This book highlights for non-profit professionals and volunteers often overlooked techniques and strategies for successful fundraising--techniques and strategies designed to avoid costly mistakes resulting from missed opportunities, under-utilized leadership, and squandered budgets. It's not necessary to read this book from beginning to end. Each concise chapter stands alone, spurring new ideas and encouraging the reader to reexamine customary fundraising approaches. From capital campaigning to leadership development, from evaluating fundraising cost-effectiveness to raising endowment, Gary offers helpful tips for strengthening a charitable organization's fundraising appeals, motivating its leadership, and implementing effective major gift strategies. Developed and tested over 40 years of Gary's management consulting experience throughout the philanthropic sector, his insights and sound advice have inspired others in their dedicated support of our nation's charitable organizations and enterprises.
Writing to raise money takes more than a few choice words. Highly profitable communications use a wide array of "trade secrets" to boost response. Things like emotional triggers, a working knowledge of reader psychology, the discovery of eye motion studies, and donor research ? all help writing pros reap big rewards from their appeal letters, newsletters, websites, case statements, and more.Now these trade secrets are yours, collected in one easy-to-understand volume: How to Write Fundraising Materials that Raise More Money ? The Art, the Science, the Secrets. Author Tom Ahern is recognized as one of North America's leading experts on effective communications. His workshops are in hot demand. Last year he released a first-of-its-kind book on moneymaking donor newsletters.Now, in his new book, Ahern reveals all: how top fundraising writers inspire their prospects to make that first gift ? and how they keep existing donors loyal and generous.Raising more money through words, via the printed page or online, is no accident. But anyone can do it well: you don?t need special writing talent. All you need is this essential guide to best practices in the fundraising industry.
Startup money is moving online, and this guide shows you how it works. The Art of Startup Fundraising takes a fresh look at raising money for startups, with a focus on the changing face of startup finance. New regulations are making the old go-to advice less relevant, as startup money is increasingly moving online. These new waters are all but uncharted—and founders need an accessible guide. This book helps you navigate the online world of startup fundraising with easy-to-follow explanations and expert perspective on the new digital world of finance. You'll find tips and tricks on raising money and investing in startups from early stage to growth stage, and develop a clear strategy based on the new realities surrounding today's startup landscape. The finance world is in a massive state of flux. Changes are occurring at an increasing pace in all sectors, but few more intensely than the startup sphere. When the paradigm changes, your processes must change with it. This book shows you how startup funding works, with expert coaching toward the new rules on the field. Learn how the JOBS Act impacts the fundraising model Gain insight on startups from early stage to growth stage Find the money you need to get your venture going Craft your pitch and optimize the strategy Build momentum Identify the right investors Avoid the common mistakes Don't rely on the "how we did it" tales from superstar startups, as these stories are unique and applied to exceptional scenarios. The game has changed, and playing by the old rules only gets you left behind. Whether you're founding a startup or looking to invest, The Art of Startup Fundraising provides the up-to-the-minute guidance you need.
I wrote this book to help nonprofit staff and experienced fundraising professionals excel in today's tough fundraising environment. The nonprofit sector continues to be ravaged by changes-everything from scandals to the realignment of borders of national organizations. No matter what level you are in the organization, the information in this book will help you understand that Attitude + Passion = Results (A+P=R), and determine if you have the right attitude to be working in the nonprofit sector. The Art of the Ask is actually quite simple: - You make your ask. - You make your case. - You show the benefits. - Then you stop talking. The teachings and stories in this book can be read from different perspectives: current executive directors, aspiring executive directors, development officers, board members, and community stakeholders. Whether the organization you work for is large or small, this book gives you the tools to determine if you are in the right place in your career. "Large" is the equivalent of state and national NPOs. "Small" is the equivalent of an organization that does not carry a charter from big brother. In the end, all NPOs need to have a local presence with grassroots efforts. Donors need to know, like, and respect you. Unfortunately, organizations are looking at the economies of scale and closing local offices. This, in my opinion, negatively affects the organization's fundraising efforts. Philanthropy giving is not disappearing. Giving simply looks different these days and we need to be open to the ways of work. With change come new opportunities. The big change we're realizing is that the world is much more flat and connected than we ever thought possible. This means you have greater opportunities to increase your fundraising efforts. Are you in the right position? You may have a passion for your organization's mission and cause, but do you have what it takes to "ask" for the dollars? My coach has taught me that 85 percent of success is having the confidence from looking within. it's time for you to take that look within for yourself.
Why does it cost nonprofits on average $20 to raise $100, while it costs companies only $4? Simply put: Nonprofits have no leverage. No one has to make a donation. And since most donors have no direct stake in the organizations they support, they make donations out of the goodness of their hearts. If donors feel like writing a check, they will. If they don't, they won't. The End of Fundraising turns fundraising on its head, teaching nonprofits how to stop begging for charity and start selling impact. For the first time, nonprofits have economic power. We live in a new era where consumers, businesses, investors, employees, and service providers attach real economic value to social outcomes. An era where yesterday's "feel good" issues—education, the environment, health care, the arts, and animal rights—now have direct economic consequences and opportunities. Nonprofits now have leverage. To use this leverage, nonprofits must learn how to "sell" their impact to a new set of stakeholders. Using his fifteen years of experience advising the world's leading nonprofits, foundations, and corporations, Jason Saul reveals the formula for how nonprofits transcend the paradigm of charitable fundraising and reach true financial sustainability. Specifically, this groundbreaking book offers nonprofit professionals a guide to Understand the role of social change in our economy Capture and communicate impact in simple, compelling terms Identify the new market stakeholders that value nonprofit outcomes Create powerful value propositions to increase leverage Improve the success of a nonprofit's pitches to funders The End of Fundraising includes the tools needed to effectively frame, market, and sell a nonprofit organization's impact, and contains step-by-step guidance for creating dynamic new opportunities with a variety of funders.
A valuable set of reflections, anecdotes, and pure fund raising wisdom from one of the great pioneers in the development field. --Michael O'Neill, professor and director, Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management, University of San Francisco For over forty-five years, Henry Rosso has worked to enhance and advance the work and lives of professional fund raisers the world over. He has been recognized as the person who has most shaped present fund raising practice and theory. In this book of thoughtful essays, he explores a variety of topics including leadership, stewardship, the art of asking, building relationships, and more--all in a refreshing writing style that makes fund raising human and friAndly.
The Generosity Network is the essential guide to the art of activating resources of every kind behind any worthy cause. Philanthropist Jeff Walker and fund-raising expert Jennifer McCrea offer a fresh new perspective that can make the toughest challenges of nonprofit management and development less stressful, more rewarding—and even fun. Walker and McCrea show how traditional pre-scripted, money-centered, goal-oriented fund-raising techniques lead to anxiety and failure, while open-spirited, curiosity-driven, person-to-person connections lead to discovery, growth—and often amazing results. Through engrossing personal stories, a wealth of innovative suggestions, and inspiring examples, they show nonprofit leaders how to build a community of engaged partners who share a common passion and are eager to provide the resources needed to change the world—not just money, but also time, talents, personal networks, creative thinking, public support, and all the other forms of social capital that often seem scanty yet are really abundant, waiting to be uncovered and mobilized. Highly practical, motivating, and thought provoking, The Generosity Network is designed to energize and empower nonprofit leaders, managers, donors, board members, and other supporters. Whether you help run a multimillion-dollar global nonprofit or raise funds for a local scout troop, PTA, or other community organization, you’ll learn new approaches that will make your work more successful and enjoyable than ever.
The new edition of the definitive guide for venture capital practitioners—covers the entire process of venture firm formation & management, fund-raising, portfolio construction, value creation, and exit strategies Since its initial publication, The Business of Venture Capital has been hailed as the definitive, most comprehensive book on the subject. Now in its third edition, this market-leading text explains the multiple facets of the business of venture capital, from raising venture funds, to structuring investments, to generating consistent returns, to evaluating exit strategies. Author and VC Mahendra Ramsinghani who has invested in startups and venture funds for over a decade, offers best practices from experts on the front lines of this business. This fully-updated edition includes fresh perspectives on the Softbank effect, career paths for young professionals, case studies and cultural disasters, investment models, epic failures, and more. Readers are guided through each stage of the VC process, supported by a companion website containing tools such as the LP-GP Fund Due Diligence Checklist, the Investment Due Diligence Checklist, an Investment Summary format, and links to white papers and other industry guidelines. Designed for experienced practitioners, angels, devils, and novices alike, this valuable resource: Identifies the key attributes of a VC professional and the arc of an investor’s career Covers the art of raising a venture fund, identifying anchor investors, fund due diligence, negotiating fund investment terms with limited partners, and more Examines the distinct aspects of portfolio construction and value creation Balances technical analyses and real-world insights Features interviews, personal stories, anecdotes, and wisdom from leading venture capitalists The Business of Venture Capital, Third Edition is a must-read book for anyone seeking to raise a venture fund or pursue a career in venture capital, as well as practicing venture capitalists, angel investors or devils alike, limited partners, attorneys, start-up entrepreneurs, and MBA students.
"Proper application of the fund development process can define anorganization's potential for public support and the direct means toachieve it, and can realize, even predict with reliability, theincome an organization can and should expect at any moment intime."--James M. Greenfield. As the driving force behind every not-for-profit, fund raising is akey to an organization's success in fulfilling its mission.However, while it's important to develop the skills needed to raisemoney, it's equally important to know how to allocate it properlyin order to meet your goals. Now revised and expanded, thispractical resource provides an accessible game plan for not onlyraising funds, but also developing them effectively for increasedproductivity and profitability. Written by James M. Greenfield, a leading authority in the field,Fund Raising takes you step-by-step through the entire funddevelopment process, from planning and marketing to communityrelations and donor management. Beginning with an examination ofphilanthropic history and perspective, it goes on to describe theindividual elements of the development process, as well as theorganizational requirements needed for the process to work. Withdetail and clarity, Greenfield covers such essential bases as theevaluation of program effectiveness, policies and procedures forpublic solicitation, the fund raising environmental audit, matchinggift programs, donor recognition, special projects campaigns, andmuch more. Threaded throughout the book is the theme of "friendraising and relationship building," both vital components ofincreasing capability and capacity to address the needs of today,with an eye toward those of tomorrow. Along with an added, in-depth discussion of ethics, the SecondEdition introduces new best practices that have developed over thepast few years, and features updated data, useful worksheets, suchas economic statistics, demographics, and reports from the AmericanAssociation of Fund-Raising Council. Packed with numerous examples,case studies, and checklists, this exhaustive resource is essentialreading for anyone looking to achieve--and maintain--fund-raisingsuccess. "There is the current need for a better understanding of how thefund development process can best be utilized and improved so thatcommunity benefits can be realized with adequate funding. This bookis intended to be a contribution to that end." --from thePreface Now revised and expanded, this practical resource takes you throughthe entire fund development process, giving you the master plannecessary for realizing the full fund-raising potential of yournonprofit organization. Covering everything from accountability andstewardship to public solicitation and donor relations, the SecondEdition has been updated to include the latest economic figures,demographics, and reports from the American Association ofFund-Raising Council, as well as an added, in-depth discussion ofethics, worksheets for performance analysis, and new best practicesthat have developed over the past few years. Jacket Design: Andrew Liefer
Achieving Excellence in Fundraising is the go-to reference for fundraising principles, concepts, and techniques. With comprehensive guidance toward the fundraising role, this book reflects the latest advances in fundraising knowledge. Coverage includes evolving technologies, the importance of high net worth donors, global fundraising perspectives, results analysis and performance evaluation, accountability, and credentialing, with contributions from noted experts in the field. You'll gain essential insight into the practice of fundraising and the fundraising cycle, reinforced by ancillary discussion questions, case studies, and additional readings. With contributions from members of The Fund Raising School and the faculty of Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, this new edition includes detailed guidance on nonprofit accounting practices as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, rounding out the complete, thorough coverage of the fundraising profession. Designed to provide both theory and practical knowledge, this book is an all-in-one resource for anyone who performs fundraising duties. Understand donor dynamics and craft an institutional development plan Explore essential marketing and solicitation techniques Learn effective volunteer recruitment, retention, and management strategies Fundraising merges a variety of fields including psychology, business management, accounting, and marketing, making it a unique role that requires a uniquely well rounded yet focused skillset. Amidst economic uncertainty and a widening wealth gap the world over, it's more important than ever for fundraisers to have a firm grasp on the tools at their disposal. Achieving Excellence in Fundraising is the ultimate guide to succeeding in this critical role.
