It’s a new year and a new decade. Perhaps this energized you to create a long list of resolutions? Or maybe you’re more like me and didn’t create a list at all.
Though I don’t have a list, I do hope to improve in one area: making time for more work-related reading. If you’re nodding in agreement, then keep reading to find out which books your fellow nonprofit professionals recommend.
From time to time, I put a call out on social media, asking @philanthropy followers which books they are reading by authors other than themselves. Here’s the list of responses to my latest post. Thanks to all who chimed in.
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker. Parker draws on years of experience facilitating meetings of powerful people around the globe. She explains why we need to rethink the way we organize gatherings of all kinds from meetings to dinner parties and reorient them to the people who attend. Thanks @MSStengel for this recommendation.
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, by David W. Blight. Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in History. Thanks to @rustystahl for the recommendation and this preview:
Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization, by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey. The authors explain how human nature, individual beliefs, and organizational culture can prevent change, even when we know it is in our (or our nonprofit’s) best interest. Includes diagnostic tools and case studies. Thanks, @jenny_a_jones.
Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better, by Rob Reich. The author argues that philanthropy is an exercise in power masquerading as goodness and questions society’s acceptance of the conversion of private assets into public influence. Thanks to @AubrieFennecken.
Managing the Nonprofit Organization, by Peter Drucker. First published in 1990, this book is written by a man many consider the father of modern business management. The volume includes examples and explanations of common nonprofit management concepts such as mission, leadership, and goal setting as well as interviews with nine experts. Thank you, @DrSabineJung for sharing this.
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Nonprofit Industrial Complex, written by nonprofit professionals, activists, and educators. The essays criticize nonprofits for hampering social change rather than advancing it and suggest ways to transform nonprofits and means for achieving social justice outside of them. Revised edition published in 2017. Thanks for the suggestion, @ManuMultaniMPH.
Additional Comments
Thanks to Barbara O’Reilly for pointing out this extensive list of fundraising books compiled by Lisa Sargant for the Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration, known as Sofii.
From Johannesburg, South Africa, @ZA_SocialImpact shares that she isn’t currently reading books because she’s diving into research reports instead. A hearty soul!
John Thompson offered some interesting food for thought in this tweet, and thanks to James Bishop for offering guidance.
Do you agree with his approach? Want to share additional recommendations? Comment below.
Margie Fleming Glennon produces the Chronicle’s professional-development webinar series and is editor of its resource library, a collection of more than 1,000 articles and tools to help nonprofit professionals succeed on the job. She has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit communications and public affairs including serving as communications director at national and international nonprofits. Email Margie or follow her on Twitter.
