You’ve found our list of useful books for nonprofits.
nonprofit books are guides that teach readers how to start and manage philanthropy effectively. These works cover topics such as fundraising, leadership best practices, legal and tax structures, and ways to market the mission. the purpose of these books is to help nonprofits become more organized and maximize impact.
You are reading: Non profit organizations books
These works are similar to business books, office management books, and human resources books.
this list includes:
- marketing books for nonprofits
- operations books for nonprofits
- fundraising books for nonprofits
- books on starting a nonprofit
- nonprofit management books
- nonprofit leadership books
here we go!
list of non-profit books
From nonprofit fundraising books to board member manuals, here’s a list of guides to help maximize social impact.
1. the networked nonprofit: connecting with social media to drive change by beth kantor
The Networking Nonprofit is one of the best marketing books for nonprofits. This handy guide teaches readers how to leverage social media to build relationships, spread awareness, and ultimately secure more funding and support. The book explains how organizers can use social platforms to deliver important messages, spark interest in the cause, and spur action. networking nonprofit is part digital marketing tutorial, part social media activism masterclass.
Notable Quote: “A constant in life is that human beings want and need to connect with each other in meaningful ways. These connections are made through social networks, which are the conduits of conversations that promote social change. the job of nonprofits is to catalyze and manage those conversations.”
buy the non-profit organization online.
2. the only grant writing book you’ll ever need by ellen karsh
The only grant writing book you’ll ever need is one of the most popular nonprofit fundraising books. This guide explains the different types of grants and donors, the proposal process, and the application requirements. The author also dispels common myths and misconceptions about grants and provides readers with accurate expectations for applying. The second half of the book breaks down the writing process into simple steps and provides tips for increasing your chances of receiving funding. True to its name, the only grant writing book you’ll ever need provides the most comprehensive advice on how to get grants and turns readers into expert writers.
Notable Quote: “Submitting a poorly thought out, poorly developed, and poorly written proposal is sometimes the most detrimental thing you can do to your prospects in the long run.”
Buy the only grant writing book you’ll ever need.
3. Nonprofit Kit for Dummies by Stan Hutton and Frances N. phillips
The Nonprofit Beginners Kit is one of the most useful nonprofit trading books. This guide is an encyclopedia of philanthropy that covers topics such as mission statements, tax exemptions, financial forecasting, promotion, hiring and recruiting volunteers, and adapting to change. The book lays out strategies for every circumstance and defines all nonprofit terms in plain language. The Nonprofit Beginners Kit is a complete crash course in launching and running a philanthropic organization and can turn a novice into a nonprofit expert in no time.
Notable Quote: “You should always start with a plan, but that doesn’t mean plans shouldn’t be changed when the situation calls for it. circumstances change; flexibility and adaptability are good traits to nurture if you’re running a nonprofit.”
Buy a non-profit starter kit.
4. Managing to Change the World: The Nonprofit Manager’s Guide to Results by Alison Green and Jerry Hauser
This guide is one of the best nonprofit management books. Managing to Change the World teaches leadership strategies and team management skills to managers in the nonprofit sector. The book lays out tactics for attracting and retaining talent, providing performance reviews, developing a healthy company culture, and finding a balance between authority and empathy. Managing to Change the World offers basic management advice along with specific advice geared toward the nonprofit sector. this book is ideal for any philanthropist who wants to become a better boss.
notable quote: “by being clear about what you expect, helping people meet their expectations, making sure people are in roles they excel at, and getting everyone aligned on around a common purpose, build the morale of your staff in the long run.treating people well also turns out to be the best way to maintain long-term results, because otherwise you will never get good people to work for you.”
shop how to manage to change the world and check out more management books.
5. forces for good: the six practices of high-impact nonprofits by leslie crutchfield
forces for good is a playbook for building a high-performing nonprofit organization. The book identifies six patterns and practices that make organizations successful, such as fostering nonprofit networks and sharing leadership tasks. The authors use examples and case studies from some of the nation’s best-known and most successful nonprofits, such as Habitat for Humanity and Heritage Foundation. forces for good shows nonprofit leaders how to create meaningful social change and achieve sustained results.
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notable quote: “too many people still act as if the private sector and the non-profit sector should operate on opposite sides of an impenetrable wall, where one is about making money and the other about serve society. A better approach is to take the best of all worlds and integrate these missions: businesses can be “not just for profit” and social service organizations can learn from best practices in the business sector, including leveraging capital to maximize scalability and sustainability”. /p>
buy strength for good.
6. start something that matters by blake mycoskie
Starting Something That Matters is one of the most interesting books on starting nonprofits. This memoir tells the story of Blake Mycoskie, founder of Toms, the company that popularized the “buy one, we’ll donate one” business model. The book does not deal exclusively with non-profit organizations, but rather encourages aspiring difference makers across the board to initiate projects that do social good. Blake Mycoskie insists that the key to finding fulfillment at work is to undertake endeavors that you are passionate about and that have an impact on others. The book teaches readers how to build a narrative, be resourceful and adaptable, and build trust and relationships with supporters—all skills that are vital to the nonprofit sector. Starting something that matters blurs the line between the corporate and philanthropic worlds and encourages members of any sector to be business savvy and generous.
Notable Quote: “No matter how convenient it is for us to communicate with people remotely, sometimes the most important task is showing up in person.”
buy start something that matters.
7. joan garry’s guide to nonprofit leadership: because the world is counting on you by joan garry
This book is one of the best-selling nonprofit leadership books. Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership shows organization heads how to make a compelling case, find harmony among board members, empower staff, and navigate crises. Joan Garry outlines the unique challenges of nonprofit leadership and provides guidance on how to get results, earn respect, and achieve the organization’s vision. this latest edition of the book has been updated to address recent global events like the pandemic, and looks at how leaders can respond to environmental changes while still delivering on the organization’s vision.
Notable Quote: “In the nonprofit sector, a leader is beholden to broad and diverse stakeholders…the bottom line matters, of course, but just to make sure that has enough resources to work in the service of your mission.”
buy joan garry’s guide to nonprofit leadership.
8. fundraising for social change by kim klein
Funding for Social Change is a textbook that teaches readers strategies for obtaining financial support for nonprofit organizations. The book covers all the ins and outs of finding money for organizational missions. for example, by diversifying donor bases, leveraging endowments and reserves, crafting compelling appeals, and using multi-channel fundraising approaches. The textbook also delves into concepts such as budgeting, working with fundraising consultants, and navigating ethical dilemmas for donors. fundraising for social change covers the basics of nonprofit funding in great detail and is a valuable resource for any organization looking to start raising money or change the typical fundraising routine.
Notable quote: “Not asking what kinds of funding streams are more mission-compliant is at the root of many of our social problems.”
shop fundraising for social change.
9. the little book of boards: a handbook for board members for small (and very small) nonprofits by eric hanberg
the little meeting book is one of the best nonprofit books for small organizations. The book functions as a primer for first-time board members unfamiliar with the many nuances of running an organization. This resource describes the roles of board members and various specific positions, meeting protocols, responsibilities outside of meetings, committee structures, and techniques for building a strong board. the meeting book can help organizations to create or renew the operational structure and form a more agile and efficient management system.
Notable Quote: “Board members of small nonprofits are often highly committed to the work of the organization, often out of necessity. they may even be essential to its ongoing work and operation, forming the core of a group of volunteers and doing the real work of the nonprofit.”
buy the table booklet.
10. Start a 501c3 Nonprofit That Won’t Ruin Your Life: How to Legally Structure Your Nonprofit to Avoid the I.R.S. problems, lawsuits, financial scandals & more!
Start a 501c3 Nonprofit That Doesn’t Ruin Your Life is a basic guide to the legal and business structural aspects of nonprofits. The guide addresses topics such as following proper IRS protocols, trademarks, avoiding liability and lawsuits, taxes, and creating a board. The book structures the information into digestible, indexed chapters that are easy to refer to as needed. Starting a 501c3 nonprofit that doesn’t ruin your life is the definitive guide to the bureaucratic side of philanthropy.
Notable Quote: “Almost everyone at some point has felt a sense of disappointment upon hearing the news and learning of yet another non-profit scandal. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be your story. there are many successful non-profit organizations that have been able to operate and enjoy a good reputation without being reproached.”
Buy a 501c3 nonprofit that won’t ruin your life.
11. Social Startup Success: How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale, and Make a Difference by kathleen kelly janus
The Success of a Social Startup is one of the most helpful books on starting a nonprofit. After surveying hundreds of the most successful philanthropic organizations, Kathleen Kelly Janus outlines five top strategies for achieving high growth and financial stability:
- test ideas
- measure impact
- fund experimentation
- lead collaboratively
- tell compelling stories
The book provides examples and instructions for each strategy and covers concepts such as funding experimentation, data best practices, collaborative leadership, and narrative mastery. the success of a social startup provides a model for creating a startup-like nonprofit that makes big changes quickly and achieves longevity.
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Notable Quote: “For some organizations, a small budget is enough to sustain their operations and make a big impact. scaling revenue is also not necessarily the same as scaling impact; an organization can be very good at raising money with programs that don’t really make a significant difference. but many organizations that have the potential to do a lot more good by scaling, and that are trying to grow faster, are blocked.”
buy the success of a social startup.
12. hbr’s 10 must-reads on nonprofits and the social sectors from harvard business review
hbr’s 10 must-reads on nonprofits is an anthology of the publication’s most thought-provoking pieces on philanthropy. The collection covers areas such as choosing an addressable problem, measuring the impact of ideas and outreach, and appropriate care for communities in need. The book contains management guru Peter Drucker’s essay “What Businesses Can Learn From Nonprofits” as well as interviews with influential humanitarians like Desmond Tutu and Salman Khan.
Notable Quote: “Most nonprofits operating today make program decisions based on a mission rather than a strategy…acting without a clear strategy in the long term it can expand the core capabilities of an agency and propel it forward. in unwanted directions.”
shop hbr’s 10 must-reads on nonprofits and the social sectors.
13. the happy and healthy nonprofit: strategies for impact without burnout by beth kante and aliza sherman
Burnout is an epidemic in the nonprofit sector. Driven by a mission, nonprofit leaders and team members often strive to serve the cause at all times. The Happy & Healthy Nonprofit is a handbook for avoiding compassion fatigue and employee turnover in nonprofits. The book outlines the signs and causes of burnout, prescribes strategies for self-care, and provides recommendations on how to create a culture that prioritizes and is proactive about employee wellness.
Notable quote: “An organization may be mission-driven, but its people are mission critical.”
shop happy and healthy nonprofit.
14. robots are bad for fundraising: how nonprofits can keep heart in the digital age by steven shattuck
robots make bad fundraisers is one of the most useful books on fundraising for nonprofit organizations. technology has made it easier than ever to reach potential donors; however, automating fundraising through tools and apps may not be the most effective strategy. nonprofit funding still requires connection and a human touch. Steven Shattuck argues that modern tools should be a complement to traditional fundraising methods, not a replacement for them. robots make bad fundraisers explores topics like donor management software, search engine optimization, email marketing, and social media, and shows ways nonprofits can optimize these channels to send more effective communications. warm and organic that generate more support for the organization.
Notable quote: “Technology works best when it enables the creation of relationships, rather than taking their place.”
buying robots is bad for fundraising.
final thoughts
People tend to start nonprofits with honest intentions and dreams of changing the world, but are often unaware of the finer points of running a philanthropy effectively. the nonprofit world can be chaotic. organizations often struggle and struggle constantly to find funding, and responding to disasters can add an extra sense of urgency. The world is full of needs, and philanthropic leaders may feel there isn’t enough time or funds to adequately address pressing issues. however, reading these guides can help nonprofit employees better structure the organization and create strategies to achieve maximum impact with modest resources.
Check out this list of virtual fundraising ideas and this guide to volunteering online below.
We also have a list of the best business finance books.
frequently asked questions: non-profit books
here are answers to common questions about nonprofit books.
what are non-profit books?
Nonprofit books are guides that describe how to start, run, manage, and grow philanthropic organizations. These jobs cover topics like fundraising, financial planning, leadership, and management.
what are the best books on nonprofit organizations?
The best books on nonprofits include The Only Grant Writing Book You’ll Ever Need by Ellen Karsh, HBR’s 10 Must-Reads on Nonprofits and the Social Sectors, and Harvard Business Review’s Guide to Nonprofits. joan garry for joan garry’s nonprofit leadership.
what are some good nonprofit books for small organizations?
Some good nonprofit books for small organizations include Eric Hanberg’s Little Board Book, Beth Kanter and Aliza Sherman’s Happy and Healthy Nonprofit, and Stanton’s Nonprofit Kit for Dummies. Hutton and Frances N. phillips.
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