In Storytelling for Grantseekers, consultant and trainer Cheryl A. Clarke helps fundraisers overcome these hurdles by presenting an organic approach to proposal writing. Grantseekers who have used this unique process discover that telling the organization's story in narrative form (complete with settings, characters, antagonists, and resolutions), can help them connect with grantmakers and ultimately have greater success with funders. This fresh and creative guide contains the resources needed to help you craft a persuasive synopsis, package a compelling story, and create a short story approach to the inquiry and cover letters that support the larger proposal. Clarke walks grantseekers through all the phases of developing an effective proposal and highlights the creative elements that link components to each other and unify the entire proposal. Clarke also stresses the need to see proposal writing as part of a larger grantseeking effort, one that emphasizes preparation, working with the entire development staff, and maintaining good relations with funders. Using the suggestions outlined in Storytelling for Grantseekers, new and seasoned grantseekers will discover how to channel their passion to tell their organization's tale and create winning proposals.

    This book provides nonprofit professionals with the conceptual frameworks, practical knowledge, and concise guidance needed to succeed in the social sector. Designed as a handbook, the book is filled with sage advice and insights from a variety of trusted experts that can help nonprofit professionals prepare to achieve their organizational and personal goals, develop a better understanding of what they need to do to lead, support, and grow an effective organization.Addresses a wealth of topics including fundraising, Managing Technology, Marketing, Finances, Advocacy, Working with Boards Contributors are noted nonprofit experts who define the core capabilities needed to manage a successful nonprofit Author is the former Executive Director of Craigslist Foundation This important resource offers professionals key insights that will have a direct impact on improving their daily work.

    If all that has ever been said and written about the art and science of fundraising could be distilled down to just what really matters--what fundraisers everywhere need to know--there would be only a small number of true gems deserving of the description, "nuggets of information." Leading international fundraiser Ken Burnett, author of the classic Relationship Fundraising, has identified and defined 89 such nuggets which he presents here as The Zen of Fundraising, a fun read, one-of-a-kind look into what makes donors tick and-more importantly-what makes them give.

    . .but is anyone paying attention?In her follow-up to The Nonprofit Marketing Guide: High-Impact, Low-Cost Ways to Build Support for Your Good Cause, Kivi Leroux Miller shows you how to design and implement a content marketing strategy that will attract people to your cause, rather than begging for their attention or interrupting them with your communications. Youll learn how to plan, create, share, and manage relevant and valuable content that inspires and motivates people to support your nonprofit in many different ways.Inside: Eye-opening look at how nonprofit marketing and fundraising is changing, and the perils of not quickly adapting Up-to-date guidance on communicating in a fast-paced, multichannel world How to make big-picture strategic decisions about your content, followed by pragmatic and doable tactics on everything from editorial calendars to repurposing content Real-world examples from 100+ nonprofits of all sizes and missions  This book is your must-have guide to communicating so that you keep the supporters you already have, attract new ones, and together, change the world for the better.

    Working from research conducted over six years with hundreds of charities and donors, Donor-Centered Fundraising paints a candid picture of why donors stop giving to charities they once supported, and what it will take to preserve their loyalty in the future. In clear language and backed by statistical evidence, Penelope Burk explores the pitfalls of our traditional approaches to donor communication and recognition and articulates what donors want but seldom get from the charities they support. The book features straightforward and accessible calculations that show how much money charities are failing to raise, and offers a step-by-step procedure for testing a donor-centered alternative and gaining its acceptance in any organization. Filled with eye-opening, humorous, and often poignant anecdotes from both donors and charities, Donor-Centered Fundraising is both a revealing expose and an entertaining read. This book is written for fundraisers, executive directors, communications staff, board members, and any staff or volunteers who interact with donors or deal with the financial support of charitable organizations. Donor-Centered Fundraising sets a new standard for success and establishes itself as the essential fundraising methodology for the times.

    Whether you work for a storefront social action agency or a leading university, the authors' knowledgeable, practical advice will help you: Write the perfect proposal—from the initial research and interviews to the final product Draft, revise, and polish a "beguiling, exciting, can't-put-it-down and surely can't-turn-it-down" request for funds Create case statements and other big money materials—also write, design, and print newsletters, and use the World Wide Web effectively Survive last-minute proposals and other crises—with the Down-and-Dirty Proposal Kit! Writing for a Good Cause provides everything fund raisers, volunteers, staff writers, freelancers, and program directors need to know to win funds from individual, foundation, and corporate donors.

    Written by two authors who have won millions of dollars in grants -- and updated to include vital information and advice accumulated since The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need first appeared -- this new edition provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for grant writers, demystifying the process while offering indispensable advice from funders and grant recipients. It includes the following. Guidance on developing a realistic, cost-effective, collaborative program Concrete suggestions (with practice exercises and examples) for approaching each section of a grant so that the proposal is absolutely clear to the funder A glossary of terms with any word, phrase, or concept a grant writer may need, plus fifty tips for writing a winning proposal Funders roundtables put you inside the minds of the people who award grants

    Jeff Brooks takes you on a step-by-step tour of the unique strategies, writing style, and design techniques of irresistible fundraising messages. This book is designed help the reader to start writing, designing, and thinking like a seasoned fundraising pro.

    30 charts. 12 line drawings.

    With contributions from noted experts in the field, and filled with illustrative examples, this book demonstrates why fundraising is a strategic management discipline and clearly defines each step in the fundraising cycle. Praise for the Third Edition of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising"Achieving Excellence in Fundraising brings together the voices of leaders in the field with the research expertise of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. This winning combination makes the updated third edition an excellent resource for everyone engaged in nonprofit fundraising." --John Lippincott, president, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)"This book is the best road map--coupled with creative approaches to the practice of fund development--you will find. The sections addressing donor interest and stewardship alone are worth the price. Take time to enhance your fundraising skills, and, most importantly, increase your fundraising results. Tempel, Seiler, and Aldrich have collaborated on apublication worthy of serious study." --William C. McGinly, president and CEO, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy"The third edition of this seminal piece of literature, Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, is a wonderful continuation of a legacy that provides the nonprofit sector with a thoughtful, comprehensive, and well-organized approach to contemporary and ethical fundraising practices. The legacy lives on!" --Denny Smith, president and CEO, CFRE International"One of the most significant challenges that the grantee organizations of foundations face is building sustainable resources. Achieving Excellence in Fundraising will help them build the fundraising program they need to do so." --Steve Gunderson, president and CEO, Council on Foundations"Today's donors seek new philanthropic experiences. Achieving Excellence in Fundraising couples the importance of good stewardship and relationships with innovation, engagement, and long-term results. This third edition takes a critical new look at a classic sector must-read." --Brian Gallagher, president and CEO, United Way Worldwide

    It provides a framework for analyzing and quickly adapting to future challenges. And it helps all board and staff members focus more clearly on your organization's priorities, while building commitment and promoting cooperation and innovation.But to be effective, your plan will need to address the special needs of the nonprofit sector. And for more than a decade, Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations has been the number-one source of guidance on all facets of strategic planning for managers at nonprofits of every size and budget. This thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded edition arms you with the expert knowledge and tools you need to develop and implement surefire strategic plans, including tested-in-the-trenches worksheets, checklists, and tables—in print and on the companion CD-ROM—along with a book-length case study that lets you observe strategic planning in action. Packed with real-world insights and practical pointers, it shows you how to: Develop a clear mission, vision, and set of values Conduct SWOT analyses and program evaluations Assess client needs and determine stakeholder concerns Set priorities and develop core strategies, goals, and objectives Balance the dual bottom lines of mission and money Write and implement a solid strategic plan Develop a user-friendly annual work plan Establish planning cycles, gauge progress, and update strategies

    The authors identify and profile seven types of major donors and offer you detailed strategies on how to approach them. Both novice and expert fundraisers will find this framework a valuable supplement to existing strategies and techniques.

    

    Fortunately, Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits will show you how. Featuring advice and stories from over 40 experienced fundraisers, foundation staffers, journalists and more, the 2nd edition of Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits explains how to: work with individual donors plan special events solicit grants from foundations and corporations get media coverage use the Web to further fundraising goals start a side business to raise funds and much more The 2nd edition also covers IRS rules and regulations, grassroots strategies for struggling nonprofits, the tools and staffing needed, and dozens of resources that you can take advantage of. Best of all, Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits is written in plain English, cutting out the jargon and consultant speak that's all too common in many nonprofit books.

    Effective, mission-focused communications can help organizations build strong identities, heightened reputations, and increased fundraising capability. Brandraising outlines a mission-driven approach to communications and marketing, specifically designed to boost fundraising efforts. This book provides tools and guidance for nonprofits seeking to transform their communications and marketing through smart positioning, branding, campaigns, and materials that leverage solid strategy and great creative, with a unique focus on the intersection of communications and fundraising.