Weekly Picks

2008 Publications of the Week

December 28 , 2008 - January 3, 2009

Nonprofit Almanac 2008 by Kennard T. Wing, Thomas H. Pollak and Amy Blackwood

From the publisher: America's nonprofit sector continues to grow faster than its business sector or the government. The Nonprofit Almanac 2008 presents data on these organizations place in the national economy and trends in wages, employment, private giving, volunteering, and finances. The tables and graphics will give scholars, practitioners, and policymakers the data they need at a glance, while the textual analysis will help them plan for the future. 

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

December 21 - 27, 2008

Nonprofit Essentials: Major Gifts by Julia Ingraham Walker

From the publisher: Part of the AFP/Wiley Fund Development Series, Nonprofit Essentials: Major Gifts is a professional guide to major gift fundraising, concisely presented in a format that is accessible, lively, and easy-to-read. With in-depth advice from experienced fundraiser Julia Walker, this book takes the reader from the early stages of establishing a program through the core elements of all major gift programs: identifying and rating prospects; preparing the case; training volunteers; cultivating donors; making the ask; and providing recognition and stewardship for the gift. Its nuts-and-bolts presentation focuses on how to create a prospect-centered program that develops the capacity to engage and solicit donors, effectively based on their unique interests and needs. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

December 14 - 20, 2008

Fundraising Analytics: Using Data to Guide Strategy by Joshua M. Birkholz

From the publisher: Fundraising Analytics: Using Data to Guide Strategy Fundraising Analytics shows you how to turn your nonprofit’s organizational data with an appropriate focus on donors, into actionable knowledge. The result? A vibrant, donor-centered nonprofit organization that makes maximum use of data to reveal the unique diversity of its donors. It provides step-by-step instructions for understanding your constituents, developing metrics to gauge and guide your success, and much more. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

December 7 - 13, 2008

The Influential Fundraiser: Using the Psychology of Persuasion to Achieve Outstanding Results by Bernard Ross and Clare Segal

From the publisher: With the explosion of uninspired e-mail solicitations, dull fundraising dinners, and cookie-cutter direct mail campaigns, donors are demanding a new, personalized approach when being asked for money. Drawing on the authors' practical experience and the most current psychological and neurological research, The Influential Fundraiser offers a wealth of approaches that will help fundraisers make significant and successful creative "asks" for money from donors . . . in person. Written by Bernard Ross and Clare Segal—two leading experts in the field of international nonprofit fundraising—the book offers step-by-step guidance for gaining confidence and learning the necessary skills and techniques fundraisers must have to build successful relationships and raise substantial amounts of money. Written in an accessible, engaging style, The Influential Fundraiser will help you to be both highly effective and very flexible. The 5P model outlined in the book—Passion, Proposal, Preparation, Persuasion, and Persistence—will help fundraisers and volunteers learn invaluable skills needed for fundraising success. The Influential Fundraiser is international in scope and includes helpful suggestions for dealing with a wide range of cultural and diversity issues. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

November 30 - December 6, 2008

The Search for Social Entrepreneurship by Paul Charles Light

From the publisher: Research on social entrepreneurship is finally catching up to its rapidly growing potential. In The Search for Social Entrepreneurship, Paul Light explores this surge of interest to establish the state of knowledge on this growing phenomenon and suggest directions for future research. Light begins by outlining the debate on how to define social entrepreneurship, a concept often cited and lauded but not necessarily understood. The subsequent section examines the four main components of social entrepreneurship: ideas, opportunities, organizations, and the entrepreneurs themselves. The copious information available about each has yet to be mined for lessons on making social entrepreneurship a success. The third section draws on Light s original survey research on 131 high-performing nonprofits, exploring how they differ across the four key components. The fourth and final section offers recommendations for future action and research in this burgeoning field.  Paul C. Light is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service at New York University. He is also Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he founded the Center for Public Service. Light is the author of numerous books on public service and management, among them Pathways to Nonprofit Excellence (2002), Government's Greatest Achievements (2002), Making Nonprofits Work (2000), and The New Public Service (1999).

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

November 23 - 29, 2008

Lunch and Learn: Creative and Easy-to-Use Activities for Teams and Work Groups by Carolyn Nilson

From the publisher: Lunch and Learn is filled with ready-to-use activities designed for full-time trainers, managers, team leaders, supervisors, and anyone else who acts as a trainer within their organization. The activities are on-the-job learning sessions that explore targeted topics relevant to almost any team or group. Each of the 25 sessions is a short 55-minute learning experience that is based on the best principles of discussion and reflection, creative thinking, problem solving, and action planning. All the book’s activities are organized in a step-by-step fashion and include everything a session leader needs to conduct a successful learning event, from discussion starters and activity handouts through suggestions for wrapping up the session.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

November 16 - 22, 2008

The Mercifully Brief, Real World Guide to Attracting the Attention Your Cause Deserves by Joseph Barbato

From the publisher: First, let's make clear what this book is NOT. It is not a guide for writing press releases. It is not a manual for creating a speaker's bureau. It is not a treatise offering PR palaver. After reading Attracting the Attention Your Cause Deserves, here are just a few of the skills you'll become more proficient at: -Sharpening your organization's niche -Identifying the range of people who benefit from your work … thereby targeting your audiences with greater precision - Cultivating the right media people, locally, regionally, and nationally if appropriate - Organizing your website most efficiently for the press - Making a persuasive pitch, in writing and over the phone - Becoming the "go to" person for reporters and others, and - Learning how to package your expertise to gain even greater exposure.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

November 9 - 15, 2008

CauseWired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World by Tom Watson

From the publisher: An eye-opening guide to the massive societal impact of online social networks. For today's super-wired, always-on, live-life-in-public young Americans, the causes they support define who they are. Societal aspirations have so permeated the "net native" population that causes have become like musical tastes. CauseWired illustrates wired causes in action, bringing real-world stories to readers. The first book to track the massive societal impact on causes of online social networks--from blogs, to video, to the rise of social networks, CauseWired reveals the extraordinary influence of online social networks--in raising money for charity, in changing the political climate and electing candidates, and in raising consciousness for causes. From Facebook causes and campaigns on MySpace, to a raft of new startups and innovative projects, and political movements like the Obama campaign and Save Darfur, this immensely relevant book delivers actionable research and recommendations to help readers launch their own successful wired social campaigns. Tom Watson is the publisher of onPhilanthropy.com and founder of newcritics.com, an online journal of culture. A contributing writer to the Huffington Post with a 25-year professional career that includes the founding of two companies and several popular online publications, he is Chief Strategy Officer of Changing Our World Inc., a national philanthropic services company.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

November 2 - 8, 2008

Results that Matter: Improving Communities by Engaging Citizens, Measuring Performance, and Getting Things Done by Paul Epstein, Paul M. Coates, Lyle D. Wray, and David Swain

From the Publisher: Today's communities—whether they are currently strong, or struggling to survive—face difficult challenges if they want to be tomorrow's healthy, vibrant communities. The challenge for leaders and citizens of modern communities is not just to solve specific problems today. Their real challenge is to keep learning from their experience so they can keep improving their communities tomorrow. Results That Matter will provide a new governance framework for using valuable tools of community improvement—especially performance measurement and citizen engagement—to empower communities to achieve the outcomes their citizens most desire. Government and nonprofit managers will learn how to combine these tools in new ways, not only to achieve one-time improvement of their organizations and communities, but to foster continual community renewal and improvement. The benefits and practicality of the framework and related practices will be reinforced by case examples from 25 communities across the country. The book will offer "how to" guidance to public and nonprofit managers, including promising practices for effective communities, and new roles for citizens, community leaders, and managers.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

October 26 - November 1, 2008

The One Page Business Plan for Non-Profit Organizations by James T. Horan Jr.

From the publisher: The edition of the One Page Business Plan Series has been specifically designed for Non-Profits. If you are responsible for founding or managing a non-profit organization, this book was written for you.  Now you can easily write a draft plan on a single page in less than two hours. Thousands of non-profits have already successfully written and implemented One Page Plans with this simple and effective planning methodology. This special version of The One Page Business Plan has been called "The One Page Promise" because it helps directors, boards, management and volunteers clearly define and live up to their promises at organizational, departmental, project and program levels, all in fast, easy to communicate and actionable terms.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

October 19 - 25, 2008

Working Across Generations: Defining the Future of Nonprofit Leadership by Frances Kunreuther, Helen Kim and Robby Rodriguez

From the publisher: The authors provide a range of ideas on how to approach generational shifts in leadership so that the contributions of long-time leaders are valued, new and younger leaders' talent is recognized, and groups are better prepared to work across generational divides. Giving context to these differences, they explore the current assumptions about the upcoming transition between generations in the social sector; introduce new ideas or frames for thinking about generational leadership change; and examine how this change poses individual, organizational, and systemic challenges for those in the social sector. In addition, they provide numerous examples and practical exercises to show how to address these issues. The book concludes with critical advice on how to communicate across generations and key recommendations for future research and action.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

October 12 - 18, 2008

The Charismatic Organization: Eight Ways to Grow a Nonprofit that Builds Buzz, Delights Donors, and Energizes Employees by Shirley Sagawa, Deborah Jospin and Jonathan M. Tisch

From the publisher: 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.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

October 5 - 11, 2008

Disaster Recovery Planning for Nonprofits by Michael K Robinson

Disaster Recovery Planning for Nonprofits offers advice to help nonprofits plan for natural disasters, equipment failures, terrorist attacks, thefts, scandals, and other emergencies. It explains components of a disaster plan and lays the framework for plan development and is intended to be used as a starting point for organizations that wish to form comprehensive disaster recovery plans. The book also examines current trends identified through a recent nonprofit study.  Includes appendices with disaster recovery planning resources and a bibliography. Recommended Peter Brinckerhoff of Corporate Alternatives Incorporated.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

September 28 - October 4, 2008

Yours for the Asking: An Indispensable Guide to Fundraising and Management by Reynold Levy

From the publisher: Yours For the Asking is a how-to guide for anyone with an instinct to raise funds who has fears, qualms, or hesitancies to do so. It explains in easy to understand language how to reach wealthy people face to face, in writing, in large groups, at special events, and over the Internet. And—once their attention has been gained—how to bring home the bacon. It solves the mystery of fundraising from foundations, those notoriously elusive entities that seem to house experts in closing doors, ignoring solicitations, and, when pressed for an answer, saying no. It also demonstrates how many ways there are to tap the resources of donors—large and small—for the institution that commands your respect, affect, and attention.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

September 21 - 27, 2008

First-Time Leaders of Small Groups: How to Create High Performing Committees, Task Forces, Clubs and Boards by Manuel London and Marilyn London

From the publisher: First-Time Leaders of Small Groups offers novice and experienced leaders the information they need to keep their members interested and involved, resolve conflicts and deal with difficult people, and ultimately have their group achieve results . . . quickly. The book includes four steps for preparing to lead (selecting members, setting the groundwork for high performance, planning, and establishing your leadership style) and four steps for taking the lead (starting right, working smart, coaching, and assessing). These steps will help you take the lead with confidence. First-Time Leaders of Small Groups is filled with illustrative examples of a wide range of small groups and provides clear suggestions for action. The book includes:

	Questions and answers based on research on what works well, and what does not
	Diagnostics for determining your group’s strengths and weaknesses
	Leadership challenges—ideas for overcoming common difficulties
	Self-assessments to help build confidence as a group leader
	Examples of approaches for different group situations
	Models for understanding how groups work
	Activities for improving group functions
	Key research findings
	Easy-to-follow suggestions for practice

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com

September 14 - 20, 2008

Strategic Communications for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide to Working with the Media, 2nd Edition by Kathy Bonk, Emily Tynes, Henry Griggs, and Phil Sparks

From the publisher: This is a new edition of Strategic Communications for Nonprofits, which was first published in 1999. It is an up-dated, nuts-and-bolts guide to helping nonprofits design and implement successful communications strategies. The book offers a unique combination of step-by-step guidance on effective media relations and assistance in constructing and developing an overall communications strategy aimed at creating social or policy change. It first explains the basic principles of a strategic communications strategy that will define the target audiences you need to reach and tells how to develop the messages and messengers you use to reach them. The book then goes on to address specific issues like earning good media coverage, building partnerships to increase available resources, handling a crisis, and more. This second edition builds on the earlier work and includes new case studies, new trends in media and branding, ethnic media issues, and trends in technology. 

Click to preview this book on josseybass.com
 

September 7 - 13, 2008

Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit by Peter C. Brinckerhoff

Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit, by Peter C. Brinckerhoff was awarded the 2008 Terry McAdam Book Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advancement of Nonprofit Management. Congratulations Peter! Though we listed this publication as our pick when it was first published, we are offering it again as this week's pick.

From the publisher: Generational change presents as many opportunities for nonprofits as challenges. In Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit, nonprofit mission expert Peter Brinckerhoff tells you what to expect and how to plan for it. From iPod policies to recruiting younger board members, Brinckerhoff shows how you can address generational trends, today, to keep your nonprofit organization relevant and able to meet the changing needs of your staff, volunteers, donors, and the community you serve. You’ll come away with an understanding of six key generational  trends and how they will impact your nonprofit. Individual chapters provide in-depth information on how to deal with generation issues in each area of your organization—staff, board, volunteers, clients, marketing, technology, and finances. This hands-on guides includes the Generational Self-Assessment Tool. This tool gives you a baseline to measure your success as you bring generations into your planning. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

August  31 - September 6, 2008

Discussing the Undiscussable: A Guide to Overcoming Defensive Routines in the Workplace by William R. Noonan

From the publisher: Since his 1990 landmark book Overcoming Organizational Defenses, Chris Argyris has extensively researched and written about how well-meaning, smart people create vicious cycles of defensive behavior to protect themselves from embarrassment and threat. In Discussing the Undiscussable, Bill Noonan enlivens the scholarly work of Chris Argyris through the use of reflective exercises and easy-to-read chapters that illuminate the basic human experience endemic to the creation of defensive routines.

This book offers hope for altering organizational defensive routines by leveraging the greatest opportunity for change—the way we think and act. Discussing the Undiscussable provides a set of practical “how to do” exercises for detecting, surfacing, and discussing organizational defensive routines in a safe and productive way. The combination of text, business fable, and interactive and reflective exercises is versatile in its application to both individuals and groups. The companion DVD contains video vignettes of the book’s business fable where the actors model both defensive routines and virtuous cycles of behavior. Readers will instantly recognize what has long been going on in the workplace, and will be able to develop the skills to talk about it productively.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

August  24 - 30, 2008

Marketing Research: A Practical Approach by Bonita Kolb

From the publisher: Essential to any student of the discipline, this innovative new book offers a uniquely comprehensive and applied approach to both understanding and designing market research. Sensitively balancing the fundamental quantitative methodologies and theoretical structures with practical applications of qualitative techniques, this book is a vastly accessible, useful, and insightful text. This is a valuable resource both for the novice researcher, and for those more familiar with the discipline. Drawing on many years of academic teaching experience, the author crafts a comprehensive and practical student text with an emphasis on both critical thinking and hands-on application. Providing several real life case studies - from the large corporation, through to the small business or the nonprofit organization - Marketing Research is packed with useful learning features such as key terms, definitions, and discussion topics. Offering comprehensive support from a companion website, this book is an indispensable guide to the varied domains of market research.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

August 17 - 23, 2008

Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Field Guide for Leaders, Managers, and Facilitators by Patrick M. Lencioni

From the publisher: In the years following the publication of Patrick Lencioni’s best-seller The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, fans have been clamoring for more information on how to implement the ideas outlined in the book. In Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Lencioni offers more specific, practical guidance for overcoming the Five Dysfunctions—using tools, exercises, assessments, and real-world examples. He examines questions that all teams must ask themselves: Are we really a team? How are we currently performing? Are we prepared to invest the time and energy required to be a great team? Written concisely and to the point, this guide gives leaders, line managers, and consultants alike the tools they need to get their teams up and running quickly and effectively.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

August 10 - 16, 2008

Grantseeker's Guide to Winning Proposals by Judith B. Margolin

From the publisher: This latest addition to The Foundation Center’s best-selling Winning Proposals series includes 35 actual, funded proposals reprinted in their entirety. The Grantseeker's Guide features proposals to international funders including the Mott Foundation; large regional funders such as the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation; corporate funders including the Mitsubishi Foundation, as well as regional/local foundations. Featured examples cover a wide variety of projects, from start-up costs to a major medical center. Each proposal includes remarks by the program officer who approved the grant.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

August 3 - 9, 2008

Creating and Implementing Your Strategic Plan: A Workbook for Public and Nonprofit Organizations 2nd Edition by John M. Bryson and Farnum K. Alston

From the Publisher: Creating and Implementing Your Strategic Plan is the best-selling companion to John Bryson's landmark book, Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations. This new edition of the workbook is completely revised and updated and can be used as a stand-alone resource or as a companion to Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations. A step-by-step guide to putting strategic planning to work in public and nonprofit organizations, this indispensable workbook includes easy-to-understand worksheets and clear instructions for creating a strategic plan tailored to the needs of the individual organization. From setting up the meeting room to establishing a vision of the future, every step of the strategic planning process is covered. The workbook shows how to:

	Refine your organization’s mission and values
	Assess your internal and external environment
	Identify and frame strategic issues
	Formulate strategies to help manage the issues
	Create, review, and adopt the strategic plan
	Assess the strategic planning process

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

July 27 - August 2, 2008

Nonprofit Risk Management & Contingency Planning: Done in a Day Strategies by Peggy M. Jackson

From the publisher: Could your nonprofit stand up to risk assessment from outside authorities? Would it be ready should a key staff member leave? Risk management and business continuity planning have the potential for growing and strengthening the internal structure of your nonprofit, yet, these crucial practices are often deferred--or avoided--because many nonprofits fear the planning process will take forever, step on toes, or gather dust on a shelf once it is completed. With valuable templates, checklists, and worksheets to facilitate planning and preparation, Nonprofit Risk Management & Contingency Planning: Done in a Day Strategies is an uncomplicated way for your nonprofit to get risk management planning done. With some basic preparation--and dedication of a single day--this easy-to-read and easy-to-use tool introduces you to the nuts and bolts of strategic planning and equips you with the structure to engage successfully in a contingency planning process. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

July 20 - 26, 2008

Business Planning for Enduring Social Impact: A Social-Entrepreneurial Approach to Solving Social Problems by Andrew Wolk and Kelley Kreitz

From the publisher: Business Planning for Enduring Social Impact applies the strategic rigor and financial savvy of traditional private-sector business planning to social problem solving. This practical guide provides an introduction to business planning for enduring social impact and leads readers through a four-step process for creating an actionable business plan. The guide is an essential tool for organizations seeking to:

	Define organizational focus and strategy and establish a clear road map
	Build a financially sustainable model by creating a plan to establish reliable streams of philanthropic support, earned income, and/or in-kind resource
	Establish rigorous methods of measuring impact for the organization and its stakeholders
	Make data-driven decisions that lead to improvements to the organization and its activities
	Build partnerships with stakeholders in all three sectors public, private, and nonprofit

Key features include a glossary of business planning terms, plus an outline, sample workplan, and sample business plan for enduring social impact. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

July 13 - 19, 2008

Boards That Deliver: Advancing Corporate Governance From Compliance to Competitive Advantage by Ram Charan

From the publisher: Finally, a book that brings the vision of truly good governance down to earth. Ram Charan, expert in corporate governance and best-selling author, packs this book with useful tools and techniques to take boards and their companies to a higher level of performance. Charan puts his finger on a growing problem for boards: the disconnect between directors' efforts and their results. The added time and attention boards invest is not translating into better governance, that is, governance that adds value to the business. Boards That Deliver gets beyond the rhetoric of corporate governance reform. It captures the tried-and-true practices used by high-performance boards. In contrast to experts who base prescriptions on number-crunching exercises, Charan identifies the real problems that drain directors' time and suppress their best judgments and explains clearly and succinctly how boards can solve those problems. These battle-tested solutions help boards achieve what rules and regulations alone cannot to get succession right, refine a winning strategy, and design a rational CEO compensation package.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

July 6 - 12, 2008

Boomer Volunteer Engagement: Collaborate Today, Thrive Tomorrow

From the publisher: Boomer Volunteer Engagement: Collaborate Today, Thrive Tomorrow is everything nonprofits need to engage skilled Boomer volunteers.  This innovative book provides a step-by-step guide for engaging Boomers as volunteers to build organizational capacity. The authors offer a new framework through which nonprofits can capitalize on the vast skills and resources of the 78.2 million Baby Boomers. The guidebook includes a comprehensive, easy-to-understand synthesis of the body of research on the Baby Boomer generation, featuring information that is current and relevant to volunteer engagement.   The book also includes 14 downloadable interactive PDF worksheets that focus effort on measurable results.  With this inspiring and practical guide for reengineering volunteer programs, nonprofits will not only survive in a changing world, but also thrive in the future. Through collaborative volunteer engagement with the Baby Boomer generation, organizations will have the capacity to fulfill their missions and achieve their dreams.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

June 29 - July 5, 2008

Exposing the Elephants: Creating Exceptional Nonprofits by Pamela J. Wilcox

From the publisher: Providing an insider's look into the need for change, Exposing the Elephants: Creating Exceptional Nonprofits gives an eye-opening assessment of the state of the nonprofit sector today, as well as practical and useful recommendations for real change from within. Written by nonprofit authority Pamela Wilcox, Exposing the Elephants is straightforward in tone and brims with optimism for the future of the nonprofit industry. This stirring guide confronts the brutal facts of daily existence in the nonprofit setting, and equips you with a new and pragmatic framework to propel your organization to embrace innovation, new venture risk, and lasting mission achievements.

Divided into three parts, Part I of Exposing the Elephants introduces the nonprofit industry and explores the public perception of nonprofits. Part II tackles the "what" and "why" of the five nonprofit "elephants," with each elephant representing an uncomfortable truth that volunteer and staff leaders recognize, but refuse to acknowledge. Finally, Part III explores the revolutionary ideas and practices—elephant solutions—that can tame and transform unruly pachyderms into well-behaved friends. Successful tools and techniques are sprinkled throughout the chapters.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

June 22 - 28, 2008

Power in Policy: A Funder's Guide to Advocacy and Civic Participation by Hodding, III Carter and David F. Arons

From the Publisher: Why should funders try to shape public policy? Simply put, because public policy has impact on mission. And, it’s the only way to affect the laws that determine how people will be treated, what services will be provided, and what behaviors are acceptable. But what role should foundations play? Power in Policy, written primarily by foundation practitioners for foundations, is the first book that:

	Makes a strong case for why advocacy and civic participation are fundamental roles for foundations
	Shares insights, lessons, and perspectives from foundation leaders and legal and philanthropic experts on how to engage in, talk about, and incorporate advocacy into philanthropy—and the nature of their role in the policymaking arena
	Answers frequently asked questions including, “How does my foundation assess various risks?” “How do we organizationally prepare for public policy work, and develop partnerships and advocacy strategies?”
	Gives rich case stories of how private and community foundations—including large and small foundations—are meeting their missions through public policy and civic activity
	Presents clearly and concisely key policy principles, legal rules, and evaluation methods
	Provides a toolkit for foundations to develop the capacity to engage in advocacy at their own speed and resource level

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

June 15 - 21, 2008

Wired for Good: Strategic Technology Planning for Nonprofits by Joni Podolsky

Wired for Good is a nuts-and-bolts guide to strategic technology planning for nonprofit organizations—no matter how large or small. This book leads nonprofits through a planning process that will help them align their technology use with their mission and strategic goals, determine what the appropriate technology tools are to meet those goals, and how the technology will be implemented and supported over time. This essential guide also shows how to win support for a strategic technology plan within an organization, evaluate a plan's effectiveness, and help staff and other stakeholders adapt to the changes new technology will bring about. Wired for Good shows nonprofit professionals how to:

	Get their organization ready for the strategic technology planning process
	Dispel the myths surrounding technology planning
	Understand the benefits of strategic technology planning
	Overcome organizational resistance to strategic technology planning
	Define the roles and responsibilities of staff and other key stakeholders in creating a successful plan
	Make the best use of volunteers and consultants
	Find the funds to support technology implementation

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters by Mal Warwick

From the Publisher: Write with confidence and reach your donors.You'll learn all the essential components of writing for success from this go-to book for writing for fundraising! Mal Warwick, the nation's premier letter-writing tutor and direct mail expert, shows you the essential tools for making your direct marketing program a success. He gives you both general advice about the most effective direct mail strategies and specific guidance. Learn his step-by-step model through all the critical stages -from laying the groundwork for a prosperous campaign through the importance of thanking donors. Includes new chapters on E-mail solicitations, monthly and legacy giving and free downloads on josseybass.com. In this revised and updated edition, you will:

	Gain insight into current trends in the field with updated cases, samples, and examples
	Access more content for small to medium NPOs with limited budgets and resources
	Learn the latest technology with new sections on typography and lay out

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

June 1 - 7, 2008

Benchmarking in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors: Best Practices for Achieving Performance Breakthroughs by Patricia Keehley and Neil Abercrombie

From the Publisher: The first edition of Benchmarking in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors offered public officials and administrators at all levels of government a unique and practical guide to identifying best practices and implementing them in their organizations. Based on the most current research, this new edition of the best-selling guide provides an updated, solution-driven methodology for benchmarking in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Unique in its focus solely on benchmarking, the authors take a step-by-step approach to two benchmarking techniques, differentiating between the two and then providing a new approach to solution-driven benchmarking that requires less time and fewer resources.

Benchmarking in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors provides new tools, many updated case studies, and additional examples not only from government and nonprofit agencies, but also from the international community. This important resource will help practitioners implement a quick, proven method as they search for solutions to their most pressing problems. Click to preview this book on Amzaon.com
 

May 18 - 31, 2008

Philanthropy Annual: 2007 Review

From the publisher: This new compendium, published by the Foundation Center, provides a full overview of organized philanthropy in all its forms, illustrating philanthropy's important role in society and its national and global impact. Its contents are drawn in part from Philanthropy News Digest (PND), the Foundation Center's daily online news service, as well as selected research findings in the annual Foundations Today Series and other Center sources. Highlights include:

	Topical issues covered in the mainstream and philanthropic press during 2007
	News of individuals who have dedicated their professional lives to working for the public good
	In-depth interviews and commentary from widely respected leaders and thinkers
	a sampling of books, periodicals, and blogs in the field
	Key statistical information about U.S. grantmaking
	A desk reference section with contact information for sector organizations and philanthropy press

To order a copy, go to: foundationcenter.org
 

May 11 - 17, 2008

Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek

From the publisher: Life Entrepreneurs is an inspirational and practical guide for anyone who wants to incorporate the dynamic skills of entrepreneurs into their own lives and work.

A new generation of "life entrepreneurs" is emerging: people who apply their vision, talents, creativity, and energy not only to their work but to their entire lives, changing the world for themselves and those around them. In this book, successful entrepreneurs Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek draw on numerous interviews with fifty-five leading entrepreneurs worldwide as well as the wisdom of multiple thought leaders to provide vivid examples, moving vignettes, concrete frameworks, and practical strategies for revving up our work and play through entrepreneurial leadership. This book starts by providing strategies for integrating life, work, and purpose and ends by capturing the implications of the current entrepreneurial boom for our workplaces, learning institutions, communities, and families.

Christopher Gergen (Washington, D.C.) is a founding partner of New Mountain Ventures, co-founder and chairman of SMARTHINKING, Adjunct Professor and Director of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative at Duke University, and a life-long entrepreneur, Gregg Vanourek (Thornton, CO) is a founding partner of New Mountain Ventures, former CEO of Vanourek Consulting Solutions, and former Senior Vice President of School Development for K12 Inc. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

May 4 - 10, 2008

Mobilizing Generation 2.0: A Practical Guide to Using Web2.0 Technologies to Recruit, Organize and Engage Youth by Ben Rigby and Rock the Vote

From the publisher: Mobilizing Generation 2.0 is a practical and immediately useful guide for nonprofits, political campaigns, organizers, and individuals who want to better understand how to use Web 2.0 technologies. In easy-to-understand terms, this accessible book describes how readers can leverage new media—blogs, online social networking, photo- and video-sharing sites, mobile phones, wikis, online maps, and virtual worlds—to recruit, engage, and mobilize young people. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

April 27 - May 3, 2008

Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy by Gary D. Bass, David F. Arons, Kay Guinane, and Matthew F. Carter

From the publisher: Seen but Not Heard: Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy provides new research findings about the extent of nonprofit advocacy while also detailing the barriers and incentives for nonprofits seeking to engage in various types of policy activities.  Seen but Not Heard: Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy provides new research findings about the extent of nonprofit advocacy while also detailing the barriers and incentives for nonprofits seeking to engage in various types of policy activities, including lobbying. The book, written by Gary D. Bass, David F. Arons, Kay Guinane, and Matthew F. Carter, with assistance from Susan Rees, is the culmination of survey research, focus groups and interviews with nonprofit executives and board members around nonprofit policy engagement. It is a comprehensive analysis of advocacy – which includes lobbying – by charities and provides recommendations for strengthening nonprofit policy participation.  To preview this book, go to www.aspeninstitute.org
 

April 20 - 26, 2008

The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization by Peter F. Drucker and the Leader to Leader Institute

From the publisher: With Peter Drucker’s five essential questions and the help of five of today’s thought leaders, this little book will challenge readers to take a close look at the very heart of their organizations and what drives them. A tool for self-assessment and transformation, answering these five questions will fundamentally change the way you work, helping you lead your organization to an exceptional level of performance.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

April 13 - 19, 2008

Ethical Fundraising: A Guide for Nonprofit Boards and Fundraisers by Janice Gow Pettey 

From the publisher: Ethical Fundraising is an invaluable collection of essays based on the rich experience of philanthropic leaders. The book is full of cases, anecdotes, codes, and other hands-on material as well as wise reflections on the central role of ethics in fundraising. The book offers a range of practical tools and techniques to incorporate ethical standards and practices in nonprofit fundraising  Featuring contributions from a host of well-known and respected senior-level fundraising professionals, Ethical Fundraising provides clear and concise explanations of common ethical fundraising challenges along with practical case studies to stimulate thought and discussion. Essential topics are covered, including:

	Appearance of impropriety
	Rights of donors
	Tainted money
	Using donations as intended
	Choosing a leadership role
	Ethical decision-making
	Restoring public confidence in the nonprofit sector
	The ethics of grant making and grant seeking

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

April 6 - 12, 2008

The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution: Real-Time Strategic Planning in a Rapid-Response World by David LaPiana

In this ground-breaking book, strategy expert David La Piana introduces “Real-Time Strategic Planning,” a fluid, organic process that engages staff and board in a program of systematic readiness and continuous responsiveness. With it, your nonprofit will be able to identify, understand, and act on challenges and opportunities as they arise—not in six months when the “plan” is done. At the heart of this practical book is the Real-Time Strategic Planning Cycle. Based on four years of research and testing with a variety of nonprofits, this proven process guides you through the steps to sound strategy. You’ll find tools for:

	Clarifying your competitive advantage—where your organization fits in its marketplace, who your competitors are, and what sets you apart from the pack.
	Generating a strategy screen—criteria for evaluating strategies. The next time a critical issue pops up, you’ll have strategic principles in place and be able to respond quickly.
	Handling big questions—the opportunities or threats that require development of a new strategy in order to respond.
	Developing and testing strategies—reduce the chances of picking the wrong strategy.
	Implementing and adapting strategies—learn how to continuously probe for crises and opportunities—not just once every three years.

This useful guide also includes exhibits and case examples showing how concepts play out in real-life, 27 tools—10 of which are essential for forming strategies, theory to action sidebars telling you which tool to use for a given task, and a CD with all the tools and interactive worksheets you’ll need.   Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

March 30 - April 5, 2008

Leader to Leader 2: Enduring Insights on Leadership from the Leader to Leader Institute's Award Winning Journal edited by Frances Hesselbein and Alan Shrader

From the Publisher: Leader to Leader 2 brings together the best and most popular articles from the award-winning journal Leader to Leader by some of the best-selling authors and thought leaders of our day. With thirty-five new chapters not included in the previous volume, this book is designed as a resource for leaders at all levels. Each of the book’s five parts opens with guidance and ideas on how to enact the concepts discussed, practical action steps, thought-provoking questions, and handy tools. The Parts include: Understanding Leadership, Improving Your Personal Effectiveness, Developing People and Teams, Leading High-Performance Organizations, Leading Strategically in a World That Demands Innovation. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

March 23 - 29, 2008

Board Members Rule: How to Be a Strategic Advocate for Your Nonprofit by Ann, W. Lehman and Robert, M. Zimmerman

From the publisher: Zimmerman and Lehman, authors of Boards That Love Fundraising, have written a new and accessible hands-on book, Board Members Rule, based on their experience in working with boards and nonprofits for many years. Board Members Rule reframes a board member's role to be a strategic advocate for your nonprofit and its constituency. Given the heightened awareness of accountability and transparency, Board Members Rule shows how to pay attention to both while furthering your values, mission and vision and promoting pragmatic, effective and efficient strategies. It's filled with practical and common-sense tools, resources, grids, forms, and examples. There is a learning exercise to fit every chapter, and lists of references, resources and support centers throughout the nation. Ann Lehman and Robert Zimmerman are partners at Zimmerman Lehman, a consulting firm for nonprofits. They have over 60 years of combined experience working with nonprofits in board development, fundraising and public policy. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

March 16 - 22, 2008

Nonprofit Financial Planning Made Easy by Jody Blazek

From the publisher: This Second Edition of Nonprofit Financial Planning Made Easy presents easy-to-implement strategies to make financial management a more streamlined, effective process in nonprofits of all types and sizes. Addressing five key areas of financial planning, it provides practical forms and checklists to aid nonprofit managers in managing their organizations' financial resources.

Filled with numerous checklists, worksheets, and forms to guide nonprofit professionals step-by-step through the financial planning processes, this straightforward book avoids technical financial language and trendy business terms in favor of simple, down-to-earth advice filled with examples of proven financial planning strategies based on the author's firsthand experience advising nonprofits.

Jody Blazek (Houston, TX) is a partner in Blazek & Vetterling, LLP, a Houston-based CPA firm providing tax-compliance and auditing services to tax-exempt organizations as well as tax consulting services to other accountants and lawyers who serve nonprofits. She worked with the 1023 Revision Task Force, is currently on the 990 Revision Task Force, and is past chair of the AICPA Exempt Organization Resource Panel.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

March 9 - 15, 2008

Integrating Mission and Strategy for Nonprofit Organizations by James A. Phills

From the publisher: Today's nonprofit organizations face an environment characterized by higher levels of competition for funding, clients and audiences, talent, and recognition. Integrating Mission and Strategy for Nonprofit Organizations applies and adapts the core body of general management knowledge about mission, strategy, and execution to help nonprofit leaders deal with the special challenges they face. It strives to draw on this knowledge in a way that does not dilute or oversimplify, and at the same time recognizes the unique features of the nonprofit or voluntary sector. James A. Phills develops an action-oriented framework that combines rigorous analysis with the practical challenge of execution and change. In addition to helping nonprofit leaders think through important decisions and make concrete choices, the book also provides a shared language and a discipline that can serve as the basis for more productive discussions between the individuals who lead nonprofits, their boards, and the philanthropists who support their organizations and programs. James A. Phills, Jr., is on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he is also Co-Director of the Center for Social Innovation and Faculty Director of the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. His research focuses on strategic change, organizational learning, and social innovation. He has previously taught at Harvard University and Yale University. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

March 2 - 8, 2008

Cash Flow Strategies: Innovation in Nonprofit Financial Management by Richard S. Linzer and Anna O. Linzer

From the publisher: Cash Flow Strategies offers nonprofit organizations an innovative approach to financial management. In this companion to The Cash Flow Solution, the authors, Richard and Anna Linzer, reveal their approach—which emphasizes the use of cash flow concepts that enable an organization to have the working capital it needs. The book is filled with illustrative examples and includes the tools and templates needed to make these concepts immediately applicable to any institution. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

February 24 - March 1, 2008

Fund Raising Realities Every Board Member Must Face: A 1-Hour Crash Course on Raising Major Gifts for Nonprofit Organizations by David Lansdowne

From the publisher: If every board member of every nonprofit organization across America read this book, it’s no exaggeration to say that millions upon millions of additional dollars would be raised. How could it be otherwise when, after spending just one hour with this gem, board members everywhere would understand virtually everything they need to know about raising major gifts. Not more, not less. Just exactly what they need to do to be successful. In his bestselling book, Fund Raising Realities Every Board Member Must Face: A 1-Hour Crash Course on Raising Major Gifts for Nonprofit Organizations, David Lansdowne has distilled the essence of major gifts fundraising, put it in the context of 47 “realities,” and delivered it in unfailingly clear prose.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

February 17 - 23, 2008

Giving Back: Connecting You, Business, and Community by Peter Economy and Bert Berkley

There is something exciting happening in businesses across the country. More business-people and more companies than ever are participating in charitable activities and are learning that giving back is not a slogan—it is a way of doing business and a way of life. Giving Back reveals how fundamental and lasting changes are being accomplished in communities and highlights highly effective organizations from a number of major metropolitan areas, including Kiva.org, Horizons for Homeless Children, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, LINC, Stonyfield Farm Profits for the Planet, and many more. You will be inspired by the stories, anecdotes, personal observations, experience, and advice of visionary leaders in business, including:

	Roger Brown and Linda Mason, cofounders of Bright Horizons Family Solutions
	S. Truett Cathy, founder and Chairman, Chick-fil-A®, Inc.
	Matt Flannery, cofounder of Kiva.org
	Gary Hirshberg, Chairman, President, and CEO of Stonyfield Farm
	Kent C. (Oz) Nelson, retired chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service

In each case, you will discover the positive benefits of becoming personally involved in your community and of affiliating your business with charities and nonprofits. These benefits include an increase in your bottom line and in your employees' morale, as well as a boost to your company's brand and reputation — all through giving back.  To preview this book, go to www.josseybass.com
 

February 10 - 16, 2008

Model Policies and Procedures for Not-for-Profit Organizations, 4th Edition by Edward J. McMillan

From the publisher: Completely revised and expanded, the Fourth Edition of this invaluable tool is useful as a guide to nonprofit accountants, financial managers, and executives new to the area of financial management. Addressing the accounting, internal control, and office administration issues that confront executives in nonprofit organizations, this book:

	Helps professionals develop formal policies in accounting and finance
	Shows how to strengthen an organization's financial procedures while assuring board members that they are meeting fiduciary responsibilities
	Provides more than 200 sample policies and forms both in the book and on the accompanying Web site offering downloadable and customizable versions of those forms
	Covers major topics including accounting and financial policies, office administration policies, and internal control and risk reduction policies
	Contains dozens of new model accounting and financial policies and forms, covering Sarbanes-Oxley issues, codes of ethics, identity theft, fraud, binding arbitrations, compensation committees, new bank rules, fiduciary obligations of board members, and many more topics

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

February 3 - 9, 2008

The Tax Law of Charitable Giving, 2008 Cumulative Supplement by Bruce R. Hopkins

From the publisher: The Tax Law of Charitable Giving, Third Edition is completely revised, revamped, and updated. Written in plain English, it can help lawyers, managers, and development directors in tax-exempt organizations make sure they are up to date on all current regulations pertaining to charitable gifts, and that they are well prepared to make decisions about their organization’s fund-development program. Written by the country’s leading legal authority on tax-exempt organizations and charitable giving, this Third Edition features coverage of:

	New rules concerning charitable contributions of used vehicles and intellectual property
	New rules addressing the concepts of income and principal
	New characterization and ordering rules applicable to charitable remainder trusts
	Applying the public policy doctrine to the availability of the charitable deduction
	The impact of the tax cut legislation on the charitable giving rules

The Tax Law of Charitable Giving, Third Edition is a go-to resource for nonprofit lawyers, nonprofit accountants, fundraising professionals, nonprofit executives, directors and managers, nonprofit consultants, financial planners, insurance companies, and corporate and major donors.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

January 27 - February 2, 2008

Ask and You Shall Receive: A Fundraising Training Program for Religious Organizations and Projects Set by Kim Klein

From the publisher: Fundraising expert Kim Klein has trained thousands of groups and individuals to cultivate assets that make good works possible. The Ask and You Shall Receive training package is a do-it-yourself, start-to-finish program on jumpstarting fundraising efforts. A peer-led program designed for use with its companion Participant Manual, the Ask and You Shall Receive Leader Manual walks you through the most common fundraising scenarios with dependable information, methods, prompts, and preparation guidelines. Realistic time allowances keep the training within reach of busy volunteers.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

January 20 - 26, 2008

Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies by Paul R. Niven

The Balanced Scorecard is the leading methodology for implementing performance management systems and improving efficiency. Focusing directly on the public and not-for-profit sectors, this book helps these organizations overcome the unique challenges they face when implementing a Balanced Scorecard.

	Guides government and nonprofit organizations through the implementation of a performance management system using the Balanced Scorecard.
	Authors bring a wealth of implementation knowledge and experience to this book, leading to hands-on, practical guidance and tips to that ensure success.
	Identifies and tackles head-on the serious obstacles unique to the world of government and nonprofits in implementing the balanced scorecard methodology.
	Includes action plans to walk the reader through specific implementation challenges.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

January 13 - 19, 2008

Good Governance for Nonprofits: Developing Principles and Policies for an Effective Board by Fredric L. Laughlin and Robert C. Andringa

From the publisher: Good Governance for Nonprofits is a succinct but thorough guide that will help organizations develop a board that is legally and ethically responsible and effective in advancing their needs. The authors offer a clear process for creating a policies manual to help boards apply proven standards of governance or "attributes of excellence." Now even with limited resources, nonprofit leaders will learn how to:

	Eliminate redundant or outdated policies
	Add new policies more effectively
	Clearly guide the CEO and evaluate his or her performance
	Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations
	Understand why certain policies should be included
	Adapt the authors' templates to their specific needs

The authors are Fredric L. Laughlin, DBA, a former partner of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, now working as a partner with The Andringa Group, specializing in guidance for nonprofits and Robert C. Andringa, PH.D., Managing Partner of The Andringa Group, consulting to nonprofit boards and CEOs of international, national, and regional organizations. Andringa is the author of three previous books, including the Nonprofit Board Answer Book.  Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

January 6 - 12, 2008

ROI For Nonprofits: The New Key to Sustainability by T. Ralser

From the publisher: Explore the methods and processes to help nonprofits raise money in an environment that increasingly demands accountability, transparency, and results. The realities of today's economic environment have required that nonprofits, and those that raise money for them, make their case for support as strongly as possible. Warm and fuzzy appeals that tug at the heart strings have met with limited success. Assuming that funding targets intuitively know the value of the good work being done is unrealistic. The Key to Nonprofit Sustainability offers an abundance of pragmatic tips, tools, case studies, and techniques to make the process easy to understand and implement. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

December 30, 2007 - January 5, 2008

The Nonprofit Board Member's Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy by Marcia Avner and Kirsten Nielsen

From the publisher: The Nonprofit Board Member's Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy shows board members how to use their power and privilege to move their organization's work forward. The Nonprofit Board Member's Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy is second in a series of books on the topic from the Wilder Publishing Center. The first book, The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations, is aimed at nonprofit executives, managers, and lobbyists. Marcia Avner has more than 30 years influencing public policy. She is public policy director for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and assistant professor in nonprofit management at Hamline University. The book includes:

	Concepts, principles, and strategies specific to board members of 501 (c) 3 charities
	An eight-step process that enables boards to plan for advocacy to be proactive instead of reactive
	First-person success stories and from-the-field advice from board members across the U.S.
	Information about the laws that govern lobbying by nonprofits
	Detailed worksheets that lead readers through critical processes
	An appendix of lobbying tips and tactics

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com
 

To view 2007 Publications of the Week, click here.

To view 2006 Publications of the Week, click here.

To view 2005 Publications of the Week, click here.