Ask Without Fear!: A Simple Guide to Connecting Donors With What Matters to Them Most [Paperback]

Marc A. Pitman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

IS FUNDRAISING FUN FOR YOU?

Are your board members beating down your door with new donors that are ready to make a gift? If that's not your reality yet, international fundraising trainer Marc A. Pitman's "Ask Without Fear!" is for you!

In this fun, easy-to-read book, he:

• Explains in a step-by-step, easy to remember process how to build authentic relationships with your donors -- and help them connect with your cause in the way that matters most to them!
• Identifies time-tested research tools to help you plan your fundraising campaign!
• Exposes the 7 most common fundraising mistakes -- and how to avoid them!
• Shows how to become skilled at indentifying a person's personality traits and tailoring your message to fit their personality -- even on the fly!

Perfect for nonprofit employees and board members, Ask Without Fear! helps you move your fundraising from a static, one-way, organization-centered monologue to a dynamic, donor-centered, two-way dialogue. This book gives you the tools to raise serious money for your favorite cause!

Editorial Reviews

Review

I have no doubt that Pitman can coach the most timid and fearful fundraising staff member or nonprofit board member...Pitman's book is quick and precise. 

--Joanne Fritz, About.com

It's a fast read, written in clear language, with lots of examples and stories. It's perfect for both professional and accidental fundraisers like board members... --Kivi Leroux Miller, NonprofitMarketingGuide.com

Pitman has distilled the process of fundraising...and reveals powerful secrets to help fundraisers handle objections. --Fundraising Success Magazine

From the Back Cover

"'Get REAL' will take on new meaning for board and staff members who read this book. Readable, on point, filled with memorable stories and well-tested practices, this little book is a great addition to the field of pragmatic advice to those looking for more successful engagement in fundraising."

Kay Sprinkel Grace, Principal, Transforming Philanthropy and author, Beyond Fundraising 

San Francisco, CA

"I enjoyed Ask Without Fear! Marc has taken a subject that has been written about often and given it a new twist. Clearly, his effort is a work of passion and love. My hat is off to him." 

Jerry Linzy, Senior Managing Partner Panas, Linzy & Associates 

Chicago, IL

"This short, practical book gives you a series of step-by-step methods to raise more money, faster and easier than you ever thought possible." 

Brian Tracy, Author The Psychology Of Selling

"Marc is a skillful and knowledgable coach, and a true expert on fundraising. He provided very helpful fundraising advice to a nonprofit where I serve on the board. If you need someone to assist with any area of fundraising, Marc is your guy!" 

C.J. Hayden, Author Get Clients Now!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 95 pages
• Publisher: Executive Books (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933715545
• ISBN-13: 978-1933715544
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

An international nonprofit development consultant and fundraising trainer, Marc A. Pitman is the author of Ask Without Fear! and founder of FundraisingCoach.com, a website dedicated to practical ideas for fundraising more effectively.

Because of his dynamic trainings, Marc is invited to speak to organizations like Blackbaud's Conferences for Nonprofits, Habitat for Humanity International, the New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and even the International Bowling Expo. His experience in nonprofit fundraising in many sectors (colleges, prep schools, and healthcare), in executive coaching, and in leadership training has caused him to be sought out by NBC, CBS, Fox News, Reuters, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, and the American Marketing Association.

Marc's experience also includes planting and pastoring a Vineyard church, managing a gubernatorial campaign, teaching internet marketing at Thomas College and co-founding 501MissionPlace.com, a forum for nonprofit founders and executive directors.

He is the husband of his best friend and the father of three amazing kids. And if you see him drive by, he'll probably be singing 80's tunes loud enough to embarrass his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nonprofit Fundraisers Need to Read "Ask Without Fear", July 16, 2008

By 

Roger Carr "Mentor to the Rich of Heart" (Fredericksburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ask Without Fear!: A Simple Guide to Connecting Donors With What Matters to Them Most (Paperback)

This book by Marc A. Pitman should be read by everyone who is involved in any way with fundraising. It provides a step by step method to ask for funds that is not only effective, but also removes much of the fear that is attributed to fundraising. I enjoyed Marc's perspective and personal stories to make his points. I also learned important techniques from it. Especially in the area of potential donor research. It is easy to read and implement. "Ask Without Fear" is on my must read list.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great handbook for any fundraiser, May 16, 2008

By 

Mitchell Teplitsky (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ask Without Fear!: A Simple Guide to Connecting Donors With What Matters to Them Most (Paperback)

I've been reading and recommending Marc Pitman' s "Ask Without Fear" blog to fellow fundraisers and clients for years, and now I'm doing the same for his new book. It's an excellent, pithy, common sense guide to asking for money. I like how Marc breaks it down to a series of practical steps that anyone can understand and implement. And how he includes practical examples of strategy and language. Most of all, I like his writing style -- he models the kind of enthusiasm that I think is at the heart of effective fundraising. He makes it seem not only doable, but fun!
- Mitch Teplitsky, fundraising filmmaker and consultant (http://www.soyandina.com)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for fundraisers!, January 21, 2009

By 

Ken Meifert "Senior Developement Director" (Central NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ask Without Fear!: A Simple Guide to Connecting Donors With What Matters to Them Most (Paperback)

This book boils down the keys to inspiring donors to give generously to your cause. Marc's conversational style and real world success stories make the book fun and easy to read. You can't help but be inspired - and when fundraisers are inspired they succeed! Whether you are are new to fundraising or an old pro the concepts here are something we all need to keep in mind. This book is a must read for anyone seeking to raise money, and in today's tough economy these core principlas are more important than ever!