Marion K. Ringe, CFRE in Advancing Philanthropy
Vol 9, No. 3, 2002

Thanks!...A Guide to Donor-Centered Fundraising
by Penelope Burk
(Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. 2000, 193 pages, paperback)

As I read the final word on the last page of Thanks!... A Guide to Donor-Centered Fundraising, my heartfelt reaction was "What a terrific book!" Although specifically related to Canadian philanthropy (hence the spelling of centered, which is driving my spellcheck crazy), the fundraising philosophy Burk describes is as universal as the concept of philanthropy itself. The book is terrific for four reasons:

• It's fascinating and fun to read.
• Every major point is thoroughly backed up analytically and anecdotally.
• It shows the reader the "how" in addition to the "why".
• The author's expertise and sincerity shine out on every page.

Many nonprofits fall critically short in sharing what donors say they want most: information about how their gifts are being used. "Fundraising is not the art of asking but the art of communicating that includes asking," Burk says, and donor-centered fundraising focuses on the "fundamental interests and sensibilities of donors". That makes so much sense that this book belongs in every development office. A U.S. edition, based on a parallel research study currently under way on donor communication and recognition in the United States, will be out in about a year. If you can't wait, by all means get a head start by ordering the Canadian edition, now in its second printing.

To order the book, please click here.