All industries, regardless of type, have their own recommended reading lists. books can vary from person to person, but in general there are a few that stand out as critical writings that impart knowledge in the field.
The world of nonprofits is no different. From general readings on leadership and entrepreneurship to industry-specific texts, these books form a crucial cornerstone in understanding how nonprofits work and their motivation in trying to achieve their goals.
You are reading: Non profit management books
To help nonprofit employees better understand the building blocks of their industry, 12 members of the Forbes Nonprofit Council share some of their personal favorite books and their relevance to professionals in the field.
1. the networked non-profit organization
The book “The Networked Nonprofit: Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change” by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine is a true eye-opener on how nonprofits need to market in the digital age. our organization is a very old charity and i found this book to be very interesting reading. It made me realize how old-fashioned my organization was in its marketing and social media campaigns. – elizabeth disco-shearer, disaster services corp, svdp-usa
2. dare to lead
“dare to lead” by brene brown is an excellent book for nonprofit employees at all levels of an organization. they are all ambassadors in a non-profit organization, where trust is paramount. This book breaks down the core pieces of trust, giving the reader the ability to create spaces for kind and safe conversations. this is crucial in the nonprofit space, where the joys and sorrows are in constant flux. – kellyann romanych, veterans legal institute
3. business chemistry
I recommend “Business Chemistry: Practical Magic for Creating Powerful Work Relationships” by Kim Christfort and Suzanne Vickberg. A representative from Deloitte came to the organization to lead our monthly team training. that month’s theme was business chemistry. Learning business chemistry not only helps an organization’s staff, board members, and volunteers, but also uses science to improve the art of relationships with customers, community, donors, etc. – Anisa Palmer, I Will Survive, Inc.
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4. the power of moments
“The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath transformed the way we celebrate both the benefactor and the contributor in our organization. it has inspired some ideas that are simple to implement and also some more complex ideas. Best of all, our conversations around this book have reaffirmed our compassion for the people we serve and our love for the people who donate to make our work happen. be prepared to implement the ideas coming from your team. – c.h. dyer, bright hope
5. lean start-up
Startups are a lot like nonprofits: They make a big impact with limited resources. Learning some of the build-measure-learn principles espoused by “The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Reiss will help nonprofit leaders learn to deliver , optimize and scale the way successful startups do. – deboshree dutta, women in product | PayPal
6. the little book of gold
I read “The Little Golden Book: Fundraising for Small (and Very Small) Nonprofits” by Erik Hanberg and found it very helpful in starting a nonprofit, including how to handle every aspect of your operations. this is ideal for newcomers and smaller nonprofits. – Gloria Horsley, Open to Hope
7. the principle of progress
i recommend that all nonprofit employees read “the principle of progress: using small wins to spark joy, engagement, and creativity at work” by teresa amabile and steven kramer. Because of our grand missions, progress within nonprofits can seem slow. It is important to acknowledge progress and for leadership to intentionally focus on improving internal work life and removing obstacles to progress. – Elizabeth Kumbhari, Cultural Views, Inc.
8. changing the world without losing your mind
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I recommend “Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind: Leadership Lessons from Three Decades of Social Entrepreneurship” by Alex Counts, with guidance on mission-driven leadership and how to get through tough times. offers some of the best fundraising advice I’ve ever seen, including how to get in the right mindset for a successful “application.” – rupert scofield, international estate
9. who moved my cheese?
“who took my cheese?” by spencer johnson he’s an oldie, but hey. This fictional story of Hem and Haw is an entertaining and insightful look at how people (or mice, if you will) handle change. processes, people, products, services, and policies change over time. a lot of time is wasted with people complaining about change instead of accepting it. – Kimberly Lewis, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc.
10. emerging strategy
“Emerging Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds” by adrienne maree brown has provided me with a set of practices, tools, and wisdom for building our organizational and community resources in a fair way. it is my go-to resource and I find hope and nourishment in its words every time I take it. – kristine sloan, starting block
11. radical frankness
The work that nonprofits do is urgent; We come to work every day with bold goals to make today’s world a better place and foster a safe and peaceful planet for future generations. “radical candor: be an amazing boss without losing your humanity” by kim scott gives us a framework to have real conversations that keep the mission at the forefront and inspire others to do their best in the good work we do every day . – Laura Deaton, Multiplier
12. call sign chaos
“call sign chaos: learning to lead”, the new book by jim mattis and bing west, is wonderful. The authors encourage leaders to be learners, build great teams, and be willing to fail. his recognition of the will to fail is a great skill. They live what they believe in, maintaining a library of several thousand books: learning never stops. Lastly, they help identify the type of team that is critical to the growth of a charity. – patrick coleman, delivery center
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