Fundraising for Nonprofits: How to Build a Community Partnership

by P. Burke Keegan

A guide that shows nonprofit organizations how to raise funds more effectively by working with their communities.

Genres: Business

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 1994

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated and political.

Do you think of aging hippies when you think of non-profit work?
Because I don't. Maybe my Grandma would.
At any rate, this book was published in 1994 and it feels like it. The author frequently makes biting comments about President Reagan and bemoans the perceptions of non-profit workers as "aging hippies." I like that she breaks non-profits into three categories because, honestly, I find that quite helpful and frustrating that many non-profit books don't. (Fundraising for a theater looks different from fundraising for an advocacy group.)
But for the most part, the book holds very little value. It might have proven useful 25 years ago. But changes in technology, in policy, even in the nature of those who runs non-profit groups mean that it provides more use as a "what was done" than a "what should be done."

Finally, though the author never comes out and says only liberals run non-profits, she certainly assumes it and it got grating after a while. By all means put your political beliefs in your book. But maybe tone it down a little if your book isn't about politics?

[L · Rating 2 out of 5]

found some arguments against hiding costs through in-kind donations (like, it's fine to accept it, just put a number on it and keep a record).
as much as I appreciate sarcastic/snarky advice, the author's practice of listing tips for "How to Lose Donors Like Crazy" I found to be counter-productive. If the point of reading boring books like this is to let your brain stew in the subject, then I feel like I'm not even getting that benefit when I'm marinating in 'what not to do.'

p.49 "The person responsible for fundraising must also have her or his priorities very together. That person's first priority is the donor. That is who you primarily serve, along with the fundraising volunteers and the Board. That means that each donor is cared for as personally as possible. Letters and phone calls keep them informed and stroked. They are asked once a year for an appropriate amount. They are acknowledged publicly, if that is their desire. This caretaking job is just like the work you do to keep your personal life in order: remembering birthdays, favorite foods, names of grandchildren. Remember which wife is the current one and which is the ex. Be ready to recall pieces of previous conversations. Be impeccable with the details and people will appreciate it."

awesome:
p.74 "The difference between "commitment" and "involvement" is the difference between eggs and bacon. The chicken is involved. The pig is committed."

On grant-writing
p. 164
"1. Of all the money given in a single year by corporations, individuals, foundations, and through bequests, foundation giving accounts for only approximately 5%. Corporate giving is another 5%, gifts through bequests are another 10%, and individual giving accounts for the remaining 80%. Foundations are not where the money is.
...3. The current success rate for grants is approximately 7%. That means that 93% of all requests to foundations are turned down.
...4. The longer you rely on grants and ignore building your base of individual donors, the more project-oriented and dependent you will be. "

[Lindsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic fundraising knowledge. Somewhat sarcastic at times, but good content. I'd be interested to see if she has any updated methods for fundraising now since this was published in the 90's.