Fundraising for Social Change
Before I get into today’s blog post, I want to lament what happened in Buffalo, NY this past weekend. Yet again, a mass shooting. Yet again, targeting people of color. Ten precious lives lost. I know that you mourn too. But it can’t just stop at mourning. Our congregations must start stepping out and speaking up against White supremacy and Christian nationalism. Write, march, read, hold prayer services. Do something more than just feel bad. You will be empowered and your actions will let our BIPOC brothers and sisters know that they are not alone. As the National Holocaust Museum declares: What you do matters.
Now…on to today’s post:
One of my very favorite people in the fundraising world is Kim Klein. I was on the board of a local homeless shelter way back in the early 90s. The Executive Director kept referring to this book that was his secular Bible: Fundraising for Social Change (I believe it was the first edition) written by none other than Kim Klein. Thus, thankfully, Kim entered my world.
She has been featured in this blog a couple of times – most notably, her interview published on March 11, 2020…oh yes, the week the world shut down. If you missed the post because you were hunkering down with your first COVID mask in your basement, please take a look at it here. It’s well worth your time.
So, you can imagine how excited I was to receive a copy of the eighth (eighth!) edition of Fundraising for Social Change. For anyone who is interested in development (and you must be or you wouldn’t be reading this blog), this is the handbook and resource you need.
Through the first seven editions of Fundraising for Social Change, Kim was the book’s sole author. This time, she is the co-author with Stan Yogi, who, like Kim, is a practitioner in the field. Both come with decades of experience.
As Kim and Stan say, this is a “how to” book. And, it’s written for organizations (and churches) that have a budget of $2,500,000 or less. This means that this volume is directed to smaller non-profits and not at hospitals or universities or large national organizations who have enormous budgets. From what I know of my readers, it’s most likely written with you in mind.
Fundraising for Social Change is a classic resource if you’re just starting out and are trying to learn how to raise money and are completely overwhelmed. And it’s for those of you who need a jump start or a push in a new direction toward your stewardship/fundraising goals.
In Fundraising for Social Change, you’ll learn how to:
Create a fundraising philosophy
Get comfortable with asking (and we’re talking about asking for money)
Ask (for money)
Start a legacy giving program
Set up an endowment
Raise money for capital
Answer the perennial question of “clean” and “dirty” money
Raise money in rural communities
In addition, there are dozens of downloadable articles that you can access. One other plus: this book takes into account cultural differences that many other fundraising books ignore.
Yes, it’s all that and more.
Here’s the hard news: the book costs $60. I know that seems like a lot. But, please see this as an investment in your important work. I can almost guarantee that if you take the time to read and implement just a fraction of what Kim Klein and Stan Yogi suggest – you will make that $60 up in no time.
It’s time to get Fundraising for Social Change on your desk, ready to pick up and refer to on a moment’s notice. You’ll be glad that it’s there. I know I am.
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous non-profit organizations. She encourages you to listen to Edmonds UMC’s version of “We Will Make No Peace.” Beautiful and compelling, especially this week. You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/inspiringgenerosity or at CesieScheuermann.com.
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