Fundraising Bright Spots
Strategies and Inspiration from Social Change Organizations Raising Money From Individual Donors
A research report from the Resetting Development project, which grew out of the UnderDeveloped study of nonprofit fundraising. It tells the stories of social change organisations that raise steady money from individual donors. It is for nonprofit leaders, boards and fundraising staff. Readers use the cases to rethink who owns fundraising in their organisation. A 2017 companion, Fundraising Bright Spots in Action, follows programme participants as they change their approach.
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How to cite
CompassPoint Nonprofit Services (2016). Fundraising Bright Spots: Strategies and Inspiration from Social Change Organizations Raising Money From Individual Donors. https://www.compasspoint.org/node/366
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Fundraising for Social Change
A 496-page how-to handbook for small and mid-sized nonprofits that want to build a broad base of individual donors, written with racial, economic and climate justice groups in mind. It covers fundraising infrastructure, hiring a development director, working with consultants and coaches, budgeting and planning, and handling financial trouble. Spotlight sections carry reflections from working fundraisers. Teachers get a free instructor's manual and online extras.
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Change the Game Academy
A free online learning platform for community-based organisations that want to raise money and support from their own communities. It has 2 self-paced courses. Local Fundraising covers proposal writing, fundraising communication and donor relations. Mobilising Support covers winning commitment from stakeholders and decision makers, lobbying, social accountability and communication. Users create an account and follow the courses at any time. A Green version for groups managing natural resources launched in 2025.
CurrentKey online resourceFree with sign-up - 8.1C202
Fundraising for Success
A short guide from INTRAC's Common Ground Initiative for small and diaspora NGOs that have little time, staff or fundraising experience. It explains why fundraising needs a strategy, and how a small organisation can plan where its money will come from, who will raise it and how. It is part of a series of guides for small NGOs that includes one on governance.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 4.1C041
Coaching and Philanthropy: An Action Guide for Nonprofits
A guide for nonprofit leaders who are thinking about coaching. It draws on 3 years of data from the Coaching and Philanthropy Project, gathered from coached leaders, coaches, intermediaries and funders. Sections explain what coaching is, what it yields for leaders and organisations, common barriers and when to use it. A practical part covers readiness, finding and selecting a coach, running the engagement, paying for it and checking results. Case examples close the guide.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree
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