Nonprofits’ behind-the-scenes fundraising functions–information systems, development technologies, research, managing prospects, and stewardship–not only support an organizations’ overall development efforts but also are key to long-term success.A first-of-its-kind resource, Conducting a Successful Development Services Program draws together in one book a tremendous body of knowledge on planning and managing an innovative and effective development services program… More >>
Conducting a Successful Development Services Program
The Jossey-Bass series has a good reputation, as does Kent Dove. But this book is a huge disappointment. It is billed as an indispensable aid for practitioners and a textbook for students, but it serves neither set of readers well. Practitioners looking for solid advice and good examples to illustrate principles in action find nothing of the sort. And pity the poor student who has to slog through this to pass a course. This is an uninspiring, tendentious, tedious exercise in making the elegantly simple art of fundraising appear to be some arcane mystery that only the likes of a long-time practitioner like Kent Dove can master.
Most people are intimidated enough about asking for money, they don’t need to be scared/shamed out of the field by reading this kind of mumbo jumbo that makes them feel stupid or inadequate.
The book has a few good tables and nuggets of useful information, but not enough to justify a [money] price tag. I’m glad I borrowed this from the library to preview it before buying — it saved me the effort of returning it.
Rating: 1 / 5