The Essence of Strategic Giving ─ A Practical Guide for Donors and Fundraisers

In the face of global financial problems and stressed government budgets, the ability of private philanthropy to step in and help solve public problems---and support vital private institutions as well---has perhaps never been more important. But how can donors be sure their contributions will be effective? And how can fundraisers make their case for support in a way that is compelling and productive? With The Essence of Strategic Giving, Peter Frumkin distills the lessons of his comprehensive, award-winning study, Strategic Giving, into a concise, practical guide for everyone involved in private philanthropy, from donors to managers of nonprofits to fundraisers. He defines five critical challenges that all donors must address if their philanthropy is to amount to more than indiscriminate charity, including being aware of the time frame that guides a gift, specifying the intended impact being pursued, and recognizing how a donation fits with a donor's own identity and style. Acknowledging and understanding these fundamental, strategic aspects of giving, Frumkin argues, will help ensure philanthropy that more effectively achieves its aims---and at the same time builds a lasting relationship between donors and the Institutions they support.

"Peter Frumkin has long been one of our leading big picture thinkers in the world of philanthropy. In this terrific short book, Frumkin marries his vision of great philanthropy---strategic giving---with myriad real-world case studies. It is Frumkin at this best: pushing our thinking forward and speaking to donors of all kinds, individual and institutional, large and small. If you want to give money away wisely, read this wise book." Rob Reich, Faculty Co-Director, Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, Stanford University

"Peter Frumkin has done a great service to many would-be philanthropists by distilling the concepts he offered in Strategic Giving into a concise guide for action." Christine W. Letts, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

"Frumkin kept the protein and chucked the carbs from Strategic Giving. The result is a slimmed-down hunk of philanthropic wisdom. No question: In this case less is more and better." Edward Skloot, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University

"Frumkin's book is impressive in its scale and depth. It contains something for every type of reader---seasoned scholars of the field, old and new practitioners, and those who want to begin an education about issues of philanthropy....A major contribution to the field. With it, Frumkin develops a theoretical framework from which we can all learn." Andrew Rich, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

Peter Frumkin is professor of public affairs at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and director of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, both at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of On Being Nonprofit and Strategic Giving and coauthor of Serving Country and Community.