Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits: Real-World Strategies That Work (Paperback)

by Ilona M. Bray (Author)
Key Phrases: social purpose enterprises, development staffer, individual supporters, San Francisco, Project Open Hand, Fundraising Worksheet (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Gets into the best ways to keep the money flowing in, including using the Web and developing grass roots strategies." -- Accounting Today

"If you have room for only one book on your fundraising bookshelf, Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits should be that book. Author Ilona Bray... does a remarkable job giving key information about every aspect of fundraising without being too simplistic." -- Advancing Philanthropy

"Provides clear answers for nonprofits, with advice from fundraisers, foundation staffers and journalists." -- San Diego Union-Tribune

Product Description
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, 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 book 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.

List of Forms
Fundraising Worksheet 1: Sample Cost Analysis
Fundraising Worksheet 2: Fundraising Assets
Fundraising Worksheet 3: Fundraising Strategy Chart
Fundraising Worksheet 4: Mailing Evaluation
Fundraising Worksheet 5: Meeting Checklist
Fundraising Worksheet 6: Projected Special Event Expenses
Fundraising Worksheet 7: Projected Special Event Income
Fundraising Worksheet 8: Grantseeking Chart
Fundraising Worksheet 9: Grants Worksheet
Fundraising Worksheet 10: Check Your Website's Fundraising Effectiveness
Fundraising Worksheet 11: Press Release Template

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 2 edition (February 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413307485
• ISBN-13: 978-1413307481
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,049 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Raising Capital
  #3 in	Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Nonprofit Organizations & Charities
  #4 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Philanthropy & Charity

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fundraising book for the small nonprofit, or one that is not well organized!, September 5, 2006

By	Jeff Lippincott "www.Jlippin.com" (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Effective Fundraising For Nonprofits: Real World Strategies That Work (Paperback)

This is a great book for the small nonprofit that does not know much about fundraising. If it were for a more established nonprofit, then it would not have referred to major gifts as those starting at $500. I'm used to major gifts starting at $10,000 and going up well into the 6 figures.

This book explains how to do the following:

1. Work with individual donors
2. Plan special events
3. Solicit grants from foundations and corporations
4. Get media coverage (publicity)
5. Use the Internet to help in the fundraising process
6. Create print marketing materials like brochures, newsletters, and annual reports

All the above are important parts of a fundraising plan. One has to set goals, strategize how to attain the goals. Then attract individual donors and develop a rapport with those donors so they give more and more each year. Eventually those donors will become major donors, but that topic is best left for another book.

The book includes a good list of Web sites for prospect research. But the appendix materials didn't seem to be up to par.

All in all, this book provides grassroots strategies for struggling nonprofits. It is no-nonsense and well organized. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn the basics about nonprofit fundraising. Topics beyond the scope of this book are planned giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, and endowments. But if you read this book and understand it, then you will be ready to learn about the other topics just mentioned. 5 stars!

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and Simple Explanations of What Works, May 31, 2005

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Effective Fundraising For Nonprofits: Real World Strategies That Work (Paperback)

There are a tremendous number of non-profits around. There are also a tremendous number of funding organizations. Your job as the fundraising manager (whatever your exact job title may be) is to put your particular non-profit together with one or more funding organizations to raise the money you need.

There is a basic set of fundraising skills and technologies that you can use to fund nearly any non-profit. Gone are the days (in most places) where you can put together some simply fund raising activity and gain enough money to get you through the year.

Here in one simple book is an excellent summary of all of the most modern techniques. It includes:

Developing a Plan that will include your goal, the assets you have to do fundraising, and a strategy to use these assets in the most profitable manner.

Attracting Individual Supporters, which means making your organization look wupport-worthy, understanding your supporters and attracting new ones.

Your best supporters are those that have given you money before. Here are the techniques to keep them giving.

These techniques and many more are discused here by an expert in the field. It should be required reading for anyone responsible for fund-raising in a worthy organization.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for Start-Up Non-Profits, April 10, 2007

By	Helen Mcvicker "Santashelper" (Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Effective Fundraising For Nonprofits: Real World Strategies That Work (Paperback)

I found this book VERY helpful. In fact, I was so fascinated with it, I couldn't put it down. It was like a good novel. I immediately changed some of my thank you letters and re-did my Corporate request for funding letter. I will continue to use it's suggestions. The book is well written and not full of 'filler info', but very solid recommendations that one can put to use right away.