The Seven Faces of Philanthropy: A New Approach to Cultivating Major Donors (The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Sector Series) [Hardcover]

Russ Alan Prince (Author), Karen Maru File (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0787900087 | ISBN-13: 978-0787900083 | Edition: 1st

Available for the first time in paperback, Seven Faces of Philanthropy introduces to you the Seven Faces approach--a powerful tool that enables development professionals to maximize their effectiveness when approaching major donors for gifts. The authors identify and profile seven types of major donors and offer you detailed strategies on how to approach them. Both novice and expert fundraisers will find this framework a valuable supplement to existing strategies and techniques.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Seven Faces of Philanthropy is an information-packed text that will help practitioners and students of philanthropy to understand the different needs, different wants and different response mechanisms of their gift markets. An essential guide to market behavior patterns." (Henry A. Rosso, author of Achieving Excellence in Fund Raising)

Review

"Prince and File provide the keys to unlock the planned giving market. They show us how to target prospective donors with laser precision and how to cultivate them based on a new understanding of donor motives, needs, and expectations."
— Peter M. Weisbaum, Esq., vice president, advanced business and estate planning, National Life Insurance Company

"Not only provides a thorough analysis of the many factors that influence funders, but also valuable insights into how one develops strategic approaches toward building long-term relationships with significant funders."
— William H. Meadows III, director, Centennial Campaign, Sierra Club

"Expands the reader's knowledge of why people give and how they can be approached and enfolded into an ongoing donor constituency. This book is a vital addition to the concepts and practice of major gift fund raising."
— Joseph R. Mixer, Ph.D., author of Principles of Professional Fundraising

"An information-packed text that will help practitioners to understand the different needs, different wants, and different response mechanisms of their gift markets. An essential guide to market behavior patterns."
— Henry A. Rosso, CFRE (Ret.) author of Achieving Excellence in Fund Raising

"Fund raisers, legal advisors, and financial advisors must communicate value in terms most appropriate to the individual philanthropic personality. . . . required reading because it enables the reader to meet that challenge."
— F. Lewis Carlisle, manager, philanthropic services, Kidder, Peabody & Co., Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 219 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (September 7, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787900087
• ISBN-13: 978-0787900083
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #659,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Useful Information for Real Non-Profit Professionals, September 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Seven Faces of Philanthropy: A New Approach to Cultivating Major Donors (The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Sector Series) (Hardcover)

Prince and File really did a number on this book. It contains valuable information about how to friend raise, how best to serve friends of your non-profit, and how to keep them on board with your organization. The book describes seven philanthropic "personalities" and allows the reader to think about his or her own constituents and how they might fit in with these personalities. A remarkable work, that is insightful yet easy to understand and apply.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, April 2, 2002

By 

Marc "Fundraisingcoach.com" (Waterville, ME, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Seven Faces of Philanthropy: A New Approach to Cultivating Major Donors (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series) (Paperback)

I loved this book! The Seven Faces of Philanthropy offers a very helpful donor-centered approach to interacting with donors.

Although thoroughly researched, the authors' humility is also refreshing. Prince and File specifically say they are not offering a framework that supplements, not replaces, the strategies and techniques our offices are using. Later, they acknowledge the limits and constraints with this framework but affirm that the strength is in the process.

Throughout the book, actual comments from donors illustrate the points the authors are making. I could almost hear donors I know talking to us through those quotations! As I read The Seven Faces of Philanthropy, I found myself scribbling notes in the margins about how I could implement the framework in my daily work.

I was disappointed that this reprint merely had a new introduction. Part Two is laden with statistics and I found myself wondering how they have changed in the last ten years. Nevertheless, this book is well worth reading and implementing.

In addition to a preface, two introductions, and a research appendix, the chapters include:

Part One: Profiling the Seven Faces of Philanthropy
1. The Communitarian: Doing Good Makes Sense
2. The Devout: Doing Good is God's Will
3. The Investor: Doing Good is Good Business
4. The Socialite: Doing Good is Fun
5. The Altruist: Doing Good Feels Right
6. The Repayer: Doing Good in Return
7. The Dynast: Doing Good is a Family Tradition

Part Two: Cultivating Major Donors with the Seven Faces Framework
8. Making Connections Through Charity Networks
9. Building Relationships with the Seven Philanthropic Personalities
10. Identifying Appropriate Giving Strategies
11. Sustaining Relationships Through Donor Centered Strategies

Conclusion: Applying the Seven Faces Framework

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who are you asking?, February 23, 2002

By 

Scott Burns (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Seven Faces of Philanthropy: A New Approach to Cultivating Major Donors (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series) (Paperback)

This is a very important read for the not-for-profit person planning to ask for money. It is important to understand the motivations for giving and incorporate that into your "ask".
This book is the best resource for simplifying the giving patterns and motivators of people.