November 13, 2008 | Read Time: 2 minutes
NEW BOOKS
Yours for the Asking: An Indispensable Guide to Fundraising and Management
by Reynold Levy
“It is a puzzle that while giving funds to nonprofit institutions is hardly unusual, the act of asking seems so universally disliked, misunderstood, and disdained,” writes Reynold Levy, a seasoned fund raiser and president of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, in New York.
This book is Mr. Levy’s attempt to alleviate the fear and intimidation that some fund raisers may feel by offering advice, with a sense of humor, culled from a fund-raising career of more than 30 years.
A chapter entitled “A Passport to Successful Fundraising: Lessons of a Lifetime” includes Mr. Levy’s “most precious secrets,” including his view that it is much more important to approach donors early with an imperfect presentation than to solicit them late with a comprehensive message, his advice on how fund raisers can learn from their mistakes, and the maxim that fund raisers should always leave room to solicit more money later.
In another chapter, he gives tips on working with foundations and corporations. He urges fund raisers to consider how the corporation’s brand would benefit from an association with their nonprofit group when making their pitch. He also gives suggestions on winning grants from large private foundations.
The chapter “Humor and Fundraising,” offers jokes and anecdotes about the relentless nature of fund raisers, some of whom are colleagues of Mr. Levy’s and the “deep pockets and short arms” of some donors.
Mr. Levy also offers tips and advice on fund raising in a touch economy, making face-to-face pitches, planning special events and direct-mail appeals, soliciting donations from volunteers, and handling uncomfortable situations.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 111 River Street, Fourth Floor, Hoboken, N.J. 07030; (201) 748-6000; fax (201) 748-6088; http://www.wiley.com; 210 pages; $29.95; ISBN 978-0-470-24342-8..
