5. Adam Heuman – How do you get your board to invest in fundraising?

Most fundraisers agree that you won’t achieve serious growth without first investing in fundraising. But how do you actually persuade the board to invest? In this episode of Fundraising Bright Spots, Rob Woods talks to Adam Heuman, Director of Engagement at the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In three separate charities (of varying sizes) Adam has asked the board to invest, and all three times his request has been successful. Rob and Adam talk about what holds many fundraising directors back from even exploring this issue, and why Adam feels it’s such a fundamental challenge to address. And he explains the particular things he does when he prepares a case for investment. Using stories from across his career, Adam explains the crucial question he always asks the board; the particular mistake he once made which wasted loads of time (and what to do instead); and why it’s usually right to start the process even if you don’t yet know all of the answers.