We are in the midst of summer in the Northern Hemisphere—the time of year when we try to relax, get away, and read a book or two. (I suppose those in the middle of winter south of the Equator are trying to relax a bit too.) If you’re planning a getaway, or just looking for a good summer read, here are few books you should add to your reading list:
Retention Fundraising: The New Art and Science of Keeping Your Donors for Life by Roger Craver
If your nonprofit truly cares about keeping its donors, and it should, then this book is required reading for fundraisers. Roger’s years of research have uncovered why donors stop giving and how nonprofits can build lasting commitment. The paperback format makes it easy to dog-ear pages that you’re going to want to reference again and again.
Nonprofit Fundraising 101 by Darian Rodriguez Heyman
New to the world of fundraising or know someone who is just starting out in their career? Heyman’s latest book covers everything from developing a fundraising plan to engaging your board and measuring results. The book contains advice from several nonprofit experts, including myself, and has plenty of case studies too.
How to Turn Your Words Into Money: The Master Fundraiser’s Guide to Persuasive Writing by Jeff Brooks
If you or someone you love writes fundraising appeals, then Jeff Brooks’ latest book is a fantastic resource. He takes the time to explain why fundraising writing is different, the common pitfalls writers make, and plenty of examples of how to get it right. With so much talk about the importance of storytelling, it’s good to know there’s a book that guides you through the process.
Social Movements for Good: How Companies and Causes Create Viral Change by Derrick Feldmann
We are seeing a lot of changes in how individuals, nonprofits, companies, and movements interact. Feldmann’s new book explores the convergence of these trends with examples and insights. This is one of those books where you read a chapter and then frantically write down lots of ideas and notes that come into your head.
The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit: Strategies for Impact without Burnout by Beth Kanter and Aliza Sherman
This book doesn’t officially come out until October, but you can pre-order it now. Kanter and Sherman are really on to something with this new book. If you’re not taking care of yourself, then it’s hard to take care of the mission. Individuals and organizations need sustainable approaches to keeping themselves and their teams performing at a high level.
Happy reading…