It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise! [Paperback]

Tony Poderis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"At 125 pages, the book is indeed user-friendly. It takes the reader step-by-step through a successful campaign. The clearly written instructions teach how to....." -- Martha Cordes Towns, Editor Currents--Chagrin Valley Times

"I am most appreciative of the help your book has given me. It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise! is essential reading for everyone who wants to develop an effective fund-raising campaign." -- Richard B. Fratianne, MD Chairman, MetroHealth Foundation Cleveland, Ohio

"I love your outline and simplicity in setting forth the elements of each type of campaign. It's clear, concise and very easy to follow." -- Carla T. Smith, Fund-Raising Consultant Saugerties, New York

"Readers will come away with a much clearer understanding of the process of raising money for an institution." -- Anton Zuiker, Managing Editor Northern Ohio LIVE! magazine

"The field has needed this kind of resource for many years, and now it's here!" -- Rick H. Jones, Executive Director Fitton Center for Creative Arts Hamilton, Ohio

"This is a great service you've done here. So many wonderful things this book tells us. I think we need to know where this book is available, because people are going to want to rush out and buy it." -- Grace Lee Mims WCLV--FM Cleveland

"Tony Poderis brings a wealth of experience to this new fund-raising text. His practical, readable guide covers the basics of annual, endowment, capital, sponsorship, and underwriting campaigns." -- American Symphony Orchestra League Washington, DC

"Tony's book is an instant classic and an indispensable reference tool which belongs on the desk of every non-profit fund-raiser, no matter what their levels of experience or responsibility might be." -- Dr. Wayne P. Lawson, Executive Director Ohio Arts Council Columbus, Ohio

"Your new book is marvelous! It should help fund-raising persons of all types. I'll keep it handy here in the office and encourage many who visit me to study "how to properly raise funds." -- Herbert E. Strawbridge, Trustee John P. Murphy & Kulas Foundations Cleveland, Ohio

From the Publisher

Tony's experiences have won him a wide audience, and at well over 300 seminars and workshops in the United States, Canada and Mexico over the course of his 26 years in fund-raising, he has addressed every facet of raising contributed income for social service, medical, educational, religious, and cultural institutions. He is a fund-raising Speaker/Specialist consultant to the United States Information Agency and the Mexican Government.

Tony is past president of the Ohio Council of Fund-Raising Executives and a recipient of OCFRE's Distinguished Service Award. He is a former member of the fund-raising steering committee of the American Symphony Orchestra League.

Tony is the author of a 120 page book on fund-raising published by FundAmerica Press titled It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise! In this publication he has condensed his nearly three decades of fund-raising experience to provide a concise step-by-step guide to help all volunteers and professionals be as successful as possible as they carry out their fund-raising responsibilities for their respective non-profit organizations.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 115 pages
• Publisher: FundAmerica Press; 1 edition (October 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965206610
• ISBN-13: 978-0965206617
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His simple, pragmatic writing style patiently mentors . . ., January 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise! (Paperback)

The problem with Tony Poderis is that he is terribly tardy in writing "It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise!" If I had read it 20 or so years ago, when he should have written it, I would have avoided some of the blunders he warns against. I wouldn't have taken nearly so long to become effective as a fund raiser. And I wouldn't have quite so many gray hairs today, each earned in the hard school of "experience." But (sigh) he wrote it only recently. Of course, there is a good reason for the interminable wait: Tony first had to rack up an incredible 20 years as director of development for The Cleveland Orchestra, where he was responsible for the largest annual institutional fund-raising campaign in Cleveland. Oh, and toss in another four or five years subsequent consulting experience, as well. I note, with some satisfaction, that the author has even more gray hairs than do I -- each one earned, no doubt, in the same "school." As evidence, I present Exhibit A: the picture on the cover (there's Tony standing before, of all things, an open bank vault!). That experience shines through in the book. His simple, pragmatic writing style patiently mentors the reader in the art of effective fund raising. The reader may be new to the field, where a book like this is invaluable and where I suspect Tony directed his focus. Or the reader may be well-experienced, where the book reaffirms lessons learned and truths well tested. Did I use the word "pragmatic"? "It doesn't take a genius to raise money," he states early on. "The process is a combination of common sense, hard work, preparation, courtesy, commitment, enthusiasm, understanding, and a belief in what you are selling." See? As expected, the book starts with goal setting and leadership (Chapter 2). But this is not an academic "text." Rather, the author reaches into his bag of experiences and pulls out the time a board trustee got up and announced, "What we need is more endowment. We ought to have a $50 million endowment campaign." Gulp. Wasn't his hair dark brown just before that? This guy has been there. Done that. That's where mentors come from. Well, actually, Tony starts even sooner than goal setting and leadership. Chapter 1 covers the Nine Basic Truths of Fund-Raising. Here's one: "You don't wait for the 'right' moment to ask; you ask now." I loved that one. How many fund raisers are captivated by the word "cultivation," so much so that they don't seem to understand that fund raising also requires "reaping," too? I often wonder how many fund raisers, were they farmers, would leave their carefully cultivated crop to wilt in the field, season after season? Tony's "Nine Truths" are as close to "theory" as he gets. After Chapter 1, he moves methodically through what it takes to succeed. Chapter 2, on goal setting and leadership, is quickly followed by an admonition to "know your organization" (Chapter 3); creation of a general development plan (Chapter 4); funding sources (Chapter 5); prospecting for donors (Chapter 6); rating and evaluating prospects (Chapter 7); annual campaigns (Chapter 8); endowment campaigns (Chapter 9); capital campaigns (Chapter 10); sponsorships and underwriting campaigns (Chapter 11); developing a campaign plan (Chapter 12); preparing for a campaign (Chapter 13); managing a campaign (Chapter 14); assessing and reviewing a campaign once it's over (Chapter 15); and developing the development team (Chapter 16). Clearly, this is a useful book that I'd wholeheartedly recommend for the fund raising professional -- new or seasoned. But it is also ideal for any other person involved with an organization's fund raising. Tony's simple, straight-forward, no-nonsense style will be welcomed by board members, volunteers, and others who will appreciate being able to get through it over a couple of evenings or a weekend.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fundraising Demystified, January 20, 2004

By 

David (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise! (Paperback)

Tony Poderis reminds all of us who have ever been development officers that it's not rocket science. In his words, "It's just hard work." He's right.

Poderis's "Nine Basic Truths of Fundraising" are worth the price of the book alone. But then he goes on to tell us chapter and verse just how to organize a development department, run a fundraising campaign, and work with volunteer leadership.

With over 30 years of fundraising experience, Poderis knows what he writes about. He's done it all and run a major operation as development director for the Cleveland Orchestra.

Newcomers and old hands alike will derive tremendous benefit from this book, and every board member should read the Nine Basic Truths.

This just could be the best book ever written on fundraising.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Bible" of fundraising books, January 18, 2004

By 

Eager Reader "Tony" (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise! (Paperback)

I have been a development professional for over twenty years, but Mr. Poderis' book has been, and continues to be, right at reach on my desk as his insights and encouragement have been key to my success as a developmen director of a large arts organization.

A more than handy, practical, reference tool which is timeless and always relevant.