Organizations Books

Any small to mid-sized nonprofit that requires funding cannot afford to be without Andy Robinson's book. In a nutshell, he demystifies major donor fundraising and makes it accessible to busy board and staff members. In short, direct chapters he helps remove people's natural fear of the process and instills the sense that asking for money is not only honorable but also incredibly rewarding.

Robinson has written an excellent and pithy introduction to the art of soliciting gifts - it's a relief to have the advice written in a clear and concise manner that's just right for the board member who has any trepidation at all about asking for money but wants a quick primer on how to make a significant difference in their fundraising skills.

What I like most about this book is that it's so practical and seems so doable. I know that most ordinary citizens would probably choose a root canal over the prospect of having to ask someone for a big ($500 to $5000) donation, even for a cause they really care about. But with the help of this book, you'll feel confident that you could really do the things that the author, Andy Robinson, is suggesting. Why? Because Andy de-mystifies the process of fundraising by breaking it down into easily conceivable steps. And, you feel like you can trust him because he seems like a regular guy, not a superhero. If he's done it, then you can too. I like that he shares what's worked for him. An added benefit -- you can read this enjoyable book in less than an hour. (Of course, you'll want to pick it up again and again for its handy advice.)

This is a book that Gary Frye - husband - provided information for but I found it useful because schools are always need more ways of getting funds into campuses to meet NCLB. Since I'm the one who always orders Gary had the follow comments: Working with Stan over the years has given me insights into the need for developing other system for getting funds into school districts. This book is GREAT and helped me think of new always that can use my school district's foundation and development office. Stan has provided another great service to public education by providing folks with a reason why a development/fundraising office it needed.

What a wonderful resource! Dr. Levenson's book is a valuable guide for helping find sources of grants and for better understanding the process of grant writing.

I particularly liked the examples of grant opportunities for K-12 schools and the list of 101 foundations and corporations interested in giving to K-12 schools. The examples of awarded grant proposals provided in the book show you the proper formats and various writing styles for a winning grant.

As a technology education teacher, I feel the section on writing mini-grants will be very helpful in obtaining future grants to further expand my program.

Having actually applied for and been awarded five mini-grants this year, I feel that Dr. Levenson's book will help me take my grantsmanship to the next level. He provides a blueprint for creating successful school grant writing teams and for obtaining major grants to meet larger needs.

As the new fundraising director within a new fundraising organization within a very old chicago public school, i needed to ramp up extremely quickly. I had no NFP fundraising experience whatsoever. I largely credit this book with taking us from zero to $150,000 in the course of several months. I have no affiliation with the author (I'm always supicious of glowing reviews), and in fact was on this page to recommend it to another school that's just kicking off their fundraising efforts. It's comprehensive, has a wonderful collection of docs and support materials, and I continue to pass our two copies around to new members of our team. Seriously, buy this book.

Vitalism is a profoundly science-ejected concept, though many CAM or 'natural health' cabals falsely claim that vitalism survives scientific scrutiny.

One of my favorite passages from this book:

"the achievements of molecular biology in the twentieth century proved conclusively that it is not necessary to propose that life processes arise from some nonmaterial vital principle and cannot be explained entirely as physical and chemical phenomena. [E.g.] biological neural networks are created by nature, and the laws of nature should be applicable to them [p.003]."

-r.c.

Karl A. Greene in the foreword asserted that after reading this book, one will never look at neurobiology and the human brain quite the same again, and I fully concur. Baev introduces a modular framework that fuses neurobiology with control theory and opens the portals for artificial intelligence to enter. Unleashing the powers of hierarchical modeling, his monograph presents a thoroughly conceptualized and truly captivating approach to understanding the functioning of the human brain. Two thumbs up, I had to read this book five times to fully understand it, but I enjoyed it every single time.

Karl A. Greene in the foreword asserted that after reading this book, one will never look at neurobiology and the human brain quite the same again, and I fully concur. Baev introduces a modular framework that fuses neurobiology with control theory and opens the portals for artificial intelligence to enter. Unleashing the powers of hierarchical modeling, his monograph presents a thoroughly conceptualized and truly captivating approach to understanding the functioning of the human brain. Two thumbs up, I had to read this book five times to fully understand it, but I enjoyed it every single time.

Without a doubt, John Saillant has done a service to American History in general and Christian History in particular. By rediscovering the depth and insight of Lemuel Haynes and dispensing this information with clarity and scholarship, Saillant has given to us one of our lost and brilliant intellectual and theological heroes. Lemuel Haynes was a post-revolutionary African-American pastor in New England. The sharpness of his mind was only matched by his zeal for the truth and its application to America at her most needful time. His words to his generation were prophetic, and through the thorough and scholarly work of Saillant, we can hear the voice of Rev. Haynes and see just how true his thought and heart were to the God he loved and the people he served. If you want to see how the passionate, theological Puritan mind addressed the issue of slavery and the true American responsibility, take up and read Black Puritan, Black Republican. You will not be disappointed - challenged and enlightened - but not disappointed.

John Salliant's research has uncovered the riches of a buried historical treasure. Lemuel Haynes' life and thought has often been neglected, but no longer. "Black Puritan" is a catching and appropriate title. Rev. Haynes was a theologian, writer, pastor, and educator. He pastored a bi-cultural congregation long before "multi-culturalism" was a buzz word. And, he defended the historic Christian faith against the rising New England tide of universalism. His self-written epitaph is worth the price of the book alone, as it summarizes well his commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction, Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

This book is not just for students of black history. Introduced to Lemuel Haynes by its pages, I left this book very inspired. In fact, I wanted more, and I have since sought out works by Rev. Haynes. His vision was prophetic. Rev. Haynes was a Republican in the classic sense, desiring equality for all in a democratic society. As a Calvinist, he trusted a Sovereign God's words of liberation and justice would come to fruition. Reading Haynes' words, I was struck by how far ahead of his time he was. Later anti-slavery advocates often still looked upon minorities as inferior. Many advocated freed slaves be returned to Africa. Haynes advocated equality in a manner powerfully foreshadowing a dream that would not be repeated until voiced by Martin Luther King. This book is a fascinating read for those interested in democracy, religion, philosophy, race issues, or history.

Enjoyed this book very much and found it quite helpful. Don't let the examples of high end events put you off the same principles can be used for any event. Don't try to reinvent the wheel use what others have learned.

If you are looking for a book to explain how to plan and implement a special event, this is the book for you. This book explains what to do and what not to do, so that your organization can get the most money out of your event. You can read it straight through or just go to certain chapters to get the information that you want. Also, don't let the celebrity/high society examples turn you off. What is in this book works even if you don't have access to a celebrity or society connections. I used what is in this book to raise money for my local Lions Club. Don't get any other book for special events--Black Tie Optional is the guide for special events.

At last! This book answers all the difficult "how to" questions for the fund-raiser for a non-profit organization. Every possible problem is anticipated and discussed, and reasons for doing and not doing are offered. Most organizations spend more money raising funds than they collect, and Harry Freedman explains where the hidden costs are and how to avoid them. Freedman seems to know what you are thinking and he will tell you why what someone else does may not be the right event for you. There is something in this book for the veteran fund-raiser or the eager new volunteer.
--Andrew Kevorkian
Public Relations Consultant

Our Fellowship started about 20 years ago using this model. As time goes by things change, we are now in the process of trying to get back to the basics outlined in this book.

Stedman's book is a classic on the subject of authentic church. I've read many books on church renewal and mission and this one is a landmark of the past. It seems to set the baseline for the beginning of a new exploration on the subject.

Stedman's clear writing style adds much to his arguments. He puts forth a vision of the body of Christ that's pungent and provoking. It's one that many of us have longed for.

I have been reading many books on the church recently and this one is on my top 5 list. I didn't know this was a classic of the past until I did some more research on it. Happily recommended.

Ray Stedman captures the heart of God with the message of this book. It is a MUST read for every member of the Body of Christ hungry for deepth and meaning in the Church.It is a call to our roots; our foundation; our very reason for being the Body of Christ!!

Bountiful Harvest: Technology, Food, Safety, And The Environment by Thomas R. DeGregori (Professor of Economics, University of Houston) is a thoroughly "reader friendly" introduction and analysis of how modern technology has drastically affected our environmentally based, technology enhanced food supply. Exposing myths and presenting extensive, meticulous research on the history of pesticides, pollution, organic agriculture, and much more, Bountiful Harvest is a very highly recommended, fact-filled primer, which will provide the non-specialist general reader an invaluable instructional background with respect to what really is served up on the dinner plate.

Thomas R. DeGregori knows his food technology. A professor of economics at the University of Houston, DeGregori has written an excellent defence of modern agriculture and biotechnology.

I would recommend this book as an antidote to the frightening biotechnology-gone-mad scenarios painted by organisations such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.

This book is a welcome addition to the biotechnology debate.

Radical environmentalists and nature-first types beware! Dr. Tom DeGregori dares to controvert your bluster, and has the courage not to "think small." DeGregori, a Professor of Economics at the University of Houston Central Campus, has long played the "Devil's Advocate" to Barry Commoner's "Runaway Technology Thesis." For a minimum of thirty years, he has steadily proffered logical counterpropositions to the knee-jerk anti-science of modern ecological Luddites.

In his wonderful new book, aptly entitled BOUNTIFUL HARVEST: TECHNOLOGY, FOOD SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, DeGregori carefully integrates human evolution, reason, art, writing, and manufacture as the prerequisites and components of technology. As he has done elsewhere, DeGregori once again promotes the humanity of technology, which is both a phenomenon and process, in defiance of those who would spurn it as a materialistic vice. Early on, he declares that without technology, we pitiful humans would have had to adapt to our environments "by the much slower adaptive process known as speciation [the evolution of different species]." Technology, which is unique to the human species, saved us eons of evolution and gave us to ability to maneuver and develop throughout the world.

DeGregori reminds us that anti-technology evolved "with, and probably before, Plato," who argued that with the creation of the alphabet (and writing), the young would be urged not to rely on their own memory. This in turn founded a viewpoint that we, as humans, somehow "lose something" with every technological advance. He unmasks the insanity (and inanity) of such sophistry in his chapters on food safety, where he cleverly refutes the would-be superiority of "organic foods." Indeed, we created artificial substances to fend off the very toxicities and incapacities, which organic farming reintroduces. The author boldly asserts that a return to purely organic farming might feed one-fifth of the current world population, involving farm output losses of 53 to 100 percent. Moreover, organic fertilizers often are accompanied by graveolent diseases that have been long since stymied, or eliminated, by technological countermeasures. DeGregori is best when he scoffs at the "whole foods" fad, which encourages well-to-do (and well-fed) customers to buy potentially fecally contaminated foods at a 57 percent mark-up!

The fact is that human beings never have, and never will, live in "harmony" with nature because "by nature" humans must transform or, at the very least, disturb environments to make the regions habitable. Without technology, our physically inferior species could only survive in tropical or, at best, subtropical environments. Even the simplest of farmsteads, say, a swidden plot, at least temporarily clears natural vegetation to make way for crop cultivation. The fact is that it is only through the implementation of suitable technologies that humans can minimize the disturbance and the dangers to themselves and their environments.

As Dr. DeGregori has reminded us for decades: never before have so many of us lived such long and such relatively healthy lives. The shortest lived and least healthy among us, as in Africa South of the Sahara, are comparatively miserable precisely because they do not have the technology to meet their needs. It is the ultimate irony that the anti-technologists, who oppose irradiated, genetically altered, and biotechnological foods, are harming the very people--whom they blatantly otherwise claim to defend--who most need the potential bounty of that advanced nutrition. Already bypassed by the Green Revolution, Africans can ill afford to miss the coming revolution in food technology.

Always stimulating and controversial, Dr. DeGregori once again takes up the cross of sensibility against those who make the headlines and only occasionally make sense. BOUNTIFUL HARVEST should be read by economists, geographers, anthropologists, ecologists, and any and all who value their fellow human beings and their environment. Highest rating*****!

I'm still laughing at this book. I swear I've been in these office's and worked for the managers he described before. A must read for anyone hitting the workforce.

Dianna Wells Shire, author "The Ordinary Life of a Military Woman".

This book is a real hoot for those in the corporate world! It says all the things you'd want to, but can't because you would get fired. The boring, the ridiculous, the impossible -- the demands and expectations of the shirts and ties on the little folks who do all the work. It is so Dilbert. You gotta love it. A great gift, (but you may have to use an AKA. )

The author has a great sense of humor and must have had a blast writing this. You will have fun reading it. I have no doubt that every reader will recognize a work-place situation or someone they know. There's something between these pages for anyone who has ever held a job.

I highly recommend this 100 page book to busy administrators looking for practical ideas to foster and enhance the work of professional learning communities in their schools. The Walk Through Protocol, along with the structures and processes for teacher collaboration, effectively engages teachers in meaningful examination of student learning in a non-threatening, empowering manner.

Breaking Through to Effective Teaching is aptly titled--the ideas and strategies presented here are simple and yet ground-breaking in effecting systemic change! This elegant little book offers a model that takes the anxiety and sting out of the classroom walk-through and turns it into a source of powerful tools to enrich student learning. Teachers are empowered with new strategies to visit each other's classrooms, searching for those practices that are getting the desired results. Rather than concentrating on "fixing" what's wrong, classroom visitors are urged to focus like a laser on what's working. This releases the potential that exists in every school and builds an enthusiastic community of learners and inquirers. The many examples and case studies will be helpful to administrators, teachers and community members who crave a culture of positive energy, mutual support and impressive results! I highly recommend it.

This practical guide to institutionalizing walk-throughs into a school's culture is a MUST read for every administrator.

Sandra Barry
Superintendent
Anaheim City School District

What a great find! This business book is informative, yet in an easy-to-read style. I usually don't like to read business books, but even I enjoyed this. There were lots of "lessons" I can apply to my day-to-day job (upper management), yet the book was not overwhelming. A good, solid book. Would be applicable to all levels of managers.

Shortly after reading "The Breathing Organization" I left a management position with a consulting firm that was saddled with a toxic culture and no prospects of achieving anything extraordinary. This book inspired me to start a new company that actually adheres to the wise principles it espouses. I truly believe that my colleagues and I are destined for great success together by following the blueprint laid out in this insightful and inspirational book. The culture, environment, and mindset that we have created together are enabling us to fully utilize our collective talent and human potential. The company's initial success has been stunning. I wholeheartedly recommend "The Breathing Organization" to anyone looking to build a successful and truly rewarding business today.

Mark Bergethon
Sage Fundraising Solutions
www.sagefundraisingllc.com