Fundraising Week Bonus Post: 4th of July Book Recommendation

Happy Independence Day! Anyone who knows me knows that my love of history is right up there with my love of the arts. I can’t make sense of the present without understanding the background and the path to how we got here.

That’s why I had to start with history at the beginning of writing my upcoming book on fundraising, written with Jackson Cooper. I had a general sense of the history of philanthropy in the United States throughout my education and work in nonprofits, but reading Philanthropy in America by Oliver Zunz, an in depth look at the history of 20th- century philanthropy, filled in the gaps. It helped me better understand the fundraising practices that shaped the nonprofit sector as we know it, and the politics we are subject to as we navigate the 21st century of fundraising.

America has a tradition of philanthropy and fundraising unlike any other country. As I wrote in an earlier post, the generosity of Americans is astounding and humbling. Zunz’s book expanded my understanding of how philanthropy is deeply embedded in our culture. But the fact that the basic needs of so many low income Americans people depends on private generosity rather than public policy protecting them is not how I wish our society was arranged.

So on this, our 249th Independence Day, I recommend Philanthropy in America as a starting point to learn more about the history of giving in the U.S., and as a prompt to reflect on what it means to create a more perfect union.

Enjoy your hot dogs, fireworks, cake decorated with strawberries and blueberries to make our flag – and make a donation to a cause you care about.