Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Fund-Raising Management (The NSFRE/Wiley Fund Development Series; 1st Edition)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I loved this book. It covers so much about nonprofit fundraising in such detail that I'm so glad I came across it a few years back when I was learning about the subject. I was working as an associate capital campaign consultant and found it kind of hard to find fundraising books that covered much of anything about capital campaigns. Then I found this book.

Most of the hardcover books I buy and read I don't bother to make notations using a pencil. I used this book so much to learn the basics of nonprofit fundraising that I broke tradition and used a pencil on it quite extensively. As a result, I have a few recommendations as to how the next edition could be improved. First, and foremost, I think the chapters should be reordered as follows:

PART 1. Fundraising Basics

1. (1.) The five major fundraising principles

2. (2.) Your organization and the nonprofit world

3. (3.) Managing the resource development function

4. (5.) Managing information

5. (15.) Human resources

6. (6A.) Prospect ID, research, and segmentation

7. (9.) Direct and select mail fundraising

8. (10.) Telephone solicitations

9. (7.) Nurturing relationships

Part II. Major Gift Fundraising

10. (4.) The Case for Support and fundraising materials

11. (6B.) Prospect ID, research, and segmentation

12. (8.) Major gift programs

13. (13.) Planned giving

14. (14.) Capital and endowment campaigns

Part III. Add-on ways to generate funds

15. (11.) Special event fundraisers

16. (12.) Grantsmanship

Part IV. An appendix

17. (16.) Evaluation

The numbers above in parenthesis are the actual chapter numbers. I would have liked the book much more if Chapter 6 had been split into two chapters. As far as I know, prospect identification differs significantly when working an annual campaign and soliciting funds using direct mail and the telephone. This topic could and should have had its own chapter. There is also the prospect identification, research and segmentation I am initimately used to that relates to major gift solicitation and capital campaigns. That topic should have had its own chapter (maybe even two chapters?).

I would have liked the book better if the content at pages 247 and 248 were reworked. I would reword the text as follows:

"Resource development professionals who have had years of capital and endowment campaign experience have come to recognize FIVE fundamental prerequisites indicating institutional readiness:

1. Does the nonprofit have a sound Case for Support?

2. Is there a good database of donor prospects with many high in CCCC, i.e., capacity, capability, connection, & commitment?

3. Are there sufficient volunteers who can provide strong leadership?

4. Is now a good time to initiate a campaign considering the current obligations of the nonprofit, the attitude and composition of its Board, and fundraising activities in the community from other nonprofits that share this nonprofit's constituents?

5. Can the nonprofit pay for and orchestrate the campaign effort?"

I would have liked to see some coverage of the Internet, Web sites, and email. There didn't have to be lots of this subject - just enough so the reader would know these topics are important to the fundraisers.

I loved the last chapter of the book. I thought it did a wonderful job of providing the reader with a checklist to effectively evalutate a fundraising department at a nonprofit. 5 stars!

I'm new to the fundraising/development field. I found this book very readable and informative. The subject is presented in a style that is intelligent and no-nonsense, unlike a lot of the "XXX for Dummies" and "Idiots Guide to XXX" series.

There is a nice little CD-ROM in the back with sample Word doc files on it. I wish there had been a few Excel spreadsheets too. I come from a sales background and found some of the advice for what to say to potential donors to be a bit ham-handed.

But, overall a great intro to fundraising with a lot of good advice that nonprofits should follow.

This updated edition covers all the basics for a fundraising professional -- whether you are just starting out or need a reminder about best practices. I found the exhibits and charts especially helpful.

From strategic planning, to executing different kinds of campaigns, to evaluating your results, the author covers it all clearly and concisely. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a quick but thorough overview of fundraising. You can also visit the book's website to download exhibits and sample forms -- a great resource!

I teach a class in fundraising and I use this book as my text. Great book, good examples. It's a comprehensive introduction to development for non-profits.

Stanley has done it again...I now own each of the editions of his great book, which has built on his personal success in good fundraising practice as a consultant and as a teacher. I'm also proud to note that he holds the ACFRE credential.

This is the best book out there on fundraising management--great for the newbie and informative for the veteran.

Whether the reader is new to the fundraising process or a seasoned professional who wants to keep up-to-date with the latest techniques, this Third Edition of "The Complete Gude to Fundraising Management" will be immensely helpful. The exhibits accompanying each chapter plus access to the website that supports the book make this book particularly invaluable. I like having these resources at my finger tips.

Weinstein does a good job representing the many facets of fundraising development today. The CD-ROM is a helpful addition. Highly recommended.

Stanley Weinstein is one of the very best in the business. I've attended his workshops and had numerous conversations with him. This is one of the best books on fundraising management ever written. Weinstein's comprehensive, no-nonsense methodology provides a resource development blueprint for nonprofit organizations of all sizes. He covers it all from the simple ask, to capital campaigns, major gifts, annual giving campaigns, grantsmanship, and more. He also understands and addresses the pressures faced by many nonprofit managers and development officers who are understaffed, misunderstood, and expected to work miracles in order to keep their organizations solvent. If you work in the nonprofit sector, this is a great book. If you are a professional fundraiser or a nonprofit manager this book is a mandatory part of your professional library, and one that you will use on a regular basis--it has been for me and I can't possibly rate this high enough.

I ordered the physical book because the ad stated that there was a CD included. There was no CD when it arrived. Had I known this ahead of time I would have ordered the Kindle edition. The added delay waiting on the physical book made me late getting assignments turned in. Thank you AMAZON for posting false information.

Even though I have not been able to read the Guide in full or use the CD Rom, all the special topics I have checked out thus far have been highly informative. I especially like the detailed charts and exhibits which provide an "at-a-glance" guide.

Having been a management consultant for 15 years, although not in the Arts Funding Area where I now toil as a volunteer, I have a good eye for serious data. And, having read several other books on the subject of nonprofit organizations, I can honestly say this book by Stanley Weinstein provides the kind of nuts and bolts data that is essential to fundraising.

Finally, since I had to pay for this Guide out of pocket, I can honestly say that I feel I got my money's worth even at this early stage of the fundraising process. It's a winner.

Please give me an opportunity in the future to provide another review...after our fledgling group...The Westlake Arts Center in Westlake, OH...implements some of the suggestions.