The contributors
are not confined to strictly nonprofit titles and I am always grateful for
the spectrum of books that make it on this list. There are practical books that you will want
on your bookshelf to refer to again and again.
There are books that will transform and advance your way of thinking and
seeing the world. There are
inspirational books and ones that challenge us to look at the future. It is quite a list. You may want all of them.
I want to express a huge thank you to the nonprofit thought leaders who contributed to this year’s list. They are Debra Beck, Kathleen Brennan, Heather Carpenter, Pamela Grow, John Haydon, Beth Kanter, Andrea Post, Ash Shepard, Amy Sample Ward and Robert Weiner. What a stellar list of contributors! I publish this list at this time of year because I think a book is the perfect holiday gift for that someone special in your nonprofit network. Any of these books would be a very thoughtful gift.
And if that isn’t enough – the Wishlist again
features a giveaway! Heather Carpenter,
co-author of the newly published The Talent Development Platform: Putting People First in Social Change Organizations (The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Guidebook Series)
is graciously
offering her book to one reader of this post.
See the details at the end of the post.
is graciously
offering her book to one reader of this post.
See the details at the end of the post.
So here’s the Wishlist:
The Wishlist is organized into two categories:
Social Change, Transformation, Inspiration,
Leadership
and
Fundraising,
Communication and Donor RelationshipSocial Change, Transformation, Inspiration, Leadership
by
Heather L. Carpenter and Tera Wozniak Qualls
Recommended by Marion
Conway
Two of the most
important issues facing nonprofits today are succession development and
professional development .
There is a lot of lip service given to these topics but not a lot of
solid practical advice. This book stands
alone as a practical guide for employee development and includes worksheets,
checklists and best of all, assessments specifically for social change
organizations.
Both Beth Kanter and I have reviewed this book this year. See Beth's comments here and mine here.
Recommended by Debra
Beck
Deb’s assessment: “Dr. Meyer offers a
framework – and a practical road map – for creating environments where people
have the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to create the outcomes they
seek. While on the surface it may appear to apply primarily to corporate
environments, the principles and recommended practices easily transfer to a
nonprofit setting. Speaking of “practices,” a strength of this book is the set
of “Make Shift Happen” recommendations that appear at the end of each
chapter. Read Deb’s full review
here.
By Paul Shoemaker Recommended by Beth Kanter
Shoemaker shares the
lessons he’s learned bringing together the people who found their own “can’t
not do” and are contributing to a better world. This book provides the tools to
convert positive intention into positive action, with compelling narratives of
people who have done it, and by distilling the core lessons learned by
successful social change leaders to become more effective.
by Sarah Robinson Recommended by
Ash Shepherd
We all know that
building relationships and community is important to the long term health of
nonprofits. But how do you do it? This book isn’t specifically for nonprofits
but it speaks to our community. Business
strategist Sarah Robinson helps you break down the process and gives you clear,
specific steps for creating and maintaining a fiercely loyal, wildly successful
community and put it squarely in the center of your business plan. Her model is easy to understand, efficient and effective.
Get Up!: Why Your Chair is Killing You and What You Can Do About It
by Dr. James Levine
by Dr. James Levine
Recommended by Beth Kanter
Beth Kanter is the ultimate Global Nonprofit
Social Media Guru. And now she is on the
way to becoming the ultimate Nonprofit Physical Fitness Guru. Beth has been sharing her working while
walking and other experiences this last year and now she recommends this new book
which discusses the scientific facts and offers lots of specific advice. Read Beth’s review here.
by Adam Braun
Recommended by Andrea Post
If you are
interested in changing the world, start by reading this book. It combines a moving description of the power
of education and the ability of one person to impact the world with concrete
steps necessary to turn your own ideas into reality. Inspirational and practical – all in one
book.
When Millennials Take Over
– by Jamie Notter and Maddie Grant Recommended by Marion Conway
– by Jamie Notter and Maddie Grant Recommended by Marion Conway
This book has
been on my personal wishlist since I read Beth Kanter’s review in March. Millennials are changing the workplace very
rapidly and businesses are learning to adapt.
Based on research, such as Heather Carpenter’s, nonprofits are being
slow to adapt and this is an important issue for us to address now. Read Beth Kanter’s full review here.
And I finish this section with the recommendation from the incomparable
Amy Sample Ward. Amy did not feel
confined by the request to recommend specific books that will be of interest to
the Nonprofit community. Instead Amy offered this discerning advice: “Here's my
wishlist for nonprofit folks:
- Read fiction. Read for pleasure. Carve that time. Be inspired. Give yourself that. Comics totally count!
- Commit to reading works by people who are not White and not cis-gendered men. Do it for a year. There is a whole world out there (a few folks in my book group and I have committed to only bringing books authored by women and people of color this year. it's been awesome!).
- Ask people much younger than you what they're reading. Read that.
- Ask people much older than you what they're reading. Read that."
Now back to earth, folks!......
Fundraising,
Communication and Donor Relationship Titles
How to Turn Your Words Into Money: The Master Fundraiser's Guide to Persuasive Writing
by Jeff
Brooks Recommended by John Haydon,
Kathleen Brennan and Pamela Grow
by Jeff
Brooks Recommended by John Haydon,
Kathleen Brennan and Pamela Grow
The first two responses for my call
for recommendations were from John and Kathleen for this book and then Pamela
recommended it too. I have never had such a
highly recommended book on this list. John Haydon said, “It's got practical
tips and advice for every nonprofit marketer or fundraiser, with lots of
examples. Jeff's is a master at storytelling, which makes the book hard to put
down. Bonus: It's only 180 pages!” Kathleen
Brennan added, “pulls
back the curtain on the counter intuitive world of fundraising” and Pamela Grow
calls this an amazing book which teaches you to “seamlessly transition from formal
writing to writing that packs a colossal emotional punch.” That is some set of recommendations! You can see Pamela’s full review here.
Hug Your Customers: The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results
by Jack Mitchell Recommended by Pamela Grow
by Jack Mitchell Recommended by Pamela Grow
This isn’t actually a fundraising book but it is about customer
relationship which is a critical part of effective fundraising. Pamela gives some good examples in her review
here.
Pamela says, “Every nonprofit fundraiser - and that
includes your board and staff - should be taking on the role of
transformational storyteller. Burnett will change how you view
storytelling, one of the most enviable and useful skills one can have.” Read Pamela’s whole review here.
It's NOT JUST about the Money
by Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels Recommended by Pamela Grow
by Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels Recommended by Pamela Grow
Pamela says, “This book is not just for major gift officers.
These are the principles to take your organization confidently and joyfully
into the future. This is a book that should be on every fundraiser’s bookshelf.
It really is NOT just about the money (here's the secret: it's about love).” Read Pamela’s whole review here.
An Executive's Guide to Fundraising Operations: Principles, Tools and Trends
by Christopher Cannon Recommended by Robert Weiner
If you are interested in a straightforward, more traditional book about
fundraising this may be the one for you. It is filled with hundreds
of useful tips for addressing operations. The step-by-step guidance covers program
support, technology applications, data maintenance, gift processing, reporting, analytics, and compliance.
The Generosity Network: New Transformational Tools for Successful Fund-Raising
by Jennifer McCrea and Jeffrey Walker Recommended by Andrea Post
by Jennifer McCrea and Jeffrey Walker Recommended by Andrea Post
Through personal
stories, innovative suggestions, and inspiring examples, McCrea and Walker show
us how to build a community of engaged
partners who share a common passion and are eager to provide the resources needed
to change the world—not just money, but also time, talents, personal networks,
creative thinking, public support, and all the other forms of social capital
that are abundant, waiting to be uncovered and mobilized. I'm happy to have this one in my personal library.
Giveaway
Details
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Talent Development Platform just leave a comment here about the list or add a
book you would recommend. Another
way to enter is to visit the MarionConway
– Nonprofit Consultant facebook page and leave a comment on the post
about this giveaway. The
winner will be chosen from comments made by midnight, December 4th, 2015. Please send me your email if you enter so that I can contact you if you win - marion@marionconway.com.
Follow the Wishlist of Nonprofit Books on Pinterest and see more great titles. Click here.
