Reading is important, whether you read for pleasure or for business, or both!
So what’s on your reading list for the New Year?
Reading is Fundamental for Nonprofit Professionals
As a nonprofit professional, reading is vital for staying on top of fundraising trends and strategies. It’s also important to stay informed, knowledgeable and current, so you can converse with your donors, and generally be a well-rounded person (among many other reasons).
So, turn off the TV, or put down your phone at least 20 minutes before bed, and pick up a good book instead.
5 Recommended Books for Nonprofit Professionals
Here are five of my favorites from this year, as well as some oldies but goodies.
1. A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger
This is an oldie, but goodie. I love this book because of its thought-provoking questions. One especially important question Berger asks is: “What would you do if you could not fail?”
This is especially important for fundraisers to think about, because we tend to be on the cautious side. Fundraisers tend to play it safe. They stick to what they know and don’t take risks. But what would you do if you knew you could not fail? Would you ask for more money? Connect with more donors? Start a capital campaign?
Check it out — A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas
2. Asking Styles, by Brian Saber
This book is “hot off the press” and explores how personality type impacts your fundraising. It helps you determine whether you are an introvert or an extravert (in case you don’t already know) and whether you are analytical or introspective.
Not only that, it focuses on the personality type of your donor, and how that might impact your solicitation style (or “Asking Style”).
You can discover your asking style at the Asking Matters website.
Check it out — Asking Styles: Revolutionize Your Fundraising
3. Capital Campaigns: Strategies that Work, 4th Edition, by Andrea Kihlstedt
Also new this year is a book recently released in it’s 4th edition! It’s a classic in the campaign world, and if you’re considering a campaign or you’re in the early stages, this is book is a must. You may already be familiar with Andrea’s writing through Capital Campaign Masters.
Andrea and I have partnered this year to work on a new exciting project called the Capital Campaign Toolkit. We’re busy reworking the site to better highlight the power of this incredible new platform — stay tuned for details soon!
Check it out — Capital Campaigns: Strategies that Work
4. They Told Me Not to Take That Job, by Reynold Levy
This is one on my nightstand table in my “to read” pile. So I can’t yet say for sure what’s inside.
What I can say is that Reynold Levy, the former “fundraiser in chief” at Lincoln Center, is one of the best fundraisers around. I’ve seen him speak several times about his work with donors and he’s super inspiring. I’m looking forward to learning from one of the best of the best.
Check it out — They Told Me Not to Take That Job
5. Becoming, by Michelle Obama
A truly inspirational story by one of the most amazing, modern first ladies. I couldn’t put this one down. Whether you love her or don’t know much about her, this is a must-read. It’s what your donors — especially your women donors — are reading and talking about. So if for no other reason than to be able to converse with your donors, you should check out this book.
Not only that, Obama provides inspiration and humility with her constant refrain, asking herself over and over, “Am I good enough?” and responding, “Yes, I am.” It’s a question women ask themselves all the time: Am I good enough? I could go on and on, but I’ll let you discover all the gems in this wonderful story on your own.
Check it out — Becoming
Books Open Your Mind Like Nothing Else
One of my guilty pleasures in life is buying books. I don’t read on an electric device (not yet anyway) and I don’t get books from library very often. Instead, I buy my own copies so I can read them with a pen in my hand as I underline and dog-ear the pages, and take additional notes on the inside covers.
Simply put, reading can open your mind and give you fuel to think and grow like nothing else can — and that is so important in an age where most of us overindulge in screentime.
Now I’d love to hear from you. What are your favorites — fundraising-related or otherwise?
And would you be interested in a fundraising book club? I’m thinking of starting one this year, so let me know in the comments below and I’ll add you to the list.
Dear Amy,
I work and live in London, UK. I love your idea of a fundraising book club and I would like to join it. I am a non-profit professional with over 20 years’ experience, working with non profits here in the UK and overseas too.
Sian.
A fundraising book club sounds interesting. I would prefer not to have to read book after book in quick succession though. I prefer to choose a book and spend a bit of time with it–reading and discussing a few chapters at a time (of course depending on the size of the book!).
I’d love to be part of the book club. Thanks!
A staple for me that I have given to many is SWITCH, by the Heath bros. Great tool for adjusting mindsets and starting with what is right.
I would love for you to start a book club. I too enjoy purchasing books. I will definitely be getting the five books you recommended, well three because I have two already.
This is a great list, Amy. I teach an arts administration fundraising course at NYU and assigned a book report for homework, giving the students choices of several books, including Reynold Levy’s. The students who chose it found it insightful and inspiring.
In addition to “They Told Me Not to Take This Job” the other books were: “Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance” by Edgar Villanueva; “The Givers: Money, Power and Philanthropy in a New Gilded Age” by David Callahan’ “Generation Impact: how Net Gen Donors Are Revolutionizing Giving” by Sharna Goldseker and “Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives our Success” by Adam Grant. Rob Reich’s “Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better” had not been published yet and was not available but I would have added that to the list, too.
Great list! Thanks, Cynthia.
Amy – I would LOVE to be part of a book club!!! If you start one I am in!!
On my nightstand is Leadership by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I loved her book Team of Rivals.
Another really good book on forging a new path is John Adams by David McCollough.
What has been most fascinating to me in my role is how much leadership and team building there is in fundraising – even when you may be the only employee in that role!
Thank you for all of the guidance and inspiration you have given me this year.
I hope you have a great holiday season and are able to read some good books with a nice cup of tea!
Thanks for the great book suggestions, Jane! Happy Holidays!
Yes! Great idea! Please add me to the fundraising book club list: shelly.doucet@gmail.com
Thanks for this, and for covering topics that are beyond techniques and tactics:-). We need to be well-rounded.
Count me in on the fundraising book club! Great idea. Happy holidays!
Hi amy,
I like the idea of the readers’ club. Count me in. Thank you also for the books list. Unfortunately I may not easily get them here in Tanzania. I suggest that under the club, we can send books to one another. We have good books here which I can share. Just finishing one:
I Can, I musy, I will, The spirit of Success by Reginald Mengi.
It is inspiring. Mengi is a Tanzanian millionare and Philanthropist.
Another good one is Fundraising and Zombies, by John Baguley. Both books came out this year.
I am looking out for that one..Becoming. I have heard of it but not on our market!
And allow me appreciate the literature you provided with :Major gift Fundraising, 50 Asks in 50 Weeks and Raising more with less. These revolutionalised the Fundraising landscape in East Africa where I work.
Yes! I would like to be in the fundraising book club. I saw Michelle Obama speak about her book in Philadelphia. Brian Saber will be my guest on my radio show/podcast in January!
Yes, please add me to the book club!
Amy,
I would love to be part of your book club. Would love to read “Becoming” I requested it as a Christmas gift this year! Best, Debra
Great list, thank you! Please add me to the book club list—great idea!
Hello .Amy,
Many thanks for the great enriching book list! Will stay keen on reading and being informed…
The consensus to follow through on your Book Club idea is pretty evident, Amy, best wishes with its undertaking.
Am glad I stumbled across your website. Bookmarked! to glean some more of your great ideas and helpful insights moving forward. A safe & happy holiday season to all right into the new year.
Love the idea of a fundraising book club. That would be very supportive for me.
I would also like to be part of the book club.
I would love to join a fundraising book club!
Thank you to the others who made other book suggestions in the comments. I am blessed we have a library at my organization so when I need a book(s) I send it to our librarian to order.
Hi Amy,
I too would love to be part of your book club. Hope you decide to launch it in 2019!
Happy New Year,
Leigh Ann Jacobson CFRE