Over the years we’ve come upon lots of useful fundraising information that we’ve been sharing with you through our website. We’ve also come across some great books on different aspects of raising funds and have decided to start compiling a list of our favorite fundraising books and share it with you! You’ll find books with in-depth information on writing fundraising letters, running your non-profit and of course a fundraising book from the popular “Dummies” series.
Do you know of a great fundraising book that has been of immense help to you? Please tell us! If we publish your recommendation we’ll add your name and your organization’s URL to our site which will help you get more visitors to your site.
The books that made it onto our list are some of the most popular fundraising books and also have the highest customer reviews on Amazon.com:
Excerpt from this book:
"It’s downright unnatural. Your fundraising letter must persuade the recipient to take an action that much of humanity thinks peculiar: to give money away.
…Forget your organization’s needs. Instead focus on the needs, the desires, and the concerns of the people you’re writing to. Your job is to motivate them."
Includes: "Sixty Successful Outer Envelope Teasers, Fifty-four Strong Leads For Fundraising Letters…" and many more tips for writing a perfect fundraising letter.
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
" ‘But I don’t have time to read a book on fundraising!’ If that phrase could have come from your lips, you’re not alone. I’ve worked in some of the hardest-to-fund nonprofits around, and fully appreciate that you may be reading this while simultaneously gulping down lunch and photocopying a grant proposal. But you probably know in your heart…"
Includes: "Developing Your Fundraising Plan, Attracting Individual Supporters, How to Keep the Givers Giving…" and much more to make your fundraising efforts a success!
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
"The mission of your organization isn’t merely important – it’s everything. It describes your noble objectives and the way you touch lives of those you serve – in a way unlike any other organization.
Your mission fuels motivation and ignites the passion. It provides the why that inspires every how. It is the roadmap, the signpost of your organizatio’s direction and destination."
Includes: "It Starts with Integrity, Mission is everything, Why People Give, Wear Your Business Hat…" to make your board as effective as it can be.
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
"Fundraising folks have an old saying: "People don’t give to causes. People give to people with causes." This saying means that, in essence, you’re the important part. Your inspiration, your perspiration, your passion. So that brings us to the Big Question…
What are you passionate about?"
Includes: "Finding – and Winning Over – Donors, Assembling Your Fundraising Toolkit, Leveraging The Internet, On the Fundraising Campaign Trail, Ten Great Opening Lines…" Another great guide by the publisher of the ‘Dummies’ series!
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
"Which would you rather have, if you could only choose from these two options:Someone who reads your stuff but never responds? Or someone who doesn’t read your stuff but sends you a gift? Obviously you’d choose the latter, as would anyone with a dollar goal to make. It’s not ideal, but it pays the bills. I bring up the distinction between reading and acting for an important reason having to do with your workload: to release you from the burden of worrying so much about writing newsletter articles, white papers, and other longer prose pieces."
Includes: "Why your fundraising communications fail to get the results you want; On the delicate subject of committee &board approvals…" This guide gets into the nitty gritty about anything communications related. Not just great for fundraising letters, but also for refining your group’s mission.
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
"The word philantrophy comes from two Greek words meaning "love of people." In modern times this goodwill, or humanitarianism, is often expressed in donations of property, money, or volunteer time to worthy causes. Similarily, the word charity comes from a Latin word meaning "love" in the sense of uncoditional loving, kindness, compassion, and seeking to do good. The roots of these words remind us of the fundamental reasons for the work of most nonprofit organizations."
Includes: "Matching Fundraising Strategies With Financial Needs, When Everyone is a Volunteer, Launching Major Gift Campaigns…" This is a comprehensive guide that covers all aspects fundraising. Worth every penny!
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
"Many organizations are finding it more difficult than ever to get excellent board members…
Therefore, a board should establish a Board Development Committee as a standing board committee. This committee would assume all the roles played by the Nominating Committee. It would have as its responsibility not only obtaining quality board members, but also keeping them."
Includes: "Writing Grants and Getting them Funded, Managing Grants Once You Get Them, Establishing an Outstanging Volunteer Program…" All the basics you need to know about keeping your nonprofit running smoothly.
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
"Designing and producing an event – whether it be a meeting, corporate event, fund-raising gala, conference, convention, incentive or other special event – has been compared to directing a movie but is actually more like a live stage production. It is a high-wire act without the safety nects. Once your event starts there are no second chances. it’s done in one take and there are no dress rehearsals. You can’t yell "cut" and reshoot the scene. You are simply not able to predict the putcome – as you can from a movie script – of how your guests and suppliers will interact and react…"
Includes: "The First Steps: Initial Planning & Budgeting, Organization and Timing, Location Location Location…" Excellent advice on every aspect of planning and running an event.
* * * * * * *
Excerpt from this book:
"Grant writing is one of those topics that seems very technical and esoteric, yet you probably already know more about it than you think you do. But before I go any further, let’s be clear about just what grant writing is and isn’t. Grant writing is the skill or practice of asking for money in the form of a grant from a foundation, corporation, or government agency by crafting a well-considered document (the proposal) that outlines how the money will be used, what receiving the money will accomplish and…"
Includes: "The Practice of Grant Writing, ABCs of Grants, Foundation Primer, Corporation Primer, Government Primer, Individual Donor Primer…" The ins and outs of what a grant is and how to write one to get it funded.
For the most up to date list, click over to our highest rated fundraising books page.
The post Fundraising Books appeared first on Fundraising How Tos and Event Ideas.