are alike, ensure that the portal is flexible enough to support different information management requirements;

• Improve programs and iincrease fundraising with features such as a collaborative workspace, electronic signature, polling, voting and can integrate with other software applications that serve mission-driven organizations;

• Make it inviting and easy to use for board members.

Summary

A board portal that is easy to use and provides many, if not all, or the above features, will pay for itself several times over and have a positive effect on an organization’s social impact.

When deciding to implement a board portal, make sure to choose a  vendor that has a solid track record and support team.

For more information, contact Frank Orzo, co-founder of Nonprofit Sector Strategies PBC, at 516-902-4638, or forzo@nonprofitsectorstrategies.com.

While we typically talk about the core features of having a digital platform designed to streamline and enhance the governance and operations, with this blog we are excited to highlight the ways a nonprofit board portal can play a significant role in enhancing board involvement in fundraising efforts. 

This is an area where we on the BellesBoard team have wanted to make an impact for quite some time — and now we are thrilled to announce a new partnership (and product integration!) with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT that’s tying it all together!

Blackbaud is the world’s leading software platform for social good. BellesBoard seamlessly integrates with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT to provide an AI-powered fundraising coach for your board members.

Here’s how your board portal can support your organization’s fundraising efforts:

1. Access to (Curated) Donor Information: BellesBoard provides board members with secure access to donor information directly from RE NXT, including donor histories, giving patterns, and contact details. This enables board members to better understand the donor base and identify potential major donors or supporters. Development staff can now “assign” board members to particular prospects.
2. Real-Time Fundraising Updates: Board members can use the portal to access real-time fundraising updates, such as campaign progress, donation totals, and fundraising goals. Having this information readily available keeps board members informed and engaged in fundraising initiatives.
3. Resource Sharing: The portal can serve as a repository for fundraising resources, including grant proposals, fundraising plans, and marketing materials. Board members can access these resources to help promote fundraising activities, solicit donations, and support grant applications.
4. Communication and Collaboration: BellesBoard facilitates communication and collaboration among board members and fundraising teams. Board members can participate in discussions, offer insights, and provide guidance to fundraising staff, helping to align fundraising efforts with the organization’s mission and goals.
5. Donor Stewardship: Board members can use the portal to stay updated on donor stewardship efforts. They can review thank-you letters, acknowledgments, and reports on how donor contributions are making an impact. This can help board members personally engage with donors and express gratitude for their support.
6. Setting Fundraising Goals: The portal can be used to set and track fundraising goals, allowing board members to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed. This ensures that the board remains actively involved in shaping fundraising priorities and strategies. Track it all directly from your RE NXT Actions!
7. Transparency: Transparency is essential in fundraising. A board portal can help maintain transparency by providing access to financial reports, budgets, and fundraising performance metrics. Board members can use this data to ask informed questions and make data-driven decisions related to fundraising.
8. Board Fundraising Committees: Many nonprofits have fundraising committees within their boards. A board portal can serve as a valuable platform for these committees to coordinate their efforts, share information, and track progress toward fundraising goals.
9. Training and Education: The portal can host training materials and resources related to fundraising techniques, donor cultivation, and ethical fundraising practices. This is where our AI-Powered Fundraising Coach comes in!
10. Task Management: Board portals often include task management and assignment features, which can be used to delegate fundraising-related responsibilities and track progress on specific fundraising initiatives.

In summary, a nonprofit board portal can help board members become more engaged in fundraising efforts by providing them with access to information, resources, and tools that support fundraising activities.

This increased involvement can lead to more effective fundraising campaigns and better collaboration between the board and the fundraising team.

Stay tuned to learn more about how we’re supporting this through our partnership with Raiser’s Edge NXT!