Relationship Fundraising: A Donor Based Approach to the Business of Raising Money

Find a more modern book on development so your reading is actually worthwhile in 2022

I had to read parts of this book for a college course. I knew from the first paragraph that I wasn't going to get much out of it. The book is written in a pompous way and the author spends too much time talking about himself. There is valuable info here, but you can find much better and more up to date books and articles online that go over the same information and that share other valuable advice.

“Relationship Fundraising” is everything that fundraisers, old and new, will benefit from. It also helps that the masterful author is none other than one of the OGs of fundraising. My first brush with the book was at the 2008 International Workshop for Resource Mobilisation in KL, Malaysia. This book has remained a bible for me when it comes to all things donor relationship. Donors are not cash machines - the book drives this point home. I won’t add any spoilers - if you’re looking for classic tips on how to build lasting relationships with your donor, look no further. Highly recommend!

I found this book to be honest about fundraising, motivating and with great ideas and experience to further the business of fundraising

Quite a bit of emphasis on how fundraising works in the UK versus the US. Has some good suggestions that are relevant in the US. Very conversational tone and quite inspiring for a fundraising book. How relevant this is to the content of the CFRE exam, I don't know.

Love it!

I thought this was a wonderful book. It includes 14 chapters and a glossary. Although I'm not sure the glossary added to the book. I don't view the book to be a complete treatise on nonprofit fundraising, but the author says he did not expect it to be. There is no coverage of special events, grant proposals, volunteers, or local fundraising activities. What this book talks about, and does it well, is nonprofits and their development arms need to approach donors with mutual consideration, thoughtfulness, and appreciation.The world has gotten competitive. And nonprofit fundraising exists in an environment where technology and aggressive marketing tactics are the norm in how to do business. This book points out that technology and aggressive marketing have the potential to undermine the trust and confidence that are so important to effective fundraising. Fundraisers who understand that fundraising is about "building relationships" will not be obsessed with fundraising techniques and formulas. Instead, they will merely practice the art of fundraising that is all about building relationships.This book was first written in the early 1990s and made a substantial contribution to the UK fundraising community's library of tomes on how to practice fundraising. It presents a basic approach to fundraising that is time tested and works. Now, in the 21st century, the author has updated his book by incorporating his answers to questions he has received about the first edition, and by adding some new thoughts he has on the subject. The material covered in this book is important; everyone involved in fundraising for nonprofits should understand what is covered in this book and take that understanding with them when they do their work as fundraisers.I would have liked the book better if there had been one more chapter included. The author is critical of technology and aggressive marketing tactics. But he doesn't provide his view as to how technology and marketing tactics should be used specifically. I think the book would benefit with a chapter that would cover some of these specifics. In my humble opinion, technology and marketing tactics are still very important and critical to fundraising success. It's just how they can be used so donors are trusting of nonprofits that could have been better explained.This book was an easy read. Each chapter is followed by a summary called "action points." And I liked this feature. I also liked very much the summary of the book provided at page xxii of the book's Preface. At the end of the book is a lengthy bibliography. Many good books are included in that list, and the reader will probably want to search some of them out for further reading. 5 stars!

[NB: Get the 2002 revised edition] We should all listen to Ken Burnett and what he has to say. He has listened hard for years: to donors; people stricken with and striving against hardship; professionals in the office and the people working boots-on-ground, and he knows whereof he speaks. The subject of  Relationship Fundraising: A Donor Based Approach to the Business of Raising Money  is fundraising, but its ideas are applicable to corporate governance, public relations, customer satisfaction, social work, politics, parenting, marketing... It is a guide to more effectively relating to and understanding our place in a Humane world. It is both "how-to" and "why we should" - clearly illustrating, in a refreshingly personal style, the good idea it is to consider the perspective of our clients: the Contributors who give so much to our lives.Rather than duplicate the other reviews that list the chapter details of this work, I simply want to encourage you to go ahead, risk the purchase of this and Ken's "The ZEN of Fundraising" The Zen of Fundraising: 89 Timeless Ideas to Strengthen and Develop Your Donor Relationships . If you have a heart and a brain, you will benefit significantly. And as you practice living with Ken's thoughts as a companion, the World will be a better place. Yes, he's that good.GregRobin Smith.

Highly recommend

Comletely as advertised - very pleased

In another of his books, 'The Zen of Fundraising' Ken's first nugget of advice to any fundraiser is to get hold of the best books on fundraising.'Relationship Fundraising' should be at the top of that list.This book should be the compulsory manuel used by fundraisers today. Everybody uses the terminology of 'relationship' fundraising, but very few are capable of putting it into practice.This book makes clear the 'why' and simplifies the 'how' in an engaging, entertaining style that makes for compelling reading.

Great Book