The best professional development often comes from outside our immediate field. Here are books that have shaped my thinking about fundraising—even though most of them aren’t about fundraising at all.
On Psychology and Behavior
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman — The foundational text on behavioral economics. Essential for understanding donor decision-making.
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — Trauma-informed care isn’t just for direct service providers. This book changed how I think about workplace wellbeing.
On Relationships and Communication
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg — A framework for having difficult conversations with compassion and clarity.
- Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler — Practical tools for high-stakes discussions.
On Leadership and Organizations
- Good to Great and the Social Sectors by Jim Collins — A short monograph adapting Collins’ research for nonprofits.
- The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle — How the best teams build psychological safety and shared purpose.
On Writing and Communication
- On Writing Well by William Zinsser — Because fundraising is fundamentally about communication, and clear writing reflects clear thinking.
What would you add to this list? I’m always looking for new recommendations.
