Relationship Fundraising: A Donor Based Approach to the Business of Raising Money
Product Description
Internationally acclaimed fundraising consultant Ken Burnett has completely revised and updated his classic book Relationship Fundraising to offer fundraising professionals an invaluable resource for learning the techniques of effective communication with donors in the twenty-first century. Filled with illustrative case histories, donor profiles, and more than two hundred action points, this groundbreaking book shows fundraisers how to Implement creative approaches to relationship-building fundraising Avoid common fundraising errors and pitfalls Apply the vital ingredients for fundraising success Build good relationships through marketing Achieve a greater understanding of their donors Communicate effect… More >>
Relationship Fundraising: A Donor Based Approach to the Business of Raising Money
September 9th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Considered a hit in the 1990s with Europeans, the audience for which this book was written. That was when Europeans knew little about true philanthropy and nothing about major donor relations. They were mostly wedded to direct mail and low-end funders. The author was a significant force in lower-end donor direct mail fundraising. Thus, little was ever of true significance for US and Canadian professionals. Considering the total absence of discussion of the phenomenal advances made with online communications linked to CRMs and participatory online membership activities for nonprofits, which are developing real relationships between nonprofits and their constituents, I doubt the value of this rather quaintly old fashioned book.
Rating: 2 / 5
September 10th, 2009 at 1:25 am
[NB: Get the 2002 revised edition] We should all listen to Ken Burnett and what he has to say. He has listened hard for years: to donors; people stricken with and striving against hardship; professionals in the office and the people working boots-on-ground, and he knows whereof he speaks. The subject of Relationship Fundraising: A Donor Based Approach to the Business of Raising Money is fundraising, but its ideas are applicable to corporate governance, public relations, customer satisfaction, social work, politics, parenting, marketing… It is a guide to more effectively relating to and understanding our place in a Humane world. It is both “how-to” and “why we should” – clearly illustrating, in a refreshingly personal style, the good idea it is to consider the perspective of our clients: the Contributors who give so much to our lives.
Rather than duplicate the other reviews that list the chapter details of this work, I simply want to encourage you to go ahead, risk the purchase of this and Ken’s “The ZEN of Fundraising”The Zen of Fundraising: 89 Timeless Ideas to Strengthen and Develop Your Donor Relationships. If you have a heart and a brain, you will benefit significantly. And as you practice living with Ken’s thoughts as a companion, the World will be a better place.
Yes, he’s that good.
GregRobin Smith.
Rating: 5 / 5
September 10th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Ken Burnett is one of the world’s great, and most respected, fundraisers, and this is one of the most important fundraising books you’ll ever read. Relationship Fundraiisng is on every top 10 list I’ve ever seen. And it deserves to be. Most non-profits do not treat their donors well, and therefore raise less income than they could. When you follow Ken’s advice you will raise more money for your mission. I know Ken personally and while I’ve raised many tens of millions for non-profits, and have been fundraising for 25 years, every time I hear Ken speak, or read his books and articles, I learn something new.
Rating: 5 / 5
September 10th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Quite a bit of emphasis on how fundraising works in the UK versus the US. Has some good suggestions that are relevant in the US. Very conversational tone and quite inspiring for a fundraising book. How relevant this is to the content of the CFRE exam, I don’t know.
Rating: 5 / 5
September 10th, 2009 at 4:23 am
I found this book to be honest about fundraising, motivating and with great ideas and experience to further the business of fundraising
Rating: 4 / 5