New Books

March 2009

Effective Donor Relations: Hedrick, Janet; 2009; "Nonprofit Essentials: Acknowledgment, Recognition and Stewardship" (Part of the AFP Fund Development Series) is a concise and professional guide to donor relations in a format that is accessible, lively, easy to read, and that provides in-depth advice from an expert in the field. The book guides in creating and implementing each aspect of a donor relation plan, providing recommended solutions to frequently encountered dilemmas and including sample documents, checklists, and other tools to help shape an effective program. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.
Getting Started with Policy Governance: Bringing Purpose, Integrity and Efficiency to Your Board's Work: Oliver, Caroline; 2009; In this newest book on the Policy Governance approach to board leadership created by John Carver, Caroline Oliver gives readers practical, hands-on tools for getting the most from the system in the day-to-day operation of their boards. In the Policy Governance Fieldbook, Oliver explored the experience of 11 organizations that succeeded and failed in using Policy Governance. Now, she has drawn upon the most important lessons from that experience as well as her experience in helping many more organizations along the Policy Governance road to governing excellence. The result is a wealth of tools and resources for helping readers to:Decide if Policy Governance is right for themIdentify and link with ownersDevelop means policiesCreate Ends policiesMonitor PoliciesRun meetingsEvaluatePlan for the future(Jossey-Bass/Wiley)
The Drucker Foundation Self-Assessment Tool Process Guide Revised: Stern, Gary; 1998; The Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit ManagementThe National Space Society board of directors held its retreat and it was an amazing success. The Self-Assessment Tool was an excellent tool to guide us through the process. --Richard E. Biehl, National Space SocietyWe have found the Self-Assessment Tool to be particularly helpful in assisting organizations to clarify their missions and reconceptualize strategy and tactics. The concepts presented and the carefully formulated questions are relevant to both established groups and those just starting out. --Aliza Mazor, resource development coordinator, Shatil, a support project for voluntary organizations in IsraelSince its original publication in 1993, the best-selling Drucker Foundation Self-Assessment Tool has helped and inspired countless nonprofit boards, executives, and teams to rediscover the direction and potential of their organizations. This completely revised edition of the Self-Assessment Tool combines long-range planning and strategic marketing with a passion for dispersed leadership. It allows an organization to plan for results, to learn from its customers, and to release the energy of its people to further its mission.Considered to be the father of modern management, Peter F. Drucker applies a lifetime of wisdom and expertise to help nonprofit organizations uncover the truth about their performance, focus their direction, and improve their overall effectiveness. Regardless of your organization's size and planning experience, the Self-Assessment Tool provides the means to apply Peter Drucker's invaluable insights directly to your organization and its needs. The fully enhanced edition not only provides expanded methods of evaluation and planning, but also places special emphasis on implementing the decisions made in the self-assessment process.Fully enhanced from extensive user feedback, the Process Guide features step-by-step guidelines as well as sample reports, customer surveys, agAndas for discussions or retreats, and a completed plan. Nonprofit leaders and their teams will find detailed instructions on how to work through the three phases of self-assessment: Preparing for Self-Assessment, Conducting the Self-Assessment Process, and Completing the Plan. The revised guide contains the tools necessary to complete the self-assessment process and an effective plan. These resources include sample customer research formats, practical facilitation techniques, methods for developing a mission statement, and a more comprehensive reference section. (Wiley)
The Charismatic Organization: Eight Ways to Grow a Nonprofit That Builds Buzz, Delights Donors, and Energizes Employees: Sagawa, Shirley; 2008; The authors offer a framework that allows organizations to go beyond quick fixes and fundraising strategies to a broader paradigm that encompasses community and organization building. What if every person involved with an organization was fully engaged and shared a common goal? What if the efforts of a relatively small ring of staff and board members were amplified by everyone touched by the organization, including current and former volunteers, staff, board members, clients, constituents, funders and supporters? That, the authors show, is the way a charismatic organization operates. The book provides numerous examples of how successful organizations have made this shift, as well as action steps that all organizations can take to perform better."In today’s interdependent world, nonprofit organizations have more opportunity than ever before to make a difference in people’s lives. Drawing upon their extensive experience in public service, Shirley Sagawa and Deborah Jospin identify the traits that give successful nonprofits the competitive edge they need to maximize their effectiveness and sustainability. The Charismatic Organization: Eight Ways to Grow a Nonprofit That Builds Buzz, Delights Donors, and Energizes Employees draws an authoritative blueprint for using social capital to transform good intentions into concrete results."– Former President Bill Clinton (Wiley)

April 2009

The Logic Model Guidebook: Better Strategies for Great Results: Knowlton, Lisa; Call Number: 361.70681 K739; 2009; Both Wyatt Knowlton and Phillips are with a consultant firm specializing in measurement and management resources for systems and social change. In this text they share their knowledge of how to create and use logic models as part of a disciplined process for achieving great results. Coverage includes an introductory overview of logic models, building and improving theory of change logic models, creating program logic models, improving project logic models, and practical ways that logic models can assist in monitoring and evaluation. The text is intended for both professionals and students in the nonprofit, government and private sectors where the responsibilities of program design, planning, management, communication, and evaluation are routine.

May 2009

Fundraising When Money Is Tight: A Strategic and Practical Guide to Surviving Tough Times and Thriving in the Future: Warwick, Mal; Call Number: 361.70681 W311.2; 2009; A Nonprofit Survival Kit for Hard Times
Storytelling For Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising: Clarke, Cheryl; Call Number: 361.70681 C5975 2009; 2009; This second edition of the best-selling book Storytelling for Grontseekers contains all the resources and information needed to help craft a persuasive summary, package a compelling narrative story, and create a short story approach to letters of inquiry. Cheryl Clarke walks grantseekers through all the phases of developing an effective proposal and highlights the creative elements that link components to each other and unify the entire proposal. Clarke also stresses the larger grantseeking effort, one that emphasizes preparation, working with the entire development staff and board of directors, and maintaining positive relations with funders. Using this resource, new and seasoned grantseekers will discover how to channel their passion and creativity to tell their organization's tale and create winning proposals.

June 2009

The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management: Weinstein, Stanley; Call Number: 361.70681 W4247; 2009; There are now more than 1 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, and the fundraising industry is one of the fastest-growing segments of the economy. The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management presents step-by-step guidance on planning, self-assessment, continual improvement, cost effective fundraising strategies and much more. An accompanying website contains checklists, grids, and sample forms. Plus, the Third Edition adds a chapter on internet fundraising as well as updated statistics. Fundraising professionals will benefit from the practical advice on managing the complexities of a development office.

July 2009

How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation: Mancuso, Anthony; Call Number: 361.763 M269 2009; 2009; The process of becoming a tax-exempt organization may appear intimidating, but with How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation, you can do it quickly, easily and with confidence.This bestselling book includes complete instructions for obtaining federal 501(c)(3) tax exemption and for qualifying for public charity status with the IRS. It will help you: complete an IRS tax-exemption applicationprepare articles of incorporationwrite the bylaws of your nonprofitfill in minutes of the organizational meetingunderstand your state’s specific nonprofit requirementsThe 9th edition is completely updated to provide the latest federal and state rules, including brand new requirements for filling out Form 1023 and other essential IRS documents. Plus, all the forms you need can be found both as tear-outs and on the CD-ROM.What are you waiting for? Incorporate your nonprofit and pursue your worthy cause!
Jump-starting the Stalled Fundraising Campaign: Call Number: 361.70681 W181.2; 2009; Things have suddenly gotten a lot tougher in the fundraising business. Nonprofits have begun searching for new ways to make budgets stretch further, to do more with less, and to maximize their return on investment.Part of the AFP / Wiley Fund Development Series, Jump-Starting the Stalled Fundraising Campaign will help your nonprofit develop a strategic approach to fundraising in the weak economy, with advice on knowing if your campaign is in trouble, what short-term steps you can take to stem your losses, and how to avoid the Top 10 campaign mistakes.Concise and practical, Jump-Starting the Stalled Fundraising Campaign discusses:Fundraising in a challenging economic environmentKnowing how to identify opportunitiesHow to re-engage board, staff, and volunteersProspect identification, cultivation, and solicitationCommunicating more effectively to attract additional supportBuilding on opportunities for change across the organizationStuck? Jump-start your campaign today with Julia Walker’s step-by-step guidance, practical tools, and clear strategies for getting your nonprofit’s campaign back on the road to success.
The Truth About What Nonprofit Boards Want: the nine little things that matter most: Call Number: 361.763 B7999; 2009; This book is about the Truth of the Board Experience. It's about what they want. It's about the most satisfying board experiences as told by board members across three continents Of all the people interviewed, certain messages were consistent across the board. No matter the type of board or the sophistication of the organization, the leaders had a lot in common. Throughout the pages of this book, readers will find nine myths exposed as well as the truths shared, all from the hearts and souls of giving, caring, and successful people. The points were much simpler than expected, but the whole of their message is much greater than the sum of its parts.

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