The Zen of Fundraising

If all that has ever been said and written about the art and science of fundraising could be distilled down to just what really matters-what fundraisers everywhere need to know-there would be only a small number of true gems deserving of the description, "nuggets of information.

Give your donors what they want Friend-make before you fundraise Open hearts and minds, then wallets Turn complaints into support Plagiarize creatively These are just a few of the 89 timeless principles Ken Burnett offers readers in The Zen of Fundraising, an engaging guide to the care and feeding of donors. Burnett offers readers sound advice and invaluable information on how to connect with their donors and raise money for their organizations. Free from unnecessary padding and extraneous information, this is a short and sweet guide to the most important things fundraisers need to know. While Burnetts foundational book "Relationship Fundraising speaks primarily to the high-level development director, The Zen of Fundraising speaks to anyone who wants to raise money for a cause he or she cares about. Its a one-of-a-kind look into what makes donors tick andmore importantlywhat makes them give.

Introduction vii
All You Really Need to Know About Donor Relationship Development
Chapter One Playing Smart and Preparing for Action 1
The Trouble with Fundraising; Plus 15 Things I'd Do If I Were the New Head of Donor Development
Chapter Two Right from the Start 35
10 Concepts That Will Ensure Your Thinking is Sound
Chapter Three Keep Revisiting the Basics 61
19 Gold Nuggets: The Solid Foundations of Fundraising
Chapter Four Getting Your Messages Spot On: Appreciated, Understood, and Remembered 83
14 Keys to Communications That Reach In and Grab Audiences
Chapter Five What's Essential? 109
12 Important Things to Think of When Relating to Your Donors
Chapter Six What Underpins It All? 127
6 Vital Characteristics of the Effective Relationship Fundraiser
Chapter Seven What's Next? 135
13 Things That Will Be Coming Your Way

Acknowledgments 159
When It Comes to Saying Thank You, This Book Practices What It Preaches
About the Author 163