Margot Jagger in CharityVillage.com , CharityVillage Library: Book Review. 2001

Thanks!...A Guide to Donor-Centered Fundraising
by Penelope Burk
Published by Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. 2001. 193 pages

Reviewed by Margot Jagger

This is the ultimate "how-to" book for any organization that is re-thinking how they communicate with and recognize donors. (And the book will make you realize that every organization should be in the process of re-thinking).

The donor centered philosophy, developed by Penelope Burk from years of experience in fundraising and four years of research with over 200 donors and charities, means that "the fundamental interests and sensibilities of donors are paramount in the design and delivery of all communications and recognition, whether written or in person." Fortunately, this book tells you what the fundamental interests and sensibilities of donors are.

This book will force organizations to review internal processes and how they affect external communications. For example, organizations will look at how long it takes to acknowledge a gift and what kind of information donors receive before the next solicitation. It shares the basics of how organizations can make communication valuable and recognition meaningful.

Through the interesting stories from actual donors to the tables of statistics and the author's personal commentary, this book is an easy and enjoyable read full of practical ideas and important "next steps"...

To order the book, please click here.