Are you the head fundraiser?

Yours for the Asking: An Indispensible Guide to Fundraising and M anagement by Reynold Levy.

I try to read a few books a year on fundraising. I am not the chief fundraiser for our organization but I need to pull my weight. And face it, everyone is really about raising money. Whether you call it sales or business development in the for-profit world, or fundraising in the not for profit world.

My part 1 of this review is to help set context. I liked the book but just so you know where it comes from – a little background.

1.Levy is the President of Lincoln Center in New York. A big time charitable enterprise which he has led to great heights. Most of his other experiences are from that New York charity culture as well. Nothing wrong withthat, it just isn’t always translatable.

2. While the subtitle has the word “Management” in it, it’s really about fundraising.

3. I would say that I found the book to be 60% inspirational and 40% practical. And I think that is the right mix for this type of book. The key for most sales, business development and fundraisers is keeping a positive outlook and attitude. And Levy has some great, for real stories as well as some humorous tidbits he uses with prospective donors that are fun.

4. Before he joined LincolnCenter he was Director of International Relief Committee which works with refugees across the world. So he knows not only the culture crowd but also the poor of the world. It is a good balance.

5. While the chapters are a little scattered and jump around a bit, it is a good read for CEOs and Chief development officers.

Part 2 of my review will have some practical tips from the book.

Dave Travis

Managing Director of Leadership Network