Why Board Giving Is Essential and How to Make It Smarter

Lily Johnson
May 21
2 min read

Board members play a critical role in the success of any nonprofit. They provide leadership, strategic guidance, and, just as importantly, financial support. Yet, too often, board giving is treated as an afterthought or a box to check during annual planning.

The reality is this: board giving is one of the most powerful tools your organization has to inspire broader support, demonstrate credibility, and build long-term sustainability.

Why Should Board Members Give?

According to BoardSource, “each board should determine its own personal giving policy.” But for organizations that fundraise, the target should be clear: 100% board participation.

Here’s why personal contributions from board members are not just encouraged—they’re essential:

Leadership by example: A board that gives signals to staff, donors, and funders that the mission is worth investing in.
Fundraising leverage: Board members are more effective ambassadors when they can say, “I give, too.”
Grant eligibility: Many foundations only give to nonprofits where all board members are donors.
Mission alignment: Giving is a tangible expression of belief in your organization's work.

If your board isn’t yet fully engaged in giving, now is the time to change that narrative.

Move from Casual Commitment to Smart, Multi-Year Support

Board members want to help, but they also want clarity. They want to understand expectations, and they want their contributions to be handled professionally. That’s where Givzey makes a difference.

Givzey’s Gift Agreement Platform transforms the giving experience for both your board and your development team by making it easy to:

Create clear, professional, and custom-branded gift agreements
Offer multi-year giving options that align with your board members’ terms
Track board giving via the live dashboard and celebrate 100% participation as early in the year as possible
Present giving as a leadership action, not just a financial transaction

Why Customization Matters for Board Stewardship

A gift agreement isn’t just paperwork. It’s a reflection of your values and your respect for your board members’ generosity.

With Givzey, you can:

Customize templates to reflect your brand, voice, and tone
Acknowledge the impact of each board member’s support
Use agreements as tools to educate and steward board donors

By presenting board giving in a strategic, polished way, you reinforce a culture of philanthropy and commitment that can ripple throughout your entire organization.

Givzey Helps You Build a Culture of Board Giving

Whether you’re trying to increase participation, secure multi-year commitments, or improve transparency, Givzey gives you the tools to lead with clarity, professionalism, and confidence.