Donor-Centered Fundraising: How to Hold on to Your Donors and Raise Much More Money

by Penelope Burk

Book Overview

In this thought-provoking book, author, researcher, and consultant Penelope Burk describes a groundbreaking methodology that challenges accepted fundraising practice and raises much more money.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0968797814
• ISBN13: 9780968797815
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Burk & Associates
• Length: 215 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

I love this book!

Penelope Burk has done an extensive amount of research to determine that current donors are worth time and the investment to cultivate. In this economy, nonprofits believe they need new dollars and they do, but they are losing sight of the value of their current and loyal supporters. I personally used this book to do more targeted, personal mailings and the results were fantastic! She also reminded us about the importance of a good thank you note and we then repackaged and freshened our whole direct mail campaign! Great stats, incredible insight and information you can actually use to get the dollars your organization needs! M. Sellers

A Radical New Way to Approach Fundraising

When my boss plunked this book down on my desk, I initially groaned. As a writer and editor with a non-profit ministry, the last thing I enjoy reading are books about fund-raising, marketing, etc. I detest them all because a) they read like IKEA instructions and b) their sole goal is supposedly new and creative ways to reach inside people's wallets. I have no taste or desire for that. But I have to say that Donor-Centered-Fundraising is a delightful change from the norm in marketing and fundraising. The title should have tipped me off. Penelope's heart-centered program for raising money goes beyond bullet-points, used-car salesman, and expense accounts. Her advice is simple, yet profound: we have to respect donors. Treat donors as if they are a valuable comodity and look at a person's donation as the beginning of a lifelong relationship. A prominent leader in our industry once said, "You're not fund-raising, you're friend-raising." How true is that? A book like this makes me feel good about what we're doing and makes me think deeply every time I pen a thank-you letter, a direct-mail piece, or talk, face-to-face, with a donor. They are not ATM's, but real people with real needs and wishes. Implemnting a donor-centric strategy, however, requires s sea-change in your organization. Penelope has wide experience and shares helpful tips and anecdotes that can help you make the case to the people in your organization. Perhaps the most important feature of her book are the studies that back up her claims, studies of nonprofits and interviews with actual donors. The strategy of caring and loving your donors can not only bring tangible results but will bring both nonprofit and donor closer together in a united mission.

Challenges you to evaluate current ways of doing business

I found Penelope's book to be very thought provoking. The research data she presents provides valuable insight to the area of donor communications where most current practices are done because of instinct or because "it's always been done that way." This is a must read for any organization facing challenges with donor retention and renewal.

One of the Best Fundraising Books I've Read

Burk offers a wealth of wisdom about fundraising (all backed up by research) and explodes a number of fundraising rules of thumb. I particularly like the 20 points to remember when writing a thank you letter. The book transformed the way by development department operates and it is required reading for all new employees.