Heifer Board Gives 100%

By Brooke Edwards

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: January 30, 2013

The Heifer International Board of Directors has achieved a 100 percent personal giving level for fiscal year 2013. We are excited for and proud of our board's fundraising committee, and especially the committee chair, Francine Anthony, for this accomplishment!

Board giving

From Francine Anthony:

My dear committee members all know how fond I am of using quotes, so in keeping in character, I leave you with the following from the late, great Arthur Ashe - “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.”

Thank you each and every one of you for contributing to Heifer International's ability to "make a life" for so many unfortunate others across the globe.

If you're not a member of a nonprofit board or staff, it may be difficult to know why this is such a big deal. Here are some reasons, from BoardSource:

  • Board member giving is a public commitment to the organization’s work;
  • Board members might pay increased attention to the nonprofit’s mission and financial health when their own money is engaged;
  • Many other donors and institutional funders will not give to organizations that don’t have 100 percent board participation as current donors

Despite all of these great reasons, 100 percent board giving is in the minority. According to a survey by BoardSource (summary here), 68 percent of nonprofits surveyed have a policy requiring board members to donate to the organization; average board participation is 74 percent, and only 46 percent of nonprofit boards had 100 percent participation.

Our board reaching 100 percent personal giving is exciting, because they are publicly demonstrating how committed they are to Heifer International's success.

Are you part of the nonprofit sector? How do you feel about the importance of board giving? Tell us in the comments section below.