What we turn to for inspiration

Veritus Group

Laurie loves the Veritus Group (https://veritusgroup.com/) and wishes that she wrote every one of their blogs. Whether your organization is big or small their advice to Major Gift Officers is relevant to your nonprofit. Sign up ASAP!

Seth Godin's Blog

Seth Godin's Blog has daily insights that inspire, move, educate and motivate its readers.  A favorite is his blog about money called, aptly, Your Story About Money. Check it out.

Robert Sutton

Widely considered one of the great leaders in organizational management, Bob Sutton, http://bobsutton.typepad.com, is author of “Scaling Up Excellence,” “Weird Ideas That Work,” “Fact-Based Management,” “The Knowing-Doing Gap,” and his NY Times bestseller “The No Asshole Rule.” His articles and recommended reading are excellent resources for curious management minds and leaders.

“The Generosity Network”
by Jennifer McCrae and Jeffrey Walker

This book gives great ideas of how to build a strong network of individuals partnering together for your cause. Their Jeffersonian Dinner is a winning event model that has been done by a number of RAINMAKER clients with great success.

“Switch: How to Make Change when Change is Hard”
by Chip & Dan Heath

This book is very useful in trying to figure out how to to make personal or organizational change. There are many great ideas to inspire and motivate.

“Made to Stick”
by Chip and Dan Heath

This book builds on the research about what makes things “sticky” or memorable, including viral videos, jokes, and urban myths. We use this to propose a new way of thinking about nonprofit storytelling.

“The Soul of Money”
by Lynne Twist

Lynne’s book is a wonderful framework for building a Culture of Philanthropy. Addressing and reframing our cultural conversations about money, this book is a great tool to fall back in love with fundraising.

“The Three Laws of Performance”
By Dave Logan and Steve Zaffron

This is a powerful read for individuals who want to influence change within their organizations. Executive leaders, board members and others who want to use their voice for positive change will find useful tools. Their discussion guide http://zampellagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/three_laws__discussions.pdf is particularly helpful for facilitators.

“Managing to Change the World”
by Alison Green & Jerry Hauser

“Robin Hood Was Right: A Guide to Giving Your Money for Social Change”
by Chuck Collins, Pam Rogers and Joan Garner

“Raising More Money: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Lifelong Donors”
by Terry Axelrod

• Nonprofit AF - The Fun and Frustration of Nonprofit Life
• A Goodman Online: Good ideas for good causes
• Building Movement Project: Inspiring Activism in the Nonprofit Community
• Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts
• Bolder Giving In Extraordinary Times
• Board Source
• Bridgespan
• Compasspoint
• Center For High Impact Philanthropy

• The Optimist Daily
• Yes Magazine. Powerful Ideas, Practical Actions
• Positive Psychology News Daily

• Blue Avocado: practical, provocative and fun food-for-thought for nonprofits
• Contributions Magazine: "how-to" source for nonprofit professionals
• Grass Roots Institute for Fundraising Training
• The Nonprofit Times: The Leading Business Publication for Nonprofit Management
• Nonprofit Quarterly

Sam Daley-Harris - Poverty, Purpose, Pitfalls, and Redemption

Simon Sinek – How Great Leaders Inspire Action