What Will Get Us Through 2026? Each Other. Why Board Leadership Matters More Than Ever Right Now

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re somewhere in the middle of your fiscal year.

The holidays are behind us.
The adrenaline has worn off.
The numbers are real.
And the state of the nonprofit sector heading into 2026 feels… unsettling.

Between economic uncertainty, political volatility, donor fatigue, staffing shortages, and ever-growing community need, many nonprofit leaders are quietly asking the same question:

How are we supposed to do this?

My honest answer, after decades in this work, is this:

We move through this together.

Community is not a “nice to have.”
It is the single most important ingredient in the future of our social safety net.

And today, I want to talk specifically about one of the most powerful (and for many, underutilized) sources of community power we already have: our boards.

We could, and should, talk about our board members’ roles in advocacy. That matters deeply.
But I’m The Philanthropy Coach, so today we’re going to focus on something equally essential:

How we keep board members inspired to participate in – dare I say – lead fundraising.

Because the organizations that will not just survive but stabilize and grow their impact in 2026 will be the ones whose boards are engaged, connected, and confident in this work.

First, a Reframe: Your Board Doesn’t Hate Fundraising

I say this in every Fire Up Your Board for Fundraising workshop, and it always lands:

Most board members don’t hate fundraising.
They hate feeling awkward, ineffective, or unsure what to do.

They joined your board because they care about the mission.
They want to help.
They just need your leadership, clarity, and permission.

So let’s talk about how we provide that – starting with three core principles.

1. Simplify the Role: Fundraising Is Not Sales

One of the fastest ways to shut a board down is to make fundraising feel transactional in nature, like sales targets they must meet or else! 

Instead, anchor them in three roles that everyone can do well:

• Connection – Opening doors, making introductions, helping expand the circle.
• Storytelling – Sharing why they care and what they’ve seen the mission make possible.
• Gratitude – Thanking donors, partners, and volunteers in meaningful, human ways.

When board members understand that fundraising is about community, building relationships, not transactions, something shifts. Confidence grows. Participation follows.

2. Trade Pressure for Partnership

In moments of uncertainty pressure tactics can backfire.

What works instead is partnership.

That means:

• Giving board members clear, doable actions with reasonable deadlines
• Explaining why their involvement matters right now – even if you think it’s obvious
• Recognize and celebrate the impact of their efforts, even when the win is small (those small wins add up overtime when we’re building community)

When leaders treat board members like allies rather than assets, boards show up differently.

They lean in.
They ask better questions.
They stop disappearing when it’s time to talk about fundraising.

3. Build Culture To Build Revenue

Here’s the part that doesn’t get said often enough:

Fundraising follows culture.

If your board meetings feel transactional, rushed, or tense, that energy will show up in your fundraising. If board members feel disconnected from one another—or unclear about how they fit into the bigger picture—they’re far less likely to lean into relationship-based work with donors.

On the other hand, when boards feel seen, valued, and genuinely connected, something powerful happens. People show up differently. They speak more freely. They take ownership. And they naturally want to invite others into a community that feels good to belong to.

Building that culture doesn’t require a retreat or a reorg. It often starts with small, intentional choices, like:

• Opening board meetings with a brief mission moment or personal reflection instead of jumping straight into reports.
• Making space for board members to share why this work matters to them right now.
• Celebrating small wins—introductions made, thank-you notes sent, conversations started.
• Naming effort as much as outcome so people feel encouraged to participate.
• Using between-meeting communications to reinforce belonging (“Here’s what we’re proud of this month” vs. “Here’s what’s still not done”)
  

One more time for the folks in the back:

Community-building isn’t separate from fundraising—it is fundraising.

And in a sector that’s feeling fragile right now, boards have a powerful opportunity to model steadiness, generosity, and shared responsibility—not just in what they fund, but in how they show up for one another and the mission they serve.

Why This Matters Right Now

As we move deeper into 2026, many nonprofit leaders are carrying fear quietly:

• Will donors stay engaged?
• Will funding priorities shift?
• Will we be able to meet the ever-growing need?

Our sector doesn’t need leaders who pretend everything is fine.
We need leaders who invite their full community – boards included – into honest, hopeful accountable partnership.

You don’t have to do this alone. In fact, you can’t.

Let the community do what it has always done best in this sector: carry us forward.

Hannah 💗

ThePhilanthropyCoach.com