20 Best Books On Fundraising (2023 Update)

The end of fundraising why does it cost nonprofits on average $20 to raise $100, while it costs companies only $4? simply put: nonprofits have no leverage. no one has to make a donation. and since most donors have no direct stake in the organizations they support, they make donations out of the goodness of their hearts. if donors feel like writing a check, they will. if they don't, they won't. the end of fundraising turns fundraising on its head, teaching nonprofits how to stop begging for charity and start selling impact. for the first time, nonprofits have economic power. an era where yesterday's "feel good" issues—education, the environment, health care, the arts, and animal rights—now have direct economic consequences and opportunities. nonprofits now have leverage. to use this leverage, nonprofits must learn how to "sell" their impact to a new set of stakeholders. using his fifteen years of experience advising the world's leading nonprofits, foundations, and corporations, jason saul reveals the formula for how nonprofits transcend the paradigm of charitable fundraising and reach true financial sustainability. specifically, this groundbreaking book offers nonprofit professionals a guide to understand the role of social change in our economy capture and communicate impact in simple, compelling terms identify the new market stakeholders that value nonprofit outcomes create powerful value propositions to increase leverage improve the success of a nonprofit's pitches to funders the end of fundraising includes the tools needed to effectively frame, market, and sell a nonprofit organization's impact, and contains step-by-step guidance for creating dynamic new opportunities with a variety of funders.

A succinct and powerful witness that fundraising is a form of ministry and can be a deeply spiritual experience.

What sets rainmaking apart from other books about major gift fundraising is that it presents a framework you can implement immediately to help you raise more money. this book is unique because it isn't based on classroom theory. the strategies and tactics outlined here are field tested, proven, success- ful formulas for securing big gifts. in fact, the tips and tactics in this book have helped us raise more than $250 million over the last three decades. the success of all major donor fundraising efforts relies on people. you've no doubt heard the saying, "people give to people." that's only partly true. in reality, people give to people who inspire passion and compassion in them, and with whom they have trust-based relationships. here's what others have to say about rainmaking: "this how-to book on major gifts is an essential resource for start-up nonprofits and new major gift officers, as well as a skill-sharpener for seasoned professionals." – heather a. mcginness, cnm, cfre, nonprofit consultant & afp master trainer "really good stuff. i have given the book to every member of my staff." – jeffrey r. fulgham, cfre, chief advancement officer, patrick henry family services

Responsive fundraising: the donor-centric framework helping today's leading nonprofits grow giving provides a three-step solution for nonprofit fundraisers looking to overcome the growing generosity crisis. since the 1950s, nonprofits have relied on impersonal outreach to inspire generosity from their donors. they leveraged direct mail, mass marketing and event fundraising to drive donations. in the early 2000s, with the introduction of social media, smartphones and a hyper-connected world, everything changed. the new normal for everyone became transparency, personalization, and a feeling of ever-present engagement. in addition, donors also had new levels of access to information to the causes they cared about. they could read curated news about issues they cared about, research program results and even collect information about nonprofit employees. unfortunately, as expectations evolved, nonprofit fundraisers failed to keep up. the number of donors-to-nonprofits is falling year after year. institutional trust is at an all time low. and burnout from fundraisers continues to climb. if nonprofits don't make a fundamental shift right now, they risk their own future, plus the future of their beneficiaries. responsive fundraising outlines the simple solution for nonprofit fundraisers everywhere. using real-world examples from leading nonprofits, responsive fundraising explains how to take the personalized, donor-centric, connection-building practices most fundraisers reserve for major donors and scale them to work for all donors using the responsive framework. the responsive framework is an ever-evolving cycle where fundraisers listen, connect and suggest giving options to each individual donor based on what they care about most. throughout responsive fundraising, readers will learn what the data tells us about the modern donor and their generosity habits. they will receive step-by-step responsive fundraising plays they can implement right away to improve their current fundraising tactics. plus, they'll get a look into how responsive nonprofits are shifting their internal teams to create a more collaborative, successful organization. the time for change is now. donors deserve it. nonprofits want it. and beneficiaries need it. responsive fundraising: the donor-centric framework helping today's leading nonprofits grow giving will give your nonprofit the best path forward.

This could very well become one of the most important books in our field. it is a breakthrough of a methodology that really works. it's the best antidote i've read on taking the fear out of asking. it will make you successful. if you already are, it will make you more so. the breakthrough concept of the asking styles makes it possible for anyone to become a more effective fundraiser. your asking style is based on your personality and unique set of strengths when asking for gifts. if you've ever said to yourself "i'm not a fundraiser" or "i don't fit the stereotype," embracing your asking style will change your entire mindset. once you understand your strengths-and challenges-you'll be comfortable, confident and effective. you'll have a roadmap for dealing with donors. you'll know what to say, how to conduct meetings, and how to close gifts.

Despite all of the writing on venture capital, there is a missing part of the literature. there has been no book written about raising a venture capital fund. it remains a secret to a few privileged venture capitalists who have gone through this fundraising process. until now . . . this book serves as a guide. it dives into the process of raising a venture capital fund, the how-tos, the unique language of the limited partner (lp) world, secrets of how lps think about fund diligence and alignment, the best practices in fundraising, what works, and how you can best prepare for success. i've written this book after spending a decade investing into venture capital funds at a $30b wealth management firm and a $160b technology company. i've been on both sides of the table, the vc and the lp side. i've been behind the scenes managing every aspect of the fundraising process, investing into 80 funds, and reviewing thousands of fund investments. i also co-founded a company that specifically focuses on co-building venture capital businesses, which includes helping vcs understand the intricate dynamics of raising a venture capital fund. after reading my book, you will gain the knowledge and insights gained from these experiences.

Are you a staff member, a board member or a volunteer of a faith-based, human service, arts, or other nonprofit organization that needs additional funds to accomplish its mission? are there not enough hours in the day to raise the money your agency needs? do your colleagues not have the expertise or interest to generate the needed dollars? do you need a quick source of practical information about ways to raise funds? this book is for individuals who are dedicated to helping their communities but who need useful recommendations on how to raise money. written by two of america's foremost fundraising experts, you will learn how to: develop a clear, efficient fundraising plan. ask for contributions from individuals. hold special events. conduct a capital campaign. and lots more! how many times has a well-meaning board member suggested that you do a golf tournament (gala dinner dance, art auction, walkathon) because the girl scouts (local hospital, rotarians, pba) scored big with theirs–only no one has any experience with such an event? with the essential nonprofit fundraising handbook, you'll learn exactly what to do, step by step, to pull off a successful event of any kind or size, or to raise badly needed funds in a wide variety of other ways.

Being a head of a museum is both challenging and rewarding work. museum leaders and those who aspire to the role are expected to engage donors and members, and raise money effectively; yet, most have received little or no training or support in advancement. this innovative book will guide museum leaders on: how museum leaders should manage their time in every stage of their fundraising and stewardship efforts the importance of board leadership the critical relationship between the museum leader and, if there is one, the chief development officer detailed instruction on "how to ask" mcnay offers lessons that she routinely shares with her arts and cultural clients. some museums do not have a chief development officer or experienced advancement staff. she shares detailed explanations of which fundraising tasks are the most important and which should be undertaken first by museum leadership. she explains annual giving, major giving, capital campaigns, and the museum's endowment. this book is organized into eight chapters: chapter one: three secrets to successful fundraising. museums cannot be supported by tuition alone. therefore, the museum leader needs to devote significant time and attention to fundraising. a museum leader must be able to present the case for support and lead the board and staff in a team effort to ask for funds, all while following a coordinated plan of action. chapter two: fundraising methods by rate of return. a museum fundraising plan should include scheduled direct mail, telephone, event, sponsorship, email, and personal solicitations. effectiveness of all solicitations is enhanced with an accurate database and appropriate stewardship. chapter three: the big ask. the museum leader needs to be able to talk about money–a lot. the greatest reason people give money is because they are asked in person chapter four: forge a lasting partnership with the chief development officer. development is the process of building long-term, positive, and mutually beneficial relationships between donors and the cultural institution. this is best achieved by the combined efforts of the museum leader and the development staff member(s) and volunteers. it is definitely not a one-person job. chapter five: a primary responsibility of the board is to raise money. one hundred percent of board members should participate in fundraising both as donors and in soliciting others to all campaigns at your museum. chapter six: operational funds have less donor appeal, but they are essential. most museums begin their fundraising efforts with the annual fund or membership. you must create a case for annual operating needs and train your volunteers on the importance of unrestricted giving. chapter seven: capital campaigns occur every three to five years, so prepare yourself. everyone is an annual fund prospect. some donors are also capital gift prospects. the top 10 donors are critical to your campaign success. chapter eight: endowment building for the future. the best way to build an endowment for your museum is to initiate a planned giving program.

Create a sustainable revenue model that can propel your mission-driven organization into the future effective fund raising: the trustee's role and beyond is the result of author f. warren mcfarlan’s two decades of research at harvard business school, along with over forty years of active social enterprise board service. this book offers a depth of knowledge and insight that will prove invaluable for trustees, donors, and others related to and responsible for the success of social enterprise. social enterprise organizations have played a vibrant and important role in the usa for the past century. and yet, the business of fundraising has not become any easier or more elegant. in this book, you will discover how to help raise the financial resources that your organization needs to perform its good deeds. this book focuses on the steps and strategies you need to know to secure funding to fulfill your mission. development is the lifeblood of most social enterprises, be they large or small. you’ll also discover how to harness the energies of the right people to ensure the long-term success of your development efforts. learn why an effective, sustainable revenue model is critical to the success of even the most exciting mission-driven organization understand the core elements of the revenue model, including governance, fees, the annual fund, capital fundraising campaigns, planned gifts, and more develop a strong plan for sustaining your organization’s revenue, regardless of organization size build the skill of asking for money and lead your organization to a revenue and philanthropy orientation many social enterprise ceos spend over half of their time on fundraising. why? simply put: without a sustainable revenue model, even the most exciting mission-driven organization will collapse. the dirty truth is that, with no fund raising, there is no social enterprise or enduring mission. this book will help you shoulder the burden of fundraising and ensure the long-term success of your venture.

Raise more money for your cause. based on expert advice and insights from a variety of respected industry experts, nonprofit fundraising 101 is an essential text for nonprofit professionals volunteers activists and social entrepreneurs who want to leverage best practices to promote their cause. built upon the success of the bestselling nonprofit management 101, this easy to digest book provides practical comprehensive guidance for nonprofit fundraising around the globe.

Fundraising for nonprofit board members is the essential resource for all board members charged with fundraising. – fundraising for nonprofit board members answers essential questions such as: what is a board member's role in fundraising? should a board member be expected to ask friends and associates for money? will board members be begging? isn't that what fundraising really is? should a board member expect to give personally to the charity? what is a special event, a will, an annual fund, and what do they have to do with fundraising and the board member's responsibility? each chapter gives board members the tools they need to be effective and efficient fundraisers. rather than being something board members "have to do," fundraising will become more productive and even enjoyable. each chapter also ends with questions to help reinforce highlights from the chapter, and gives boards much-needed discussion points for the next board meeting. – fundraising for nonprofit board members is a must-have resource for any nonprofit board member. it shows what each board member needs to know about fundraising, and dispels many myths that make fundraising seem unappealing. – when you approach fundraising equipped with the right knowledge and setting, you will succeed in fulfilling your fundraising responsibilities, but better yet, you will enjoy your time and actually enjoy raising money for your organization. – discover fundraising is not about asking for money. and how you can raise more money by never asking for money. – fundraising for nonprofit board members makes an ideal gift for ceos and board chairs to give to each board member at the beginning of the year or when someone joins the board.

This book was written with the hope of inspiring professionals who are contemplating a career in fundraising. it provides anecdotes, stories as well as tips on becoming a highly effective fundraising professional. these tips can apply to those who are already in the industry and want to take their careers to the next level, or to those who are new to fundraising and seek helpful advice. this book briefly provides an overview about the origins of fundraising and philanthropy and the importance of understanding this industry's history. it goes on to explain the value of having a personal philosophy and outlines behaviors that harvey green has observed from some of the most highly effective fundraisers. in the second part of the book, harvey covers some of the most remarkable personal habits of highly effective fundraisers, gives donor perspectives and examines the challenges that fundraisers face and how to overcome them. in the last part of this book, harvey looks at some of the ways that highly effective fundraisers motivate themselves to win every time and segues into a brief discussion about becoming a leader in this industry. the book concludes with some practical tips on making a successful fundraising career happen.

Amy eisenstein guides you, in only five hours a week, to safely and surely meet the challenges of getting your organization ready for major gift fundraising, all the way up to that all-important ask–and beyond. if you've been in fundraising for any length of time, you've no doubt heard of the "90/10 rule." in its simplest terms, it means that 90 percent of the funding comes from 10 percent of our donors. yet far too often, the majority of our time is spent focused on low-yield fundraising activities, such as events. amy argues that the key to successful long-term, sustainable fundraising lies in dramatically increasing your fundraising income from individual donors. and savvy fundraisers will do well to heed her advice. but how can you get started? with amy at the helm, guiding you in developing your organization's major gifts program, you'll find it's absolutely doable. amy doesn't pull any punches. she makes it clear, if you're going to succeed in major gifts, that everyone will need to be on board and that effective and consistent fundraising training is a must. it's a commitment. throughout the book, she explains key fundraising concepts, the difference between major gifts and capital campaigns, how to determine exactly what constitutes a major gift for your organization, the importance of gift acceptance policies, job responsibilities for your major gift team, the role of online fundraising in major gifts fundraising, the role of direct mail, maintaining your database, and more. in short, she cuts to the chase to show you that major gift fundraising is something that, yes, you can do. it just takes focus and amy's know-how, marvelously outlined within these pages. part one– you can raise major gifts in only five hours per week chapter one: the secret to successful fundraising: creating a culture of philanthropy and professionalism at your organization chapter two: creating your strategy chapter three: the secret weapon of major gifts: engaging your board chapter four: creating an army of advocates and the role of social media chapter five: what does bulk mail have to do with major gifts? part two– are you ready to ask for a major gift? preparing to ask chapter six: who will you ask for major gifts? chapter fifteen: moving on up: taking your organization to the next level

Learn to build relationships with your donors! internationally acclaimed fundraising consultant ken burnett has completely revised and updated his classic book relationship fundraising to offer fundraising professionals an invaluable resource for learning the techniques of effective communication with donors in a fast-changing environment. filled with illustrative case examples, donor profiles, and more than two hundred action points, this groundbreaking book shows fundraisers how to implement creative approaches to relationship-building fundraising avoid common fundraising errors and pitfalls apply the vital ingredients for fundraising success build good relationships with donors through marketing achieve a greater understanding of donors communicate effectively with donors—using direct mail, the press, television, the telephone, face-to-face contact, and more prepare for the challenges of twenty-first century fundraising "experienced volunteers and skilled practitioners realize that fundraising isn't about money, it is about relationships. ken burnett's observations, insights, and practical tips for building and sustaining relationships are superb. highly readable, this book is a solid mix of sound theory and pragmatic application." —kay sprinkel grace, author, beyond fund raising; coauthor, high impact philanthropy "ken burnett is one of the world's leading practitioners of the art of raising money by mail. many of us in the fundraising field speak about 'building relationships with donors,' but ken has systematically developed the techniques to bring this ideal down to earth. this classic book lays them out for all to see. relationship fundraising is one of a handful of truly indispensable books that belong on every fundraiser's bookshelf." —mal warwick, founder, mal warwick associates; author, how to write successful fundraising letters and ten steps to fundraising success "this is the book that sets the agenda for fundraising communications in the twenty-first century. engaging, inspiring, and thought provoking, relationship fundraising is based on the unique twenty-five year experience of one of the world's most respected fundraisers." —bernard ross, director, the management centre, london; author, breakthrough thinking for nonprofit organizations

Digital fundraising does not have to be a mystery. while technology and trends move quickly, there are fundamentals that rarely change that you need to know. from the ground up: digital fundraising for nonprofits is a practical primer on the ways of understanding, building, designing and innovating an effective digital fundraising program. with a strong foundation, there's no limit to what you will be able to build. with this book, you'll have a firm grasp on the inner workings of: digital tools, platforms, offers and integrations – websites that convert visitors into donors – email marketing and best practices for increasing email revenue – digital advertising strategies – analytics and conversion tracking for measuring roidesign thinking for more donor-centric fundraising – social media for impact and meaningful engagement – introduction to donor journey mapping – systems thinking as a means to future-proofing your charity"brock has taken solid fundraising strategy and brought it to life with a real-world guide to digital fundraising. in plain language, brock is providing tactical and practical advice, rooted in insights that will drive results. this is a must-read for fundraisers." -maeve strathy – this book is designed to be a handy, easy to use handbook that you'll want to have within reach. ideal for someone starting out their career in fundraising, or someone that wants to bring their charity's digital program up to speed. – about the author brock warner, cfre has well over a decade of experience that spans across every major nonprofit sector in canada. he is a professor in digital fundraising at humber college's fundraising management postgraduate program, and sought after presenter at fundraising conferences throughout north america. as a direct marketing account manager, he managed digital and print campaigns in healthcare, education, amateur athletics, humanitarian and domestic aid, and the environment. as a senior leader on the frontlines, brock's efforts have largely been in international development and mental health. brock completed his undergraduate degree at wilfrid laurier university, followed by a postgraduate certification in fundraising and volunteer management at humber college in toronto. he is a certified fund raising executive (cfre), as well as a longstanding member of the association of fundraising professionals (afp) greater toronto chapter. he has also obtained the b – cre-pro designation for a professional-level proficiency in blackbaud raiser's edge.

Interviews with 50 great fund raisers, along with a comprehensive survey of over 3,000 fund raisers, inform you about which qualities in fund-raising are innate, which can be learned, and how to use this information right away. a self-appraisal helps you determine your fund-raising strengths and weaknesses.

Fundraising: how to raise money for your library using social media introduces the phenomena that many members, supporters and fundraisers are not using social media to fundraise for their libraries, and may not be aware of its strengths and pitfalls. the book discusses why social media should be used to fundraise and how to successfully employ social media campaigns, also providing examples from library funding initiatives that libraries can follow. since social media changes relatively quickly, library staff members, supporters and fundraisers need up-to-date information on how to craft messages for the platforms that they use. this book presents less on best practices for specific social media platform, focusing more on library social media fundraising strategies that have been found to be effective (for example, how libraries have successfully created fundraising campaigns with hashtags). discusses why social media should be used to fundraise outlines how to successfully employ social media to fundraise presents examples from successful library funding campaigns via social media that other libraries can follow

Getting tax-exempt status for your nonprofit organization is just the first step — whether its mission will succeed depends entirely on your ability to raise money. fortunately, effective fundraising for nonprofits will show you how. featuring advice and stories from over 40 experienced fundraisers, foundation staffers, journalists and more, the 2nd edition of effective fundraising for nonprofits explains how to: work with individual donors plan special events solicit grants from foundations and corporations get media coverage use the web to further fundraising goals start a side business to raise funds and much more the 2nd edition also covers irs rules and regulations, grassroots strategies for struggling nonprofits, the tools and staffing needed, and dozens of resources that you can take advantage of. best of all, effective fundraising for nonprofits is written in plain english, cutting out the jargon and consultant speak that's all too common in many nonprofit books.

A good event fundraiser puts together a nice event that makes some money for their organization. a great event fundraiser plans memorable events, raises lots of money, creates awareness for their cause and fosters loyalty and support from donors and volunteers that can last a lifetime. which one do you want to be? juggling the numerous pieces of an event fundraiser can be daunting for the "rookie" and challenging even for a seasoned professional. whether you are planning a 5k run, a black-tie gala, or something in between, the a-to-z guide to event fundraising will be your blueprint for a successful event. with step-by-step instruction, checklists and more, this user-friendly guide with downloadable appendix will help you every step of the way, letting you spend your energy on what is important: raising funds for your organization and giving your attendees an experience they are sure to remember. amy crowell, founder of next stage advisors, has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, event management, and strategic and financial planning. she has overseen numerous nonprofit fundraisers, including grassroots campaigns, events of all sizes and national multimillion-dollar corporate-sponsored programs. amy helps nonprofits meet and beat their fundraising goals via event consulting, board development, grant writing and more. prior to founding next stage advisors, amy was a leader at share our strength no kid hungry, a national nonprofit, where she raised more than $3 million via events to end childhood hunger. she holds a b.s. in business from the university of connecticut and an mba from brenau university, and she is a certified fundraising executive, a certified public accountant and a member of the association of fundraising professionals. she resides with her husband and three children outside of atlanta, georgia.

A good event fundraiser puts together a nice event that makes some money for their organization. a great event fundraiser plans memorable events, raises lots of money, creates awareness for their cause and fosters loyalty and support from donors and volunteers that can last a lifetime. which one do you want to be? juggling the numerous pieces of an event fundraiser can be daunting for the "rookie" and challenging even for a seasoned professional. whether you are planning a 5k run, a black-tie gala, or something in between, the a-to-z guide to event fundraising will be your blueprint for a successful event. with step-by-step instruction, checklists and more, this user-friendly guide with downloadable appendix will help you every step of the way, letting you spend your energy on what is important: raising funds for your organization and giving your attendees an experience they are sure to remember. amy crowell, founder of next stage advisors, has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, event management, and strategic and financial planning. she has overseen numerous nonprofit fundraisers, including grassroots campaigns, events of all sizes and national multimillion-dollar corporate-sponsored programs. amy helps nonprofits meet and beat their fundraising goals via event consulting, board development, grant writing and more. prior to founding next stage advisors, amy was a leader at share our strength no kid hungry, a national nonprofit, where she raised more than $3 million via events to end childhood hunger. she holds a b.s. in business from the university of connecticut and an mba from brenau university, and she is a certified fundraising executive, a certified public accountant and a member of the association of fundraising professionals. she resides with her husband and three children outside of atlanta, georgia.