Last week, I was talking with a colleague about how this time of year can make or break your fundraising. Spring is full of activity, but with several months still ahead, it feels like anything is possible—achieving big organizational goals, connecting with new prospects, strengthening donor relationships, and securing that major gift that’s been tough to close.

For your board, May is the month that determines whether they enter summer energized and aligned—or drift into June with good intentions and very little follow-through.

If you want a strong year-end, May is when you set the conditions for it.

Why May Is Critical for Board Engagement

By May, most organizations have:

• Launched spring programming and are actively communicating with donors
• Secured some major gifts (while knowing most will come later in the year)
• Entered the fiscal-year home stretch (especially for June 30 year-end organizations)
• Started thinking about the summer slowdown and how to maintain donor engagement

But here’s the challenge: boards often haven’t been given a clear role in this moment.

They’re waiting for direction, while development teams are waiting for them to “step up.” The result? A polite stalemate.

May is your opportunity to break that stalemate.

How to Activate Your Board Before Summer

In May, your role is to provide clarity and direction. This is the moment to:

• Reset expectations for board involvement in fundraising
• Equip board members with simple, actionable tasks
• Build alignment around fall strategy and year-end fundraising goals

Boards don’t need more information—they need clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward.

4 Ways to Strengthen Board Engagement in Your May Meeting

If you have a board or development committee meeting coming up, these four strategies can significantly improve engagement and set you up for year-end success:

1. Start With a Mission Moment That Captures Attention

Skip the routine program update. Instead, share a focused story or example that:

• Demonstrates real impact
• Connects directly to donor motivations
• Reinforces why philanthropic support matters right now

This shifts your board from passive listeners to engaged participants.

2. Share a Clear, Donor-Centered Snapshot

Boards respond best to concise, visual information. Provide a simple snapshot of:

• Year-to-date fundraising performance
• Donor pipeline health (strengths and gaps)
• Key opportunities before the fiscal year ends
• Potential risks if momentum slows

This isn’t about pressure—it’s about transparency and alignment.

3. Make Specific, Actionable Asks

This is where many organizations fall short. Avoid vague requests like “help us connect with donors.”

Instead, give clear, concrete actions, such as:

• Make two thank-you calls to Q1 donors
• Invite one guest to a spring event
• Share a short organizational update with a personal contact

Boards rise to the level of specificity you provide.

4. Offer a Simple Fall Fundraising Preview

You don’t need to present a full campaign plan—just enough to build confidence.

Share:

• What’s coming this fall
• The role board members will play
• How you’ll support them

This reduces uncertainty and builds early buy-in.

How Spring Board Engagement Impacts Year-End Fundraising

A board that enters summer with clarity and momentum will:

• Show up in September ready to engage
• Feel connected to your organization’s direction
• Understand their role in donor relationships
• Build confidence through early, small actions

And confidence is the real driver of board engagement.

If a board member takes a small step in May, they’re far more likely to take a meaningful one in October.

The Bottom Line: Your Board Is Waiting for Direction

Your board is more ready than you think.

They’re not disengaged—they’re waiting for a clear, specific invitation.

May is your chance to give it to them—and set the stage for a successful year-end.