The Accidental Fundraiser

by Haley Bash, Stephanie Roth

Are you a volunteer with an organization, school, or project that needs to raise money? The Accidental Fundraiser is a how-to resource that guides you through the process of raising money from your community. The book presents eleven proven fundraising strategies that are easy to carry out and don't require significant funds, large numbers of people, or extensive knowledge of fundraising. The authors, Haley Bash and Stephanie Roth, show how to choose the right fundraising strategy (from house parties to raffles) and include step-by-step instructions for carrying out all of the activities. In addition, The Accidental Fundraiser contains a wealth of worksheets and practical tips.

214 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2025

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read The Accidental Fundraiser after taking a fundraising cohort with the author, this book sticks with ya. The author is funny, witty, and really good at making uncomfortable conversations—especially about money—feel human and doable.

What I appreciate most is who this book is for. It’s written for volunteers and board members, not paid development staff (they can read it too). That alone makes it stand out. So often, volunteers are asked to “help fundraise” with almost no direction. You join a board, you care about the mission… and then you just kind of sit there. This book fixes that gap. A volunteer can pick this book up and start raising money.

It offers clear, practical guidance on how to fundraise—from small, direct personal asks to confidently sharing the mission for larger gifts. There’s nothing flashy or “genius” here—and that’s a compliment. It’s a well-thought-out, realistic plan with templates and concrete tasks that volunteers and board members can actually do.

I also loved that it starts with a section on how to get the most out of the book. That’s especially helpful if you don’t have time to read it cover to cover (though it is an easy read). You can jump in, apply a section, and get moving.

The beginning walks through fundraising basics and building a solid foundation, then builds step by step. This second edition really shines as a practical guide for raising money for social causes—everything from personal asks to community events to auctions.

My recommendation: read the whole book once. Then go back, put it into practice with your volunteers—or better yet, buy them each a copy and work through it together.

If you’ve ever wanted fundraising to feel less awkward and more shared, this is a solid, useful place to start.
AH