Big Gifts For Small Groups: A 1-hour Board Member's Guide To Securing Gifts Of $500 To $5,000

by Andy Robinson

When it comes to the donations we receive, we'd all like ours super-sized, thank you. But unless yours is an elite organization, million dollar gifts are as common as prime rib at McDonalds. Andy Robinson knows this and it's why he's written Big Gifts for Small Groups. Ninety percent of America's nonprofits depend on gifts in the range of $500 to $5000. That's their sweet spot and it's Andy s focus in this 60-minute read. If there ever was a stand up guy, it's Robinson. And he's not about to mislead anyone, certainly not the board members for whom this book is intended. Fundraising takes discipline he makes that clear. But it's not as hard as many think. And it's a whole lot easier when board members follow the steps outlined in Big Gifts for Small Groups. It's also more satisfying than burger and fries.

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, quick read for those new to fundraising or for board members afraid of fundraising. Demystifies the process and breaks it all down into manageable bites. I got one for every member of my board.

[sdw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short guide encouraging non-profit board members to raise money provides mostly tips you are likely to have heard before.

Ask. Ask your friends. Ask your families. Ask your neighbors. Expect to hear no a lot. Don't assume someone doesn't have the means to contribute. Do not beg - you are on equal ground - this is a barter - your organization does great work and they want to be a part of it...

A good short required read for a board without much fundraising experience planning for an annual campaign or a capital campaign. I appreciated the discussion of the need for building relationships with donors including after the give (he states 80% of the work with the donors is after the donation). I appreciated the idea of a development director as someone who builds volunteer capacity for fundraising.

I also really really wish Bark had an annual campaign where all the board spent 10 weeks raising our money together and then didn't have to spend the rest of the year feeling guilty about all the money we weren't raising. That would be a great thing!

Its a good short read worth reading even if you've read a lot/done a lot of fundraising. It also looks like it would be useful if you were trying to put together a fundraising training for a board.

Oh and hey - do you like trees? Are you glad people are keeping them standing? Go to www.bark-out.org and make a donation right now. Make a donation for $100...because the trees you look at and the air you breathe are worth it.

[Readersaurus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very practical. Some advice I can actually use. Need to find a way to impart the useful tips to my board o' directors.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book as a nonprofit administrator.