The Field Guide to Fundraising for Nonprofits

It’s always a treat to encounter a fundraising resource that’s motivating while also clearly grounded in reality. The Field Guide to Fundraising for Nonprofits: Fusing Creativity and New Best Practices by Sarah B. Lange isn’t a newly published book, but it’s new to me. And as soon as I dug in, I knew it would be a resource worth recommending to both new and seasoned fundraisers.

In this guide to fundraising, Sarah draws from her decades of fundraising experience to break down several essential components of fundraising: Fundraising plans (both annual as well as long-term), grant writing, donor engagement, board development, strategic planning, and communications. Sarah emphasizes that “fundraising is equal parts skill and attitude,” and the content of this book backs up her point. You’ll definitely find comprehensive insights and actionable steps on fundraising. But you’ll also read about the concrete techniques Sarah used to shift her own attitude and become more effective as a fundraiser.

Throughout the book, Sarah provides information clearly and with a no-nonsense tone that may help you recognize areas for improvement at your organization. “Are you writing a newsletter or a snoozeletter?” and “A goal without a plan is just a wish” are two points that resonated with me. The chapter on grants is especially helpful and covers everything from preparing applications and managing grants to collecting data for meaningful evaluations.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a practical resource that does a deep dive into fundraising, The Field Guide to Fundraising for Nonprofits is worth checking out from your local library or buying from your favorite bookseller.

Looking for more recommended reads? Check out our Fundraiser’s Reading List article and these books:

•  The Little Book of Nonprofit Leadership and The Little Book of Gold by Erik Hanberg
•  The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker