100 Books Like Asking Properly

In this book basic politeness, previously viewed as an expensive, time-consuming administrative chore, author Lisa shows conclusively to be perhaps the single best fundraising opportunity of them all, particularly in securing a donor’s all-important second gift.

An ‘ology’ is a really big thing. With an ology, you’re a scientist. In Thank-ology the author elevates an attitude of gratitude to a richly creative and productive art backed by a precise understanding that produces results with certainty. I value it particularly because it’s packed with copyable examples and easy-to-follow guidance, all in an accessible style that reassures readers that here is friendly guidance through the intricacies of using thanking seriously, safely, and sincerely to warm the hearts of those who’ve just done something wonderful. The checklists, visuals, and open sharing of ideas really appealed to me, making this a book to treasure.

Great service organisations depend on great fundraising, but so often the understanding of what’s really required to consistently deliver great fundraising performance somehow eludes many of the best causes. In defining what it takes to dependably deliver truly spectacular and sustainable levels of voluntary income, this book walks the talk, detailing case studies of persistent achievement that truly deserve the descriptor ‘great’.

In describing what great fundraising means in detail, Alan Clayton exposes organisational foibles and shortcomings that can all be overcome, and so points out practical ways towards increased income for any organisation, plus how to be a happier, enriched workplace too. 

If you value startling insights designed to raise or save £millions backed by a straight-talking, no-nonsense approach rooted in more than 50 years in his craft, this book is for you. Roger Craver is The Agitator, founder and writer-in-chief for one of America’s most respected and influential websites in the field of not-for-profit fundraising.

In this book, Roger tears open the facade of successful fundraising today to expose the flaws that are limiting fundraisers’ ability to raise more, thus condemning organisations to massive underachievement. I loved the fact that, on top of the author’s unrivalled expertise and insights, this book’s core concerns and conclusions are based on a three-year study of donor retention and commitment among 250-plus nonprofits in the US and the UK.

Lots of inspirational, great things have been said over the ages by all sorts of people about the unique and essential process of giving to help others in need, an unquenchable, often undervalued quality of the human condition. Harvey McKinnon has researched in multiple unlikely places to unearth profound sayings and sound advice designed to spur the listener on to support a great cause or to lead others to support similar good works.

I loved the way, in his inimitable quirky style, Harvey delivers surprising yet helpful insights in an easily digestible format, with an inspirational, witty insight on every page. Among its many delightful surprises, Dolly Parton has more quotes included than Aristotle, Gandhi, and the Buddha combined.

I refer to it frequently just for a wise thought, a different take, a revelation, a chuckle, or a valuable insight. I’m never disappointed. You’ll want to keep this book close… show more.

I think most fundraisers have one big fear--that your prospective donor might say “no!” Kent Stroman’s book can show you how to master the art of conversational fundraising. I love this book because it gives you the tools you need to have meaningful, productive, enjoyable conversations with both current donors and potential funders. This book gives you the benefit of learning from the input of hundreds of nonprofit leaders who identified their greatest obstacles to asking for major gifts.

Kent will equip you to seek and find larger donations and gain confidence as a fundraising staff member or volunteer. His 10-Step Staircase will help you become more comfortable, confident, and effective when asking and help donors truly enjoy the gift-making process. This book should be considered required reading for anyone involved with serious fundraising.

This book will make you laugh for all ages readers. This funny school fund-raising managed by Ms. Sue has no other intention than entertaining. However, for me, it is a great value.

Funny and easy-to-read books help children build confidence as readers. If children read and laugh, they may ask to read another one. Fortunately, this book is part of the 12-chapter book series My Weirder School.

In Changing the World, Alex tells his own story, and it’s a compelling one, chocked full of useful lessons for anyone hoping to find a way to make a difference and take on any of the world’s seemingly intractable problems.   It’s all here, from how to break in, to recognizing an opportunity when it presents itself and knowing how to take full advantage of it, to building an organization and populating it with the right people, and how to raise the dough to finance your dream.  As to how to break-in, while he doesn’t say as much, I know Alex shares my view that the fastest and best way to break into international development work is to go and live where the problems of poverty live – which in Alex’s case was Bangladesh.  There he apprenticed himself to a 100-karat visionary, authentic social entrepreneur, Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.… show more.

If there’s anyone who cares about effective graphic design, it’s direct-mail experts and fundraisers like Brooks. Brooks devotes about one-quarter of his book to the “design of fundraising”—how to use graphics to improve response rates. If folks can’t read your pitch because of poor design, all the words you write won’t make a difference. “It doesn’t matter how great a piece looks if it’s hard to read,” he says. He deflates designs that make the designer feel good, but make the reader toss the communication because it’s just too much work to figure out.

While governance is a key aspect of any board member's responsibilities, often nonprofit board members are surprised or even disheartened by the requirement to fundraise on behalf of the organization. Some people are afraid that they can’t ask for money or are uncomfortable asking certain people and decide they don’t want to serve on the board. While there are a lot of books on fundraising, Asking Styles helps board members identify their asking style and what would be the most effective fundraising methods for them. It also helps understand how others feel about fundraising and how to work as a team to bring the most success to the organization. The book is a short read but full of great examples and practical guidance. 

The authors of this book, Jimmy LaRose and Joanne Oppelt, know what they are talking about because they have both led numerous organizations through this process. I have been consulting for more than thirty-five years, and I can assure you the principles outlined in this book work. I think you will agree that all nonprofits want to be successful in their fundraising in order to transform their communities.

The outstanding feature of this book is that it lists exactly what to do at each step of the way—creating your case, building your advancement calendar, running your non-ask event, running the ask-event, cultivating donors, building your campaign cabinet, and more. If you think you can’t possibly raise these big gifts. Trust me, you can.