How Effective Nonprofits Work

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How Effective Nonprofits Work:
A Guide for Donors, Board Members and Foundation Officers
by Marcia Festen and Marianne Philbin

Published by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers’ New Ventures in Philanthropy Initiative and Donors Forum of Chicago

How Effective Nonprofits Work provides an easy-to-understand introduction to how effective nonprofits operate, geared to donors and new staff, board members and grantmakers. Beginning with the basics of the nonprofit sector, the book progresses to essentials such as assessing nonprofits' effectiveness; the roles of staff, boards and donors; and the importance of fund raising and preparation for the future. The book is infused with lessons learned, including the centrality of funding operating costs, the importance of understanding the financial situations of nonprofits, and the importance of continually developing human, financial and technological resources to keep nonprofits efficient and secure.

The 100-page book blends practical information along with the analytical perspectives of its authors and other experts in an easy-to-scan format filled with charts, bullets and lists. Quick takes on nonprofit strategies, structures and best practices are interspersed with short essays, with special emphasis placed on the importance of educating donors by providing them the means to give with their hearts as well as their heads.

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