We’ve been asked over the years, particularly by business people who want to move “into the nonprofit world”, what the sector is really like. And we’ve been surprised by how many people already working in the sector know so little about its size, structure and special characteristics. Below are books and articles that we have found helpful and regularly recommend to those with a serious interest in the sector who are also old-fashioned enough to believe in reading.
Strategic Giving: The Art and Science of Philanthropy
A Gift Observed: Reflections on Philanthropy and Civilization
Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better
Giving Done Right: Effective Philanthropy and Making Every Dollar Count
Handbook of Research on Nonprofit Economics and Management
The Nonprofit Sector: A Research Handbook
Nonprofits and Government: Collaboration and Conflict
The Board Book: An Insider’s Guide for Directors and Trustees
Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards
The Foundation: A Great American Secret
Managing the Nonprofit Organization: Principles and Practices
How The Other Sector Survives: Lessons in Non-Profit Management
Leap of Reason: Managing to Outcomes in an Era of Scarcity
Trust in Numbers The Pursuit of Objectivity in Science and Public Life
Heuristics and Biases in Charity
Sympathy and callousness: The impact of deliberative thought on donations
Unpacking the Impact in Impact Investing
Down the Rabbit Hole? Impact Investing and Large Foundations
Program Related Investments (Center for High Impact Philanthropy)