The Nonprofit Podcast

Ep 204| The real reason boards struggle with fundraising - Adam Morgan

Jena Lynch, Brittan Stockert & Cara Augspurger Season 6 Episode 204

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0:00 | 23:59

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Your board wants to help with fundraising. But nothing’s moving.

Without clear roles and next steps, board fundraising stalls…and the work falls back on you.

Cara sits down with Adam Morgan, founder of MVP Advisors, to unpack why boards struggle with fundraising and what nonprofits can do to fix it fast.

Cutting through assumptions and getting practical, they dig into how to align board members to the right roles, set clear expectations, and build simple systems that actually get participation without adding more work to your team.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why board fundraising underperformance is rarely a motivation problem, and what's actually driving it
  • A practical framework for matching every board member to a fundraising role that suits their strengths
  • Concrete systems your team can implement without additional staff or budget
  • How to set realistic, structured expectations for newer board members from day one
  • Where boards are commonly misdeployed in fundraising, and how to course-correct
  • The highest-leverage action any board member can take, regardless of their network or experience level

Whether you lead a tiny team or a growing organization, this conversation will give you a framework to bring to your next board meeting.

Chapters:
00:00 Your Board Wants to Help… So Why Isn’t It Working?

02:16 The Real Problem - It’s Not Motivation, It’s Clarity

05:25 Stop Chasing Big Ideas - Do These Simple Things Instead

10:05 The Simple Systems That Make Boards Actually Show Up

14:00 The 4 Roles That Turn Passive Boards into Fundraising Machines

18:45 One Simple Action That Drives Big Impact

Guest Spotlight:
Adam Morgan is the founder of MVP Advisors, where he helps nonprofits strengthen board engagement and build practical, sustainable fundraising strategies. He works with organizations to align leadership, clarify expectations, and unlock the full potential of board-driven fundraising.

Topics Covered
board fundraising | nonprofit leadership | board engagement | fundraising strategy | small nonprofit growth | donor development | governance | fundraising systems

If this sounds familiar, share it with your board chair or leadership team. This is one conversation that can change how your board shows up.

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About Donorbox:
Donorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000 plus organizations process over 3 billion dollars in donations worldwide.

Find out what Donorbox can do for you!

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.

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