If you were to give one book to an aspiring nonprofit leader, board member, or donor, what would it be?
Ever since it was founded in 1988, The Chronicle has been publishing summaries of notable new books about the nonprofit world.
The sheer number of those book announcements would surprise even the best-read nonprofit leader.
So we’re asking for your help in wading through the stacks to find the very best—and we’re going to rely on social networks to help us do it.
We’ve started discussions on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to collect your nominations for what should be included in the ultimate philanthropy bookshelf. We’ll collect those submissions and from them, we’ll create a new Web feature that spotlights your favorites.
To follow the conversation on Twitter, simply search for the hashtag #philanthropybooks.
If you don’t want to limit your submissions to 140 characters, please join The Chronicle‘s groups on Facebook and LinkedIn and participate in the conversation there.
You’re also welcome to post comments at the end of this post to share your ideas.
0 Responses to Help Us Build the Ultimate Philanthropy Bookshelf
ddel2338 - May 25, 2010 at 11:16 am
“The Revolution Will Not Be Funded”. A sobering, alternative view at the non-profit system in this country. Everybody in this industry should read it, whether they agree with it or not.
briana1280 - May 25, 2010 at 2:33 pm
“How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas”"Tribes” by seth godin”Working Together: A Toolkit for Cooperative Efforts, Networks and Coalitions”
pamelacook - May 25, 2010 at 2:52 pm
“Leaving Microsoft to Change the World” by John Wood
craigweinrich - May 25, 2010 at 2:58 pm
“Good to Great” and the companion monograph “Good to Great for the Social Sector” by Jim Collins”Robin Hood Marketing” by Katya Andresson”Made to Stick” the Heath Brothers”Forces for Good” Leslie Crutchfield & Heather McLeod Grant”What Would Google Do?” Jeff Jarvis”Free” Chris Anderson”Why Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes” Andy Goodmanthe upcoming “Networked Nonprofit” by Allison Fine and Beth Kanter”Momentum” Allison Fine
abramsw - May 25, 2010 at 3:03 pm
“Good to Great & The Social Sectors”: It’s the “Elements of Style” for nonprofit management, everything you need to know in just 35 pages. No need to read the original G2G
morganmartin - May 25, 2010 at 3:14 pm
“Nonprofit Lifecycles: Stage-Based Wisdom for Nonprofit Capacity” by Susan Kenny Stevens”Yours for the Asking” by Reynold Levy”Successful Fundraising for Arts and Cultural Institutions” by Carolyn S. Friedman and Karen Brooks Hopkins”Uncharitable” by Dan Pallotta
margo36 - May 25, 2010 at 3:28 pm
“Leveraging Good Will: Strengthening Nonprofits by Engaging Businesses” by Alice Korngold. It is an absolutely essential book for any aspiring nonprofit leader, board member, or donor.
fwendt - May 25, 2010 at 3:48 pm
“Donor Centered Fundraising” by Penelope Burk is a solid book of ideas on how to treat your donorsand prospects.Excellent for Development professionals and for nonprofitBoard members.
ncrp620 - May 25, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Kurt Vonnegut, “God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater”
sanam - May 25, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Firstly, thanks Peter for all the super interesting articles write. I’m a regular reader. My fundraising book recommendation is “Relationshift” by Steve Chandler and Michael Bassoff. It is an enlightening book that debunks many myths around fundriasing, and reguides the reader to the essence of fundraising: relationships.Cheers,Sanam
pbrandon24 - May 25, 2010 at 5:43 pm
“The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives The American Economy and Can Save Capitalism” – Claire Gaudiana”Charity On Trial: What You Need To Know Before You Give” – Doug White”Open” – Andre Agassi – A surprisingly indirect and yet candid and inspiring look at what Philanthropy is really all about.Regards,PB
bill__huddleston - May 25, 2010 at 8:03 pm
I echo the choice of The Greater Good… by Clair Guadiana, it didn’t get anywhere near the notice it should have when it was published.I would also add as probably the most importmant book in my philanthropy and fundraising bookshelf, even though it does not deal specifically with non-profit issues is “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s key to understanding how to communicate and the three types of people you need in order to effectively communicate your message.Regards,Bill HuddlestonThe CFC CoachBillHuddleston1@gmail dot com
peter_panepento - May 26, 2010 at 8:54 am
Thank you for all of the great suggestions. We’re going to compile all of the nominations on this thread and in our social networks and try to come up with a representative list.Keep the nominations coming. We can always use more.
edwardable - May 26, 2010 at 9:42 am
“The Speed of Trust” by Stephen M.R. CoveyThe absolute ability of a philantropic organization to fulfill its mission relies on its credibility – THE critical factor. In this book, Covey examines the behavior of people and organizations that build or destroy trust. After 40 years in the non-profit field, I am convinced that this book is an absolute “must read” for both boards and staff of non-profits.Ed Able
randiweaver - May 26, 2010 at 12:42 pm
“Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan from Smart Philanthropy” by Paul Brest and Hal Harvey
jvb2111 - May 26, 2010 at 4:07 pm
“The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life” is the most compelling book I’ve ever read about the beauty and power of philanthropic giving. It effects every interaction I have with donors, whether they be individuals, corporations, or foundations. Also, “Brandraising: How Nonprofits Raise Money and Visibility Through Smart Communications” is a crash course in how to make your nonprofit stand out while staying true to the mission. Reading it is the quickest way to come across as a communications genius.
rangerover - May 27, 2010 at 4:53 pm
“Small Change: Why Business Won’t Save the World” by Michael Edwards is the best and boldest book on philanthropy in years. Finally, a book that speaks out in defense of non-profits and the kind of support they need.”Grassroots Philanthropy” by Bill Somerville is not far behind – a breath of fresh air from someone who has spent is life in the field.
bimdieke - May 28, 2010 at 1:56 pm
“Philanthropy – Voluntary Action for the Public Good” by Bob Payton. The first book anyone should read before starting a career in giving or getting money and working for the public good.
jadles - May 29, 2010 at 12:17 pm
“The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership & Management” – full of excellent articles “Beyond Fundraising” – A great theoretical primer for fundraisers”Demystifying Grant Seeking” By Larissa Brown – A guided tour of how to write a private grant”Infections and Inequalities” and “Pathologies of Power” By Dr. Paul Farmer (Partners In Health) – The philosophy and strategy of perhaps the most powerful movement toward health equity
kevinmurphy - May 30, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I’m showing my age, but “Megagifts” by Jerry Panas still deserves “must read” status. First book to really explain why donors gave. It’s a message too often lost these days.
mdelman88 - May 30, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Steve Goldberg, Billions of Drops in Millions of BucketsGreat book!
dvitanov - May 30, 2010 at 10:46 pm
“Billions of Drops in Millions of Buckets” by Steve Goldberg”Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan from Smart Philanthropy” by Paul Brest and Hal Harvey
fullervillage - May 31, 2010 at 8:04 pm
“Billion of Drops in Millions of Buckets” by Steve Goldberg
fabfrank - June 1, 2010 at 12:04 pm
“Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient, and Rewarding for All” by Robert Egger, founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen.
geoff_link - June 1, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I think this is what we want to say: Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do It Right, 2nd edition, by Gregory Colvin is essential reading. It is the seminal work in the field that has changed the nomenclature. and therefore the practice, of fiscal sponsorship, from laissez-faire to sound financial management.
geoff_link - June 1, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do It Right, 2nd edition, by Gregory Colvin is essential reading. It is the seminal work in the field that has changed the nomenclature. and therefore the practice, of fiscal sponsorship, from laissez-faire to sound financial management.
caleenjohnson - June 1, 2010 at 5:23 pm
“The Influential Fundraiser” by Bernard Ross and Clare Segal. Also, I second an earlier submission: Penelope Burk’s “Donor-Centered Fundraising.”
kenr1029 - June 2, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I’d add The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley. It provides insight about how many people, not all but many, with wealth actually live. Often people who look wealthy are not, and those who have significant wealth do so because they live rather ordinary lives.
robc9319 - June 18, 2010 at 12:08 pm
With great respect to all the fine books mentioned, it would be a gross omission to the Ultimate Philanthropy Bookshelf not to include the first great book on fund raising, written in the 1960′s by Harold “Si” Seymour: Designs for Fund Raising. For decades, it was the iconic reference work in our field and its gentle lessons are still imperative to know today.
penelopecagney - December 10, 2010 at 3:51 pm
“Nonprofit Consulting Essentials: What Nonprofits and Consultants Need to Know” Jossey-Bass/Alliance for Nonprofit Management 2010. I also recommend “Breakthrough Thinking for Nonprofits” by Bernard Ross.
pmcallister - January 3, 2011 at 12:42 pm
A second vote for Si Seymour. Human nature has not changed, nor have the fundamentals of the field.
I’d add the second great book on fund raising …
The Raising of Money, by Jim Lord (first published nearly 30 years ago and just out in a new edition).
basaproject - January 27, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Bringing Progress to Paradise, Jeff Rasley
Analyzes cultural sensitivity issues through lens of author’s personal experience with project work in Nepal.