How to Convince Your Board

On average, GiveSmart team members have 10 years of experience in nonprofit and/or tech, and we know the concerns and bottlenecks stopping some organizations from reaching their greater fundraising potential.

Most board members have not had direct fundraising roles, and may not understand donor experience, ease of use and reporting, and support needs. We’ve gathered some common concerns from board members and ways to respond to help them get on board with a new fundraising platform.

“We already have systems in place.”

The board may not have insights into the day-to-day functionality of your current software and systems, or their shortcomings. Explain the issues that arise, and why they’re causing inefficiencies within the development, finance, and executive teams, and what is needed to solve them.

“I don’t think it’s worth the investment.”

It’s no surprise boards want to know that money spent on a fundraising platform will be a worthy investment and support cost to raise a dollar. Share with board members that you have asked about transaction, processing, and platform fees while evaluating vendors and that you are certain that the cost presented to them is the final, overall cost. If they feel that the organization doesn’t need additional features or doesn’t want to upgrade to a more expensive fundraising software, share with them the average return on investment (ROI) that nonprofits see in the first year of signing onto the new fundraising platform. Share if you would be saving money with integrations and an all-in-one platform that allows you to stop paying for other platforms and tools.

For example, GiveSmart users raise 10x the ROI within the first year, on average.

“Learning new software can be complicated
and stressful.”

Change can be scary for people, and keeps organizations stuck in the status quo of inefficiency and mediocrity. Communicate to your board if the software of choice offers in-depth training and support to help ease concerns about delays and technical issues. Share reviews you’ve seen about how intuitive a platform is and how easy it is to use and navigate.

“This doesn’t align with our current needs.”

How will this platform grow with our organization into the future? Of course, you have fundraising and donor management needs today, and perhaps you are looking for a new tool because you need one specific thing. Your GiveSmart contract cost is the same whether you use one feature or all of the dozens we offer. So today, text-to-donate or digital wallet payments are at the top of your priority list. Is adding a peer-to-peer event a part of your
five-year plans? Maybe your gala has never had an auction component, but that doesn’t mean it never will. If you choose a platform that doesn’t offer something you don’t need yet, you are unnecessarily limiting yourself. Your mission has a future.
Choose a partner that does more to get you there.

Show an example of successful case studies of other nonprofits making the switch (bonus points if it has a similar mission or location to your own).