Brandraising: How Nonprofits Raise Visibility and Money Through Smart Communications

In the current economic climate, nonprofits need to focus on ways to stand out from the crowd, win charitable dollars, and survive the downturn. Effective, mission-focused communications can help organizations build strong identities, heightened reputations, and increased fundraising capability. Brandraising outlines a mission-driven approach to communications and marketing, specifically designed to boost fundraising efforts. This book pres tools and guidance for nonprofits seeking to transform their communications and marketing through smart positioning, branding, campaigns, and materials that leverage solid strategy and great creative, with a unique focus on the intersection of communications and fundraising.




Summary: Sound Advice for Nonprofit Leaders
Rating: 5

This is the book I wish I had written on how nonprofits can manage branding to help their organizations succeed! It should be required reading for all nonprofit professionals, regardless of job title, because it clearly and simply explains the importance of branding. Often a confounding subject for nonprofit leaders to master, the author makes the concept easy to understand and, more importantly, gives practical advice for how to manage a branding process. I have made this required reading for my nonprofit management graduate students, and will recommend it to our clients at Mission Minded as well.



Summary: A True Expert for Non-Profits
Rating: 5

There are many "experts" on branding and a fair number on non-profits. What Sarah brings to the table, though, is a true insider's perspective on marketing principles as applied to the non-profit world, and there are precious few of those experts.

Imagine interviewing Sarah and another expert on branding, and posing questions about what we need to know about branding as a non-profit. But then ask Sarah to rattle off several dozen principles of "brand-raising" as applied to non-profits, and you'll immediately get the idea that she's been a fly on the wall in your conference room, at committee meetings, and at fundraising brainstorming sessions you might have. Instantly you'll know that she knows what she's talking about.

I've seen Sarah in action and readers are lucky to be able to get inside her head even in this brief way.