Best Fundraising and Grant Writing Books for Nonprofits

Recommended Reading

These are the best fundraising books and best grant writing books that we recommend for those looking to improve their fundraising or grant writing skills.

Best Practices

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	Best Practices for Fundraising Success: Diversifying Giving Channels by Katya Andresen
	Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits by Leslie Crutchfield
	Fundraising Basics: A Complete Guide by Barbara L. Ciconte
	What Your Donors Want...and Why! by Tom Ahern

Board Development

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	Fundraising Mistakes that Bedevil All Boards (And Staff Too) by Kay Sprinkel Grace
	Joan Garry's Guide to Nonprofit Leadership: Because Nonprofits Are Messy by Joan Garry
	Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards by Richard T. Ingram
	The Fundraiser's Measuring Stick: Sizing Up the Attributes Board Members, Volunteers, and Staff Must Cultivate to Secure Major Gifts by Jerold Panas
	The Ultimate Board Member's Book: A 1-Hour Guide to Understanding and Fulfilling Your Role and Responsibilities by Kay Sprinkel Grace
	Transform Your Board Into a Fundraising Force: The Essentials You Need to Know by Kay Sprinkel Grace

Donor Communications

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	Content Marketing for Nonprofits: A Communications Map for Engaging Your Community, Becoming a Favorite Cause, and Raising More Money by Kivi Leroux Miller
	Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! by Lynne Truss
	How to Turn Your Words Into Money: The Master Fundraiser's Guide to Persuasive Writing by Jeff Brooks
	How to Write Fundraising Materials That Raise More Money: The Art, the Science, the Secrets by Tom Ahern
	Nonprofit Marketing Guide by Kivi Leroux Miller
	Seeing Through a Donor's Eyes: How to Make a Persuasive Case for Everything from Your Annual Drive to Your Planned Giving Program to Your Capital Campaign by Tom Ahern

Donor Retention

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	Donor Care: How to Keep Donors Coming Back after the First Gift by John Haydon
	Keep Your Donors: The Guide to Better Communications & Stronger Relationships by Tom Ahern and Simone Joyaux
	Relationship Fundraising: A Donor Based Approach to the Business of Raising Money by Ken Burnett
	Retention Fundraising: The New Art and Science of Keeping Your Donors for Life by Roger M. Craver

Fundraising

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	Beyond Fundraising: New Strategies for Nonprofit Innovation and Investment by Kay Sprinkel Grace
	Creative Deviations: How you can infuse your storytelling, fundraising and direct response with more creativity by John Lepp
	Donor-Centered Fundraising by Penelope Burk
	How To Love Your Donors (To Death) by Stephen Pidgeon
	How to Raise $500 to $5000 from Almost Anyone: A 1-hour Guide for Board Members, Volunteers, and Staff by Andy Robinson
	How to Write Successful Fundraising Appeals by Mal Warwick
	Iceberg Philanthropy by Fraser Green
	Mega Gifts by Jerold Panas
	The 4 Pillars of the Donor Experience by Lynne M. Wester
	The Fundraiser's Guide to Irresistible Communications: Real-World, Field-tested Strategies for Raising More Money by Jeff Brooks
	The Solid Gold Mailbox: How to Create Winning Mail-Order Campaigns by Walter H. Weintz

Grant Writing

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	Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals by Susan Howlett
	Grant Writing For Dummies by Beverly A. Browning
	The Grantseeker's Guide to Winning Proposals by Foundation Center
	The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need by Ellen Karsh

Tools You Can Use

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	All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things by Robert Fulghum
	Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
	How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
	Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

Featured Blog Post

"Let's Talk Nonprofit" is a blog by Third Sector Consulting that addresses common questions that nonprofits have. Ready? Great! Let's Talk Nonprofit.

Fundraising vs Grant Writing Whats Right For My Nonprofit

The start of the new year is the perfect time for you to think about your nonprofit's fundraising objectives and strategies. Do you need to raise money? Of course! Should you be writing grants? Maybe. Grants are just one piece of the funding puzzle, and they aren't the only way for your nonprofit to bring in money. Learn how grant writing can fit in your broader development plan. (read more)

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Recommended Reading

Featured Blog Post

Fundraising vs. Grant Writing: What's Right For My Nonprofit?