Donor Relations Reading List 2020

To start the year, we've compiled a list of books, blogs, and podcasts—recommended by our members—to jump-start your professional development in 2020.

Have you recently (or not so recently) encountered a book, article, podcast, or other resource that you found relevant to your work in stewardship and donor relations? We want to hear about it and share it! Tweet us your picks @ADRPtweets.

Happy reading and listening!

Books

Donor-Centered Fundraising by Penelope Burk

“Penelope Burk’s book changed the way I look at donor relations and stewardship. Some of the advice aligned with the direction I already wanted to take, but it was awesome to have statistics, facts and research to back up my ideas so I could present them to leadership. It helped validate my direction and the importance of my work. Our shop is implementing some of my suggestions now based off her research so I will report back on how they pan out.” - Krystina Wales, Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship, GBMC HealthCare

“It’s like the DR Bible!” - Cheryl Smith Lintner, Executive Director of Donor Relations, Meridian Health Foundation

The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath
Recommended by Eliza McNulty, Director of Donor Relations, Stanford University and Ryan Steele, KSU Foundation

Relationship Fundraising by Ken Burnett

“Burnett was one of the first to identify that we each have in our quiver all the tools we need to be good fundraisers; essentially, he fathered Donor Relations.” - Roberta O’Hara, Associate Vice President for Donor Relations, Rutgers University Foundation

A Simple Act of Gratitude by John Kralik
Recommended by Cheryl Smith Lintner, Executive Director of Donor Relations, Meridian Health Foundation

There is No Good Card for This: What To Say And Do When Life Is Scary, Awful, And Unfair To People You Love by Emily McDowell and Kelsey Crowe

“It’s excellent for our line of work as well as for working on our own personal emotional intelligence.” - Kara Schnabel, Associate Director of Development, Donor Relations, UCSD

Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain

“This was very insightful for me both on a professional and personal level.” - Antoinette Cobb, Development Coordinator, Stewardship and Donor Relations, University of Southern California

BONUS: Check out Susan Cain’s powerful TED Talk.

New Fred by Fred Knowles

“This is a great book for anyone who has ‘been at it’ (‘it’ being work) and is thinking that a change might be in order. Fred Knowles was the head of human resources for Under Armour when he took another look at his life, his career, his passions, and decided maybe it was time to step back and rethink what he wanted to be doing. - Roberta O’Hara, Associate Vice President for Donor Relations, Rutgers University Foundation

Engagement Fundraising: How to raise more money for less in the 21st century by Gregory Warner

“Warner, the CEO and Founder of MarketSmart and creator of the SmartIdeas blog/email, puts the science behind what donor relations professionals have been advocating for a very long time. In fact, I think he’s the next Penelope Burk of the fundraising field—surveys and all. Greg has developed a new fundraising approach that ignores the pyramid model we’ve all become accustomed to using. He says it is illogical and that our engagement efforts should be targeted to donors at all giving levels. He uses a funnel model that takes into account ‘The Consideration Continuum’ of an individual’s philanthropy. He also includes a new staffing model for engagement fundraising success. It is fascinating material that I have been sharing through a presentation (one in Miami and hopefully one at the SEDRC in April), and I highly recommend him.” - Daphne Powell, Director of Donor Relations, Birmingham-Southern College

Blogs/Emails

Donor Relations Guru

“Her website/blog is incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and accessible. It used to be just Lynne Wester, a very experienced donor relations professional in her own right, but she has amassed an expert team that gives different perspectives on all things donor relations. Her webinars are also great and the team is really interactive during the presentations. They are all very knowledgeable and experienced, while also remaining down-to-earth and community-oriented.” - Krystina Wales, Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship, GBMC HealthCare

Burk’s Blog

Recommended post: Just Do It? No. In Fundraising, You Have to Do It Right
Recommended by Cheryl Smith Lintner, Executive Director of Donor Relations, Meridian Health Foundation

Seth Godin’s Daily Blog

Recommended posts: Things unknown (12/31/19) and Priorities (1/4/20)

“It isn’t Stewardship/Donor Relations specific, but it addresses doing good work, has provided me with gems for inspiration and motivation, focuses on people, and often has given me pause for thought and made me approach my work in new ways. I won’t say every post is applicable, but I do consider it one of my prime sources of professional development. I find these short and sweet posts helpful in taking a moment to think about the work I do and make meaningful choices, rather than simply reacting all the time to the endless supply of work that we all have.” - Monica Tang, Associate Director, Stewardship, The University of British Columbia

Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review
Recommended by Eliza McNulty, Director of Donor Relations, Stanford University

5 Metrics Every Development Director Should Know by Page Piccinini
Recommended by Cheryl Smith Lintner, Executive Director of Donor Relations, Meridian Health Foundation

Podcasts

Happier by Gretchen Rubin

“It’s a bit along the lines of ‘life hacks’ but has a lot to do with organization, achieving goals by recognizing your personality type and how accountability figures in, etc. Many members of my team have taken her personality quiz and it’s helped me as a manager.” - Alissa Stallings, Director of Donor Relations (Fundraising Communications and Client Retention), UCSF

The Fundraising Talent Podcast by Jason Lewis

“Lewis interviews all kinds of fundraising professionals about the industry and their careers. He has even interviewed some familiar names from ADRP.” - Jordan Wilkins, Development and Donor Relations Manager, North Carolina State University's College of Natural Resources