Customer Reviews

Fundraising: Hands-On Tactics for Nonprofit Groups

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

 

 

I used this book almost exclusively as a reference for a capital campaign at a community college foundation. The fundraising plan outlined in the text is very good, and can be followed almost verbatim. I found that the pointers offered were very applicable to the funding plan, that is, they were specific enough to be meaningful, yet broad enough to be adapted to any fundraising situation. This book is probably most useful for those considering a capital campaign, and an especially good reference for those who are embarking on their very first campaign. The text ranks among one of the most practically applicable I have ever read.

What is best about the book is that it digs into the multitude of steps necessary to prepare for a successful campaign. When I first read the Table of Contents I was somewhat overwhelmed with the idea that so many things had to take place before actually asking for substantial contributions to our nonprofit. We were used to running a few special events and receiving just as few dollars from them. But using the clearly written text as a guide enabled us to expand our thinking and implement a process that led to significantly increased donations this year. The book was a great investment.

First, I had to purchase this for a class just a few months before the new edition arrived, which was too bad. This 1993 edition is full of dated material that I hope will be gone in the new edition. The book subtitle, Hands on Tactics for Nonprofit Groups suggests that the book is for small non-profits, but almost every lesson/example is geared to larger groups, who probably do not need the book. The author stated that the information in the book is applicable/scalable to small no-profits, but a book just for small non-profits would be better for such organizations. It is easy enough to follow. Its best feature, the cookbook like feel of the book is also its worst, in that it encourages a formulaic approach to fundraising. That is very common in the fundraisng industry and needs to be cautioned against.

Impressed is not the word for it. This book covers it all. Helped calm my fears about fundraising. I learned allot and will read it again and again.

I was so tired of trying to wade through dense books on fundraising and marketing. This book lays it out clearly and simply. Fundraising is common sense--so is this book. Should be read by anyone launching an annual and capital campaign.