News & Insights

Fundraising sustainability is the board’s responsibility

In this challenging funding environment, sustainable fundraising is a core governance responsibility, not simply a management KPI.

As part of JBWere’s commitment to strengthening leadership capability in this challenging area, we partnered with Jemma Hartley of The Meliorist and Bruce Waldin of Waldin Marketing to design a two-hour masterclass for trustees and directors of charities and for-purpose organisations. The masterclass challenges participants to consider fundraising not only as an operational activity, but as a core governance discipline.

This programme examines the board’s role in setting fundraising ambition, governing risk, overseeing fundraising performance, supporting management, and maintaining the right boundary between governance and operations. Boards influence the culture, risk appetite, investment settings and long-term decisions that allow fundraising teams to build durable relationships with donors. Boards ensure that fundraising programmes are ethical, disciplined, well-resourced and aligned to purpose.

The Masterclass invites trustees to ask more searching questions about donor relationships, pipeline health, investment in capability, concentration risk, and whether fundraising activity is genuinely aligned to mission. 

Boards are encouraged to move beyond annual budgets and consider its own important, but often under-examined, responsibility to prudently and courageously steward capital for future mission delivery. 

Thank you to the 150+ organisations and trustees across the motu who joined the inaugural JBWere Governance for Fundraising masterclasses earlier in the year for this important kaupapa – your thoughtful and engaged contributions were invaluable. 

Whether you serve on a board, work alongside or report to one, fundraising remains highly relevant for organisations navigating rising needs, tighter funding and changing donor expectations.

Please reach out to your JBWere Adviser or our Philanthropic Services & Family Advisory at Philanthropic.Services@jbwere.co.nz if you would like to know on how we serve charities and other organisations for investment performance and purpose.