Have you ever found yourself frozen at the thought of asking a donor for money? You're not alone. For over 25 years, I’ve been coaching nonprofit leaders and executive directors who feel like they are completely making it up as they go. I am deeply passionate about demystifying this process because leadership is hard enough without the added exhaustion of false confidence. Fundraising isn’t about begging or transactional tricks—it’s about inviting people into a shared story to change the world. I want to help leaders find their own wiring and ask without fear.
I have read this book more than six times, and it is one of the few pieces of fundraising literature I keep coming back to.
Managing major gift fundraisers is messy, but this book offers an amazingly clear, practical framework that actually works. It moves past the generic advice and focuses entirely on the structure you need to build real, lasting donor relationships.
Are you searching for the next big idea in fundraising to help your organization soar? It’s actually right under your nose in your database. Major Donors. Right here, right now, you have the donors who have the capacity to give five, six, and yes, seven figure gifts. This book tells you how to find them, and what to do once you have them. Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels tell you everything you need to do to take your organization to a new level of performance in major gifts. This book is packed with easy to implement ideas and strategies to…
I love this book because it is gloriously messy—which is exactly what our fundraising communication needs to look like.
Too many nonprofits hide behind sterile, corporate language that completely kills their appeals. Jeff Brooks teaches you how to write with raw emotion and urgency. If you write fundraising letters and want people to actually read them, this is mandatory reading.
Big Ideas... For Small Businesses
by
John Lamerton,
Big Ideas… for Small Businesses is a straight-talking, no-nonsense guide to growing a small business without sacrificing your lifestyle. Written by a former civil servant turned entrepreneur, the book challenges hustle culture and instead champions the idea of an "ambitious lifestyle business" - one that provides freedom and financial stability,…
Thanking donors is one of the most important parts about fundraising—and the one that nonprofits epicly fail at.
Lisa Sargent is a masterful donor stewardship expert who leads readers into the joys of expressing gratitude. Despite what you may think, Thankology will actually help you and your donors enjoy your relationship. And a nice side effect is you will find yourself raising more money too.
Get the nonprofit book by Lisa Sargent that shows you how to transform your fundraising results and lift your donor retention to new highs through the often-overlooked power of proper thanking.
Complete with gratitude brain science, field-tested samples, and page after page of show-stopping results across donation thank-you letters, donor newsletters, annual reports, welcome packs, and more – plus a 6-step framework to ensure your donor thank you success every time – put your nonprofit first in line to buy this book.
Praise for Thankology: “Chapter by chapter, [Lisa Sargent] defines and describes the key milestones that will be fundraising's…
Most nonprofit newsletters are a complete waste of money because they are written for the wrong audience. They focus on the organization instead of the donor.
Tom Ahern completely flipped my perspective on this. He shows you exactly how to transform a standard newsletter into a powerful, active revenue stream that donors actually look forward to reading.
Few of us take the time to analyze our financial needs and goals to answer that pressing question. In Wealth Odyssey, author Larry R. Frank Sr. uses his extensive financial background to provide a universal road map that will help…
We often build fundraising systems that inadvertently put friction into the process, making it harder for people to give. I appreciate how Cherian Koshy breaks down the actual science of how our brains process generosity.
This book helped me understand how to communicate more clearly so that donors truly hear the appeal, bridging the gap between behavioral psychology and real-world fundraising.
A comprehensive discussion of the latest advances in fundraising strategy and donor decision-making
In Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making, fundraising and behavioral science expert, Cherian Koshy, delivers a point-by-point guide to creating crystal-clear messaging that transforms prospective donors into active donors. The author demonstrates a revolutionary, science-backed approach to fundraising that unpacks why donors move from considering a donation to actually donating.
Neurogiving integrates up-to-date insights from neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and proprietary research to generate a comprehensive roadmap for generating donor experiences that maximize generosity and long-term commitment.
Readers will also find:
Illustrative examples and research-informed strategies for applying…
Fundraising can feel genuinely terrifying, especially if you suddenly find yourself responsible for a nonprofit's budget without any formal training. You feel like everyone else got the manual, and you're just making it up as you go.
This book changes the fear. It breaks down the entire cycle into a simple, stress-free 4-step system. By focusing on building authentic relationships and sharing your cause with clarity, you can confidently secure the funding your organization needs to thrive—completely eliminating the fear of the ask.
This book will empower you to create more happiness, abundance, and fulfillment while honoring your values for self-care, life-work balance, and living your truth.
Diana Drake Long is recognized as one of the world's master coaches, and her Dream It, Design It, Live It system gives you the keys to…
If you’re drowning in paper, email, and information overload, SOAR to Success offers a proven, flexible system to help you finally feel on top of things again.
Written by productivity experts Andrea Anderson and Barbara Hemphill, this book goes beyond quick fixes. It teaches you how to build a simple,…
