Customer Reviews

30 Days to Successful Fundraising (Psi Research Success Library)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is refreshingly reminiscent of "The One Minute Manager." There are so few gems like this that simply and clearly give the important substance of a topic without wandering through needless arcane rhetoric that sounds intellectual but leaves the reader wondering what to do. Concrete information that every fundraiser needs to know - from creating a budget to finding and asking for money to appropriately recognizing donors is presented in a step-by-step, plain-spoken way. And it all makes immediate sense. Just to make sure the reader grasps and personalizes each concept, Dr. Goldstein makes every chapter interactive. Each principle is reinforced with a few questions for the reader, such as: "List 3-5 `sizzles' that would sell a potential donor," "write a snappy `p.s.' that prompts a potential donor to donate," "list 5 lawyers who specialize in wills and estates who might work with you to find major donors." As a brilliant and most useful caveat, Dr. Goldstein lists different resources specifically related to each principle that the reader can utilize for more information.

I recommend this book to those in traditional sales positions as well as fundraising because many of the principles - compelling sales letters, relationship-building, face-to-face sales calls, choosing the most likely leads, record keeping, effective public relations campaigns and web site development - obviously pertain to both fields. As a former College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, I sent many staff members to workshops that only seem to promote the mystery of fundraising. This book all they needed, and I plan to use it in the future for novice and experienced personnel.

Dr. Stephen Goldstein's book, 30 Days to Successful Fundraising is a Gem. However, taking the workshop with him is even more dazzling. Having already chaired a fundraising campaign for my alma mater, I'm just sorry I didn't have the benefit of Dr. Goldstein's knowledge before I took on this task. Next time I'm called on to help raise some moola, I'll be better prepared.
Read the book. Take the workshop if you have the opportunity. You won't regret it. You'll be empowered.

Stephen Goldstein helps anyone involved in fundraising, either as a staff person or volunteer board member, to get back to the fundamentals. He takes the mystery out of asking for money by delivering practical advice on how to be an effective fundraiser. I've purchased copies for all of my favorite charitable organizations and have my own within easy reach. I won't get involved in fundraising efforts again without following the valuable steps outlined in this book.

I'm not a fundraiser--I'm a donor, and I stumbled on this book while looking for advice on how to choose worthy charities to support. What an eye-opener it is. Now I'm going to offer this book to fundraisers who approach me with tired old pitches.

What an eye-opening pleasure to find a book so direct and plain-talking and generous with its genuinely practical advice. If you're raising money, you'll learn here how to make targeted, carefully crafted appeals that produce results. If you're giving money or time, this book works in reverse to help you choose intelligently how to help others do their good works.

DR. GOLDSTEIN HAS TAKEN THE MYSTERY OUT OF FUND RAISING IN 30 FASCINATING DAYS. AS A PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISER FOR A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION, I WAS MISSING THE MOST OBVIOUS TECHNIQUES THAT WOULD INCREASE MY FUND RAISING DOLLARS.I COULDN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT DAY,USE THE EXERCISES WHICH BY THE 30TH DAY HAD CREATED MY NEW FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN.

BY UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH DAY OF THE 30 DAYS YOU READ BRINGS YOU CLOSER TO WHY YOU MAY HAVE FAILED BEFORE.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'VE CLEARLY BEEN UNAWARE OF. A MUST READ ARE DAYS 12.18 & 25 WHICH WILL HAVE YOU SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD & SAYING "YES,OF COURSE'HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THAT STEP?
THIS IS TRUELY THE BIBLE WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

This book is refreshingly reminiscent of "The One Minute Manager." There are so few gems like this that simply and clearly give the important substance of a topic without wandering through needless arcane rhetoric that sounds intellectual but leaves the reader wondering what to do. Concrete information that every fundraiser needs to know - from creating a budget to finding and asking for money to appropriately recognizing donors is presented in a step-by-step, plain-spoken way. And it all makes immediate sense. Just to make sure the reader grasps and personalizes each concept, Dr. Goldstein makes every chapter interactive. Each principle is reinforced with a few questions for the reader, such as: "List 3-5 `sizzles' that would sell a potential donor," "write a snappy `p.s.' that prompts a potential donor to donate," "list 5 lawyers who specialize in wills and estates who might work with you to find major donors." As a brilliant and most useful caveat, Dr. Goldstein lists different resources specifically related to each principle that the reader can utilize for more information.

I recommend this book to those in traditional sales positions as well as fundraising because many of the principles - compelling sales letters, relationship-building, face-to-face sales calls, choosing the most likely leads, record keeping, effective public relations campaigns and web site development - obviously pertain to both fields. As a former College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, I sent many staff members to workshops that only seem to promote the mystery of fundraising. This book all they needed, and I plan to use it in the future for novice and experienced personnel.

If only this book were available when I started working in the non-for-profit world. Dr. Goldstein is brilliant. Once you've used this unique, interactive program, you'll never need another one.