Lisa, I had earlier emailed you, though I don't have a copy, about my book, Functional and Funded, and you had indicated you'd get a copy. I was suggesting that my book was something of a counterpart to yours written from the perspective of the those seeking out donors.
Correspondingly, I purchased your book, and what follows is the review I just posted with Amazon. I'm including it here, not knowing whether Amazon will publish it, because I purchased your book at my local independent bookstore. (Someone who reviewed my book had her entry denied because she hadn't bought the book from Amazon.)
"My copy of Lisa Geer's book, written with Larissa Kostoff, is a study in usefulness, already dog-eared and orange underlined. I got my hands on it as a regular reader of her Philanthropy 451 email series - and as someone as interested as she is in change, having spent much of my working life among people within nonprofit organizations. I had just finished Winner Take All by Anand Giridharadas and so my susceptibility to the notion of sector change was already keen. And she kept it sharp for me. The Chapter Headings alone should be enough to pique the Interest of any reader: Philanthropy Is In Trouble; Donors and Their Motives; Fake Friends And Unequal Power; Money Talks; Investing Beyond The Dollar; What Money Can't Buy; Good Communication; Events For A New Era; Giving Thanks And Saving Giving. The implied focus on challenging the status quo is what makes the innards of the book so down-to-earth illuminating. As for specifics, her take on the good, bad & ugly of Donor Advised Funds alone is enough to make this book required reading for anyone who in any way seeks to help a nonprofit organization sustain itself and stay the course. And, the section that details how someone seeking funds role-play being a donor should be required reading for every last soul who's ever struggled to make the case for a nonprofit to receive funding. When I was actively conducting workshops for grant seekers and fundraisers I often carried around recommended resources for attendees in addition to my own. Had it been available then, Philanthropy Revolution would have been an essential component. Let me finish with my favorite quote from her book: "Wouldn't it be great to get to a place where organizations trust donors enough to be transparent, and donors trust organizations enough to let them lead? That place is where we realize that we want the same thing: organizations that are as effective as they are visionary, and outcomes that change the world. As an advocate for grassroots nonprofits in these difficult times, I heartily concur."
I read with interest that someone has stepped up and apparently purchased your book to distribute to nonprofits. I've been trying to get grant makers to do just that with my book to no avail. I'll keep plugging away.
If you do get the time to read my book, I'll appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, what have you. Thanks for your fine and needed work.
Lisa, after all the self-induced tumult, my review of your book is up and running on Amazon.
Lisa, I am mortified that I misspelled your name. My bad. Perhaps that's part of the problem. I'll try again this time with the correct spelling.
Just to confirm - Amazon declined to post my review.
Lisa, I had earlier emailed you, though I don't have a copy, about my book, Functional and Funded, and you had indicated you'd get a copy. I was suggesting that my book was something of a counterpart to yours written from the perspective of the those seeking out donors.
Correspondingly, I purchased your book, and what follows is the review I just posted with Amazon. I'm including it here, not knowing whether Amazon will publish it, because I purchased your book at my local independent bookstore. (Someone who reviewed my book had her entry denied because she hadn't bought the book from Amazon.)
"My copy of Lisa Geer's book, written with Larissa Kostoff, is a study in usefulness, already dog-eared and orange underlined. I got my hands on it as a regular reader of her Philanthropy 451 email series - and as someone as interested as she is in change, having spent much of my working life among people within nonprofit organizations. I had just finished Winner Take All by Anand Giridharadas and so my susceptibility to the notion of sector change was already keen. And she kept it sharp for me. The Chapter Headings alone should be enough to pique the Interest of any reader: Philanthropy Is In Trouble; Donors and Their Motives; Fake Friends And Unequal Power; Money Talks; Investing Beyond The Dollar; What Money Can't Buy; Good Communication; Events For A New Era; Giving Thanks And Saving Giving. The implied focus on challenging the status quo is what makes the innards of the book so down-to-earth illuminating. As for specifics, her take on the good, bad & ugly of Donor Advised Funds alone is enough to make this book required reading for anyone who in any way seeks to help a nonprofit organization sustain itself and stay the course. And, the section that details how someone seeking funds role-play being a donor should be required reading for every last soul who's ever struggled to make the case for a nonprofit to receive funding. When I was actively conducting workshops for grant seekers and fundraisers I often carried around recommended resources for attendees in addition to my own. Had it been available then, Philanthropy Revolution would have been an essential component. Let me finish with my favorite quote from her book: "Wouldn't it be great to get to a place where organizations trust donors enough to be transparent, and donors trust organizations enough to let them lead? That place is where we realize that we want the same thing: organizations that are as effective as they are visionary, and outcomes that change the world. As an advocate for grassroots nonprofits in these difficult times, I heartily concur."
I read with interest that someone has stepped up and apparently purchased your book to distribute to nonprofits. I've been trying to get grant makers to do just that with my book to no avail. I'll keep plugging away.
If you do get the time to read my book, I'll appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, what have you. Thanks for your fine and needed work.
A BIG congratulations, Lisa! Thank you for doing this important work!