The Forgotten Foundations of Fundraising: Practical Advice and Contrarian Wisdom for Nonprofit Leaders

by Jeremy Beer

An entertaining, informative, and eminently useful guide that draws on psychology, data, and real-world experience to explain what really drives successful fundraising.

In The Forgotten Foundations of Fundraising, Jeremy Beer and Jeff Cain, cofounders of American Philanthropic, a leading consulting firm for nonprofit organizations, offer practical lessons and unconventional wisdom for both nonprofit leaders and novices in the art and science of raising money. Drawing upon a wealth of experience, deploying an army of anecdotes, and using eye-opening American Philanthropic survey data, the authors provide a brisk, irreverent, and supremely useful introduction to fundraising for charities and nonprofits.

The book explains the hows and whys of a variety of fundraising techniques, from direct mail to planned giving programs. It explores the benefits and pitfalls of prospect research, the keys to donor retention, and the essential elements of a healthy nonprofit culture. It gives insightful advice on making personal meetings count, soliciting foundations, and training young fundraisers. And it does so with sprightly prose and sharp observations. You'll never read another fundraising book quite like this one.

Expertly deflating the pretensions of those who would make fundraising a bureaucratic and esoteric profession, Beer and Cain elucidate the practical knowledge and relationship skills that still matter more than anything else. They make an impassioned plea for the importance of civil society to American democracy and build a compelling case for fundraising as an honorable component of a healthy civic culture. Philanthropy is not about bottom lines and return on investment—successful fundraisers provide a platform for donors to affirm their ideals, values, and morals.

Fundraising is serious, but learning about it needn’t be a chore. The Forgotten Foundations of Fundraising is at once eminently practical and absolutely delightful.

Genres: Professional Development

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2019

About the author

I am a principal partner at American Philanthropic, a consulting firm, and chairman of the board at the American Ideas Institute, publisher of The American Conservative magazine and website. I am an Indiana native who like so many other Hoosiers lives in Arizona. My biography of Negro Leagues legend Oscar Charleston was published on November 1, 2019, by the University of Nebraska Press.

My next project will be a biography of the Southwestern explorer, missionary, and martyr Francisco Garces. I am also in the early stages of a book on minor league baseball and a biography of Booth Tarkington. If I finish all of these in the next 10-15 years I will be a happy (or happier) man.

Reviews

[Thomas Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fundraising book that didn't suck. Really helpful and practical advice for anyone who is in the business of "asking." Definitely geared towards larger organizations but helpful for anyone in the fundraising world.

[Kimberly Scheirer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love contrarian wisdom! This was actually my favorite fundraising book that I’ve read so far in my career, because it is hilarious and smart and feeds my ego (hey, I’m doing a few things right!), plus it tends to shoot down highly educated and experienced fundraisers and their best practices (hey wait!). I take issue with a couple of their suggestions (a SIX PAGE fundraising letter!?!?) but they’ve got this book full of tons of solid examples that really illustrate their points as opposed to just filling space. If you ever have to raise money for anything, read it.
www.queenofpages.com

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to get a solid introduction and foundation into the world of fundraising. The book was easy to follow, witty and full of practical advice.