Philanthropy Books

This is an interesting and useful book especially if a researcher is interested in the impact of corporate philanthropic giving as a marketing tool - handing over a corporate check in the public eye is what comes to my mind.
The authors describe do's and dont's of such strategies.

However, the marketing focus is a downside for readers interested in CSR from a more general stance.
I have recently read many books on CSR for a research project, and will continue reviewing them step by step, so checking my other reviews might be useful if you are interested in the topic of CSR or corporate governance.

Phil Kotler and Nancy Lee have created an invaluable guidebook for companies, nonprofits and their advisors to enhance corporate reputations while improving society. Besides demonstrating how corporate social responsiblity has boosted the bottom line and added value for investors on all sides of the cause world, the authors provide detailed "how to" models for every type of business and nonprofit. This book has quickly become the "must read" bible for CSR and those involved with marketing in the nonprofit sector.

The days of corporate irresponsibility are past. The public now expects companies to behave according to a higher social standard. And guess what - operating a business built on socially responsible principles pays off. Decision makers at companies large and small are learning that when they build their businesses according to the dictates of social conscience, they reap rewards such as increased profits, an improved corporate image and happier employees. And, they sleep better at night. Author and marketing expert Philip Kotler and social marketing consultant Nancy Lee describe six ways you can develop and implement a corporate social program. They clearly explain and analyze each initiative in its own chapter, including illustrative examples of successful campaigns from leading companies such as Ben & Jerry's, The Body Shop and American Express. Their methods do overlap and they are, at times, redundant. Yet the points are important enough to bear repeating. We think every professional whose company is engaged in corporate social marketing - or needs to be - will find a treasure trove of applicable information in this book.

This is an enlightening book on corporate social responsibility by knowledgeable authors. As a manager you bring with you your own concept of what is right and what is wrong to your organisation. Every decision that you make is the application of these values to the question at hand. This is made more difficult by the pressures of organisational life. These are the pressures of rapid changes, the pressure for greater productivity, competition and superiors, among others. Sometimes managers make decisions which conflict with their own or society's values because of what they see as the pressures of the business world. Dealing with ethical and moral issues is often perplexing. This excellent book provides guidance on how we should we think through an ethical issue, the questions we should ask and the factors that we should consider and how we can ensure that corporate social responsibility issues receive the attention they deserve.

The ways that the authors suggest to enhance corporate social responsibility are practical and simple to implement and should enable companies to benefit from a favourable corporate image which should translate to benefits to the bottom line.

This is a well written book that is easy to follow and understand that is well recommended.

Excellent job, delivered prior to expected delivery date. In condition stated. Would definitely utilize again

A great great book to give to your existing Private Foundation clients, as well as those considering their options. The book hits on several key points among many others - which are the reason to formalize your investment policy statement(IPS) and donor intent issues. The author is correct that too often good intentions fail to result in effective results. It deals with other vehicles like charitable lead trusts (CLTs) and charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) as well as donor advised and support organizations. It is a big picture book not a technical how to for the attorney!

Unwitting new philantrophists sometimes end up with bureaucratic creatures that do exactly what the donor did not want. This book is full of practical advice on how to avoid unpleasant surprises if you set up a foundation of your own, such as finding out that you have no control over its activities.

It also gives a succinct review of investment problems. Foundations can potentially last for many generations. But they can easily mismanage themselves into oblivion in short order. The authors identify seven deadly investment sins.

For example, foundations don't need to frequently redeem their investments, but some mistakenly invest in liquid assets and lose returns as a result. They would be better off with non-traditional investments like private-equity, income producing real estate, hedge funds, and timber.

Many foundations fail to diversify, unwittingly taking on risk. THey start with stock from the founder's company and continue to hold a concentrated position, exposing themselves to the vagaries of that business. In 2002 the David and Lucille Packard Foundation was forced to cut its donations drastically when Hewlett-Packard stock fell.

IN short, an easy-to-read, useful guide.

The book is more for donors than advisors. I does not provide enough of the necessary essential legally technical information.

I am about half way through with the book and it is pretty interesting to learn about the people who really helped start a movement that has such a profound effect on the world.

Ron Robinson and Nicole Hoplin have written a fascinating book about the unknown donors that made the conservative movement what it is today. I also enjoyed the introduction which puts today's campaign finance laws in perspective and highlights how the media treat conservative and liberal philanthropists very differently. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Goldwater, Reagan (it discusses the funding of both), and anyone interested in the history of the Conservative Movement.

This book allowed me to connect with the roots of the Conservative Movement, giving me a one-of-a-kind look at how some of my heroes--Ronald Reagan, William F. Buckley, Jr., and Barry Goldwater, to name a few--got their starts, at the great personal sacrifices of the aptly-named "unsung heroes" of the Movement.

This is the only book of its kind.

For those who follow the Conservative Movement, this book documents those who made prominent conservative success stories possible. We may know about The Conscience of a Conservative, National Review, etc., but who made those possible? It took funds to get those projects started. This book finally gives credit to those individuals.

It is amazing the influence individuals can have when they choose to sacrifice their own personal wealth to advance the Conservative Movement. William Volker and Harold Luhnow created the Volker Fund which sparked a revival of free market ideas. They made possible for someone like Milton Friedman to attend the first meeting of the Mont Pelerin Society which sparked his further interest in free market ideas. They also subsidized the translation of Bastiat's The Law into English among many other projects and initiatives.

This is just one of the amazing stories contained in the book.

For anyone who wants to know who made many of the Conservative Movement's most well-known success stories possible, definitely purchase this book!

I've been a grantmaker for approximately five years now. During the course of my on-the-job training, I've heard certain maxims over and over again until they've become ingrained in my mind and in my responses to applicants for grant funds -- now, after reading this book, I actually understand the philosophies behind them.

Every grantseeker who bemoans the fact that foundations don't want to fund ongoing operating expenses should read this book simply for the explanation of the difference between charity and philanthropy and where foundations fit in.

Likewise, the tips on meeting etiquette, attributes of a good grant proposal, and top four reasons proposals are denied will benefit professionals on both sides of the proposal.

Had the opportunity to see the author speak -- if you get the same opportunity, don't pass it by.

Dr. Joel Orosz continues his tireless efforts on behalf of philanthropy and those interested in philanthropy in his current book.

The Insider's Guide to Grantmaking is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in seeking funds from a foundation, or anyone interested in a career in a foundation. His years of experience give both experienced and inexperienced readers a window into a sometimes-shadowy world. Orosz lets the light shine in a way that is understandable and justifiable.

This long over due body of work is a must have for everyone in the third sector and especially should be required reading for those working in and leading foundations.

It's an art, it's a science, and it doesn't need to be a mystery -- since there's no academic training for a career in philanthropy (it's harder than you think!) Insider Orosz bridges the gap with this warm and rewarding User's Guide.

Outsiders will read it for its clear-cut description of philanthropy worklife and practice; insiders will find themselves affirmed or inspired. Both will enjoy the author's mix of humor and scholarship. Sure to be a classic in its field.

This is a much needed look at life in foundation grant making. As a retired executive director of a corporate foundation,books such as The Corporate Contributions Handbook and Corporate Social Investing were extremely helpful to the corporate grant maker. This book is a well-thought out look at foundation reality. While it is not meant to help those seeking grants, it certainly gives the donor a window on the inside process. It will serve as a good reference for those who wish to enter this field and provides sage advice to those who have been there for some time. The historical research was a plus.

I have been a development professional for over twenty years, but Mr. Poderis' book has been, and continues to be, right at reach on my desk as his insights and encouragement have been key to my success as a developmen director of a large arts organization.

A more than handy, practical, reference tool which is timeless and always relevant.

Often fund-raising experts understand an organisation's structure well enough to keep it
a float. Tony Poderis, understands the passion and personalities behind the story of each of his non-profit clients / institutions. Tony's insight positions him to get inside their mission as well as the motivations of prospective funders. It helps FUNDERS to GIVE in a way that catapults the financial futures and visibility of non-profits.

"It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise" is utterly brilliant in several ways:

A manual for Trustees.

A companion to non-profit directors.

A crucial first step for prospective board members.

A guide for current board members.

A conclusive resource for FUNDERS helping them to identify non-profits in key areas mentioned in this book.

"It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise" helps non-profits raise more than funds, they gain and raise genuine friends, who will love and care for them through thick and thin.

Wendy Cheltenham

Tony Poderis reminds all of us who have ever been development officers that it's not rocket science. In his words, "It's just hard work." He's right.

Poderis's "Nine Basic Truths of Fundraising" are worth the price of the book alone. But then he goes on to tell us chapter and verse just how to organize a development department, run a fundraising campaign, and work with volunteer leadership.

With over 30 years of fundraising experience, Poderis knows what he writes about. He's done it all and run a major operation as development director for the Cleveland Orchestra.

Newcomers and old hands alike will derive tremendous benefit from this book, and every board member should read the Nine Basic Truths.

This just could be the best book ever written on fundraising.

The problem with Tony Poderis is that he is terribly tardy in writing "It's a Great Day to Fund-Raise!" If I had read it 20 or so years ago, when he should have written it, I would have avoided some of the blunders he warns against. I wouldn't have taken nearly so long to become effective as a fund raiser. And I wouldn't have quite so many gray hairs today, each earned in the hard school of "experience." But (sigh) he wrote it only recently. Of course, there is a good reason for the interminable wait: Tony first had to rack up an incredible 20 years as director of development for The Cleveland Orchestra, where he was responsible for the largest annual institutional fund-raising campaign in Cleveland. Oh, and toss in another four or five years subsequent consulting experience, as well. I note, with some satisfaction, that the author has even more gray hairs than do I -- each one earned, no doubt, in the same "school." As evidence, I present Exhibit A: the picture on the cover (there's Tony standing before, of all things, an open bank vault!). That experience shines through in the book. His simple, pragmatic writing style patiently mentors the reader in the art of effective fund raising. The reader may be new to the field, where a book like this is invaluable and where I suspect Tony directed his focus. Or the reader may be well-experienced, where the book reaffirms lessons learned and truths well tested. Did I use the word "pragmatic"? "It doesn't take a genius to raise money," he states early on. "The process is a combination of common sense, hard work, preparation, courtesy, commitment, enthusiasm, understanding, and a belief in what you are selling." See? As expected, the book starts with goal setting and leadership (Chapter 2). But this is not an academic "text." Rather, the author reaches into his bag of experiences and pulls out the time a board trustee got up and announced, "What we need is more endowment. We ought to have a $50 million endowment campaign." Gulp. Wasn't his hair dark brown just before that? This guy has been there. Done that. That's where mentors come from. Well, actually, Tony starts even sooner than goal setting and leadership. Chapter 1 covers the Nine Basic Truths of Fund-Raising. Here's one: "You don't wait for the 'right' moment to ask; you ask now." I loved that one. How many fund raisers are captivated by the word "cultivation," so much so that they don't seem to understand that fund raising also requires "reaping," too? I often wonder how many fund raisers, were they farmers, would leave their carefully cultivated crop to wilt in the field, season after season? Tony's "Nine Truths" are as close to "theory" as he gets. After Chapter 1, he moves methodically through what it takes to succeed. Chapter 2, on goal setting and leadership, is quickly followed by an admonition to "know your organization" (Chapter 3); creation of a general development plan (Chapter 4); funding sources (Chapter 5); prospecting for donors (Chapter 6); rating and evaluating prospects (Chapter 7); annual campaigns (Chapter 8); endowment campaigns (Chapter 9); capital campaigns (Chapter 10); sponsorships and underwriting campaigns (Chapter 11); developing a campaign plan (Chapter 12); preparing for a campaign (Chapter 13); managing a campaign (Chapter 14); assessing and reviewing a campaign once it's over (Chapter 15); and developing the development team (Chapter 16). Clearly, this is a useful book that I'd wholeheartedly recommend for the fund raising professional -- new or seasoned. But it is also ideal for any other person involved with an organization's fund raising. Tony's simple, straight-forward, no-nonsense style will be welcomed by board members, volunteers, and others who will appreciate being able to get through it over a couple of evenings or a weekend.

This man and this group have done a lot to bring people from all walks of life to help out our neighbors with housing. 5 out of 5 stars.

This book was inspirational to me. The book is full of stories about families and their struggles in life, then they are given a new life it seems when their world is changed and helping hands step in to help. I had to read this for a Sociology course, and I enjoyed it very much.

If you have ever wondered if you could find an activity that would make you much happier and more fulfilled, please read this book and see what becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity International could mean for you.

I thought I knew a lot about Habitat for Humanity International. I've read some of Mr. Fuller's earlier books. I've listened to him and other Habitat leaders speak about the organization and its fine work. One of my sons has worked with Habitat for many years and married a wonderful woman he met while out building a Habitat home. I've even written about Habitat in each the last two books I've co-authored. Despite that background, I really needed to read this book to catch up on so many things I didn't know.

The book's format is to share stories from volunteers, staff member and families who have bought Habitat homes around a few themes: Making dreams come true; better lives for children; improving families; developing better neighborhoods; making healthier lives; launching new careers; inspiring love and marriage; creating friendships; building faith; rehabilitating prisoners; bridging cultural and religious differences; pursuing happiness; and inspiring a new generation to decently house those in want.

As a result, this is not the kind of book that you will praise for its writing, its structure, its choice of similes, or its illustrations. But all will find it to be a book that can be praised and appreciated for its heart, its love and its understanding. My life has been filled with a wonderful glow since I finished reading it. I am very grateful that Mr. Fuller kindly shared it with me.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry. But it's a ministry that seeks to do good through good works by involving and serving everyone . . . whether Christians or not. It's scope is enormous and growing rapidly. In fact, one reason I write about Habitat is because it has been so much more successful than other organizations in accomplishing its purposes and getting better at doing so.

Here are some of the things I learned that I did not know from this book. When dozens of Habitat homes are built in the same community, the residents often band together to help root out crime in the area. So a good place to build these homes is in high crime neighborhoods, to replace so-called crack houses and other places being used for wrong purposes. Many people live in such substandard conditions before getting Habitat housing that their health measurably improves along with their psychological outlook. Poor people, prisoners, and simply people who want to change their line of work are often able to learn building and management skills that turn into jobs from working as Habitat volunteers. Lonely people find friends . . . including old ones they haven't seen in a while. As I read the pages, I saw several photos of my friends whom I did not know were involved as Habitat volunteers. Many people come to find religious faith through the experience of helping and being helped by Habitat volunteers.

Reading books is a great way to spend your time. Helping others is an even better one. Why don't you read some or all of this book and then volunteer a day with Habitat in the next year and to see how you like it? There's a lot More Than Houses involved!

May God bless you!

This book is a great account of the other aspects of Habitat. Habitat is more than houses because it involves people -- not just physical buildings. Fuller describes how Habitat gives people a sense of pride and a chance to move on in their life. As well, Fuller explains that Habitat gives people the opportunity to meet who never would have met or allow people (i.e. prisoners) the chance to volunteer with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity also can foster romantic relationships, of which Fuller gives accurate accounts. Habitat for Humanity believes that God's love makes everyone equal. Millard Fuller writes a very descriptive account of how Habitat is more than houses, it is a way of life.

Warwick has been raising by mail for years. This easy to read book offers charts, graphs, and systematic approaches to this successful, albeit investment-heavy, form of fund raising. This is an excellent book to get started or to review systems already in place.

I have seen him speak and then got this book. It is very entertaining but most of all it addresses the subject very methodically. Every reader will recognize the mediocre and unmoving writing that he is fixing and cleaning and transforming. If you are new to fund raising and need a primer on writing the annual letter (often the only fund raising small organizations do) look no further. The Expression "he wrote the book..." may just have been coined to describe this.

I used the basic approach he advocates and turned a dismal campaign around 180 degrees: from break even/loss to real money from a very tired (of the organization) list.

I have seen him speak and then got this book. It is very entertaining but most of all it addresses the subject very methodically. Every reader will recognize the mediocre and unmoving writing that he is fixing and cleaning and transforming. If you are new to fund raising and need a primer on writing the annual letter (often the only fund raising small organizations do) look no further. The Expression "he wrote the book..." may just have been coined to describe this.

I used the basic approach he advocates and turned a dismal campaign around 180 degrees: from break even/loss to real money from a very tired (of the organization) list.

I have seen him speak and then got this book. It is very entertaining but most of all it addresses the subject very methodically. Every reader will recognize the mediocre and unmoving writing that he is fixing and cleaning and transforming. If you are new to fund raising and need a primer on writing the annual letter (often the only fund raising small organizations do) look no further. The Expression "he wrote the book..." may just have been coined to describe this.

I used the basic approach he advocates and turned a dismal campaign around 180 degrees: from break even/loss to real money from a very tired (of the organization) list.

It's a great book specially if you are looking for some reference in how to take care of your assets, cash flow, etc. when you have to think about legacy, it is funny for me because I was talking to my brothers in order to start building something together having in mind to build a legacy for our family and I found this book just exactly what I needed, includes some examples about families that have done it before and how to have a structure to make it happen, I highly recommend it. Great job by Mr. Randall J. Ottinger Congratulations!

T

his is the best and most interesting book ever written on this subject.









This is the best,most complete and most interesting book ever written on this subject.It is'nt just for those who have acquired wealth,it is also for their children. Can't hardly wait for Mr.Ottingers next book on business or whatever he feels compelled to pass on to his new group of admirers.

Finally a book that puts together all of the pieces of the world of what it means to invest and why we do it. Mr. Ottinger very carefully pieces together what is important about investing and building a legacy. He uses real life examples of people who have become successful not only with their wealth building but also in building a legacy in the philanthropy as well as family legacy. No matter how much wealth anyone has, the lessons that are inside of this book are relevant to all of us. It could almost be called, "The Habits of highly successful legacy builders"

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.)

I must confess, I have not been able to read the book cover to cover because it is so touching my eyes keep tearing up and I have to stop. It is amazing what a difference one can make in the life of a child. The commitment is minimal, and the rewards are great. I have been a Big Sister for several years now, and it has really enriched my life (and my Little Sister's too, I hope!). I highly recommend reading this book if you have ever considered becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, or if you have or know of a child you think might benefit from the program.

This is a fantastic book for those who are new Big Brothers/Sisters or for those thinking about doing so. The insight the author gives into the process of becoming one, as well as what impact it has on a boy's life is great. I just started as a Big Brotheer and keep referring back to it.

This was a heart touching book. The stories on these pages will move you. I became a Big after thinking about it for some time...reading this book sealed the deal. It has changed my life and the life of a young boy only looking for some time and attention. I hope reading this book will encourge you to take an interest in our youth and make a Big Impact.