Essential Principles for Fundraising Success: An Answer Manual for the Everyday Challenges of Raising Money [Hardcover]

G. Douglass Alexander (Author), Kristina J. Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2005

Essential Principles for Fundraising Success is a single-source, easy-access guide that offers answers to the most commonly asked questions posed by  professional fundraisers and volunteers. Organized in a clear, easy-to-use question and answer format, Essential Principles for Fundraising Success takes on the challenges that arise daily in the ongoing, high-pressured business of raising money. In this book, G. Douglass Alexander and Kristina Carlson (the founders of the successful Internet-based, fundraising consulting firm FundraisingINFO) offer insight from their combined forty-six years of experience working with thousands of nonprofit organizations. Based on the enduring principles of fundraising, this important resource shows how to master the three mainstays of fundraising—developing a case statement, creating a campaign strategy, and securing big gifts. Essential Principles for Fundraising Success also offers creative, out-of-the-box solutions for convincing reluctant board members and other stakeholders to follow proven, effective fundraising strategies

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Simply put, if you will read this book, believe in the principles, and then follow the principles, you will raise a ton of money."
--Michael E. Shapiro, Nancy and Holcombe T. Green Jr. Director, High Museum of Art

"Put this book in your back pocket and don’t leave home without it. The Essential Principles for Fundraising Success is the quintessential guide for the fundraiser—both the novice and the seasoned professional."
--Cynthia M.Adams, CEO and president, Grantstation.com, Inc.

"This is a wonderful, practical guide that every professional will find valuable. It is full of advice and tips that are insightful and timely."
--Jimmie R. Alford, founder and chairman, The Alford Group

"Too many times we complicate the basic fundamental principles needed for successful fundraising. Doug and Kristina have simplified it for us. Whether you are a 30-year professional who needs reminding, or a new professional who need all the tools, Essential Principles for Fundraising Success fills the bill."
--Kurt Aschermann, senior vice president, chief marketing and development officer, Boys and Girls Clubs of America

"A terrific review of fundraising from direct mail to Internet, in a question and answer format. It can’t get any easier."
--Ted Hart, president and CEO, ePhilanthropy Foundation

"A ‘must read’ for fundraisers, regardless of their experience. Easy to read, well written, and to the point, this book will become the manual for professionals and volunteers in development."
--Daniel T. Gura, vice president for development and university relations, The University of Tampa

From the Inside Flap

We are living in a world that reflects harsh economic realities—increasing budget cuts and belt tightening. It is more important than ever that nonprofit development professionals are at the top of their fundraising game.

Essential Principles for Fundraising Success is a single-source, easy-access guide that offers answers to the most commonly asked questions posed by professional fundraisers and volunteers. Organized in a clear, easy-to-use question and answer format, Essential Principles for Fundraising Success takes on the challenges that arise daily in the ongoing, high-pressured business of raising money. In this book, G. Douglass Alexander and Kristina J. Carlson—the founders of the successful Internet-based fundraising consulting firm FundraisingINFO.com—offer insight from their combined forty-six years of experience working with thousands of nonprofit organizations. Based on the enduring principles of fundraising, this important resource shows how to master the three mainstays of fundraising—developing a case statement, creating a campaign strategy, and securing big gifts. Essential Principles for Fundraising Success also offers creative, out-of-the-box solutions for convincing reluctant board members and other stakeholders to follow proven, effective fundraising strategies.

The book covers a wide range of topics including information about capital campaigns, working with boards and volunteers, annual fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, special events, and grant seeking. Essential Principles for Fundraising Success is filled with actual questions from fundraising professionals and practitioners and answers that demonstrate ways to apply sound fundraising principles in real-life situations and how to avoid common pitfalls. The authors include tools and techniques that you can use to educate others within your organization about all the elements of a successful fundraising program.

The insight found in Essential Principles for Fundraising Success will prove indispensable in the day-to-day job performance of novice and experienced fundraisers alike.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787975842
• ISBN-13: 978-0787975845
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in Class for Board, Staff, and Those Who Do, November 23, 2007

By 

Robert D. Steele (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Essential Principles for Fundraising Success: An Answer Manual for the Everyday Challenges of Raising Money (Hardcover)

Although others will be doing fund-raising for Earth Intelligence Network, to fill in whatever our parent sponsor cannot provide, I found this book to be extraordinarly useful to me, so that I could understand in detail what is expected and required.

Bottom line: Fund-raising is a *professional* *year-long* orchestrated, documented *demanding* endeavor. It is neither easy nor an after-thought.

Over-all this book is a best in class offering that is superbly organized, superbly presented, and clearly authoritative. I noticed right away on the jacket blurbs that both givers and seekers of funds were represented.

The quick summary (there is no substitute for reading the book in detail, and probably annually as well), is found in the 9 principles on page 6:

1) Face to face solicitation is the most effective means
2) Individual giving (not foundation or corporate) is the greatest return
3) Money FOLLOWS involvement
4) Challenge gifts can solve most fund-raising problems
5) The board must lead if others are to follow (in giving)
6) Make it personal
7) Believe in volunteers
8) Offer opportunities
9) Practice sequential fundraising, starting at the top (the big gift)

A few highlights that stayed with me:

+ Range of Gifts table very useful device for planning and presenting
+ Core concepts credited to Ms. "Be" Haas--the authors are respectful
+ Key ingredients are the case statement, sequential fundraising, and the strongest possible campaign leadership
+ Connect to donors (DEVELOPMENT) first, ask LATER
+ 80% of giving is individual
+ Board membership (another book, not this one, says put them on the stationary) is the most powerful signal
+ Focus on personalized, face to face wherever possible
+ Volunteers are both a form of giving, and a form of connecting to others
+ MAKE YOUR CASE--"Need" is NOT a case, "Impact" is...
+ Prospect research is a sub-discipline now
- Helps find donors who are both able to give and passionate about the cause you represent
- Philanthropic history is more important than total wealth
- Websites exist for "conducting prospect research"

The authors shy away from recommending specific individuals or institutes but they are very professional and provide more than adequate pointers to specialty websites that I would not have been able to find myself.

+ Ethics matters
+ Annual campaigns are life-blood of the organization
+ November-December are the hot months for end of year deductable giving
+ Philanthropy 400 is a key reference
+ Capital campaigns every ten years or so
+ Planning giving is a long-term strategy but hugely promising
+ Foundations are NEXT TO LAST with Corporations LAST.

The chapter on technology is excellent, and covers the basics:
01 Website including "donate now" button
02 Fundraising software, one size does NOT fit all
03 Avoid spam, know the STATE law, quality matters
04 Email delivery of newsletters or other value is good

Stewardship is its own sub-dsicipline, the nurturing and appreciation of those who give and cannot be forgotten or taken for granted.

I have a full two pages of notes, not for this review, but really great ideas tailored to our program that I would never, ever, have thought about without reading this book.

This is a great book, a serious book, one you cannot do without (IMHO).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great PRIMER for any fundraiser . . . ., October 31, 2005

By 

Jay Love - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Principles for Fundraising Success: An Answer Manual for the Everyday Challenges of Raising Money (Hardcover)

I just finished reading the book. After serving the non profit sector for over 20 years it is nice to have an easy to read, yet comprehensive publication for everyone to learn from. It will be required reading for all of our new hires at my organization. I cannot think of a better way to learn how to properly raise money in a variety of manners.

Jay

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's All There, November 23, 2005

By 

Ben J. Dyer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Principles for Fundraising Success: An Answer Manual for the Everyday Challenges of Raising Money (Hardcover)

I've served on the boards of a number of organizations that have developed very strong fundraising capabilities -- and some that have not. The latter group could catch up quickly by reading this book. Authors Carlson and Alexander have covered all the key topics in an easy to read and easily referenced format. Their depth of experience is evident throughout. Anyone involved in nonprofit fundraising should invest the time to read and appreciate these "essential principles."