108 of 112 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, but watch the legal & tax advice!, December 12, 2000
In case you've been trapped on a desert island for the past several years, IDG books has been publishing "Dummies"-themed books on every subject under the sun and moon, from Windows 2000 to sex. Fundraising for Dummies is a typically informative, easy-to-read, and useful guide to fundraising for nonprofit organizations.
With 28 chapters in five parts and appendices of checklists and how-tos, the book has loads of information for novice and intermediate fundraisers alike. In fact, it's also a pretty good reference for board members and volunteers involved in fundraising activities.
There is a chapter devoted to predictions on the future of philanthropy in the U.S., with one-paragraph explanations of brief statements, such as "E-giving Will Grow." Most of these predictions are obvious to nonprofit-sector experts (and especially those of us who participate on CharityChannel!). However, I must admit to being intrigued by the idea that "Nonprofits Will Rule!", meaning that, as more for-profits become regional and national in scope, local nonprofits will assume increasing local community leadership influence.
As good as this volume is in its general approaches and many helpful tips and techniques, do not mistake this book for a thorough treatment of the subject or any of its components. I was alarmed by its breezy assertion that nonprofit board service
"...is not as risky as serving on a for-profit board. Nonprofit board members are protected personally from liability in any legal action against their charitable organization..."
Haven't the authors heard of the IRS and Intermediate Sanctions? And, since nonprofit corporations are state-chartered (like their for-profit brethren), wouldn't liability vary from state to state, as well as depending on the facts and circumstances of each case? I would imagine that the D&O liability insurers would like to address this before the second printing!
One benefit of this book I found is one which I'm not sure is intentional. Grant writing is given short coverage in the appropriately-numbered Chapter 13 of the book, thereby providing two subtle reminders that grants are but a minor part of fundraising success.
Any reader interested in the subject will learn much from this book, as long as they don't take its accounting and legal advice too literally.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part 1 -- Gearing Up to Raise Funds
Part 2 -- Getting to Know Your Donor
Part 3 -- Using Your Fundraising Tools
Part 4 -- On the (Fundraising) Campaign Trail
Part 5 -- The Part of Tens
Index
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48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fundraising for Dummies, August 27, 2000
I am just starting my first job as a fund development director, and this book is a terrific step-by-step reference. I've been reading lots of stuff, and this is the best. The authors know fundraising on both sides--as fund raisers and funders. The book is readable,interesting and full of specifics, "case studies," and references (with helpful contact information--addresses, etc.). I would think even "old hands" in fundraising would learn a thing or two.I highly recommend it.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Building blocks, October 1, 2005
"Fundraising for Dummies" will not give you a Masters degree in Non-profit Management, but it does contain EXTREMELY valuable and assorted information all under one cover that used to take quite a bit of research and pavement pounding to track down. Save that pavement pounding and learn what types of fundraising are going to work the best for you, and how best to employ them. Like the title states, this book is geared for folks who may not have any previous experience with fundraising, or may need a refresher on old standbys and new avenues.
There are many avenues available to organizations now, and this book breaks each down for its strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to employ them, many of which many folks may not have even considered to be viable. Everything from bake sales to preparing for and writing grant proposals, as well as everything in the middle, can be found in the chapters of "Fundraising for Dummies".
Whether you are looking to buy new little league uniforms, set-up an online donation portal for a local community center, or are pursuing grants for a national level non-profit, this book can substantially help you understand where to start, how to evaluate which forms of fundraising will work best for you, what leg-work needs to be done before you can hit the ground running, how to gauge what aspects your team can handle and what aspects you may need to hire a prefessional to handle, fundraising ethics, and what follow-up you need to do AFTER the fundraising to keep donors "writing checks" for long term endeavors. The writing style is straight forward, accessible and quite enjoyable, without talking over/down-to the reader. A very worthwhile investment for the return-potential!
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