Boards, cold calls make fundraisers anxious

Calling on prospective donors and getting boards involved in fundraising are among fundraisers' most anxiety-producing activities, a new poll says.

Among 838 people who took a Quick Poll on the website of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, about 26 percent of respondents said finding ways to involve board members in development is their most stressful activity.

A close second, at 25 percent, was making cold calls to prospective donors, causing more stress than asking for a gift from a major donor, which 18 percent said makes them most anxious.