Books | The University Advancement Blog

4 Mar

Book review: The Story Factor

In 2010 Chas Grundy, a marketing and fundraising professional at the University of Notre Dame, told me about the book The Story Factor. Chas is a great colleague; he shares excellent content via Non-Profit Chas and grundyhome.com, and we both serve on...
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12 Jan

2012 resolution: fewer meetings, fewer bad meetings

I don’t recall the who, what, when, or where. I just remember the response. Someone a few months ago asked me what I do at the university, and my eight-year-old daughter quickly piped up, “He just goes to meetings all...
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20 Dec

Book recommendations

I believe strongly in the value of books as a professional development tool. In our unit (External Affairs), we have our own “book club.” Each semester – fall and spring – I provide a book for our directors to read,...
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31 Oct

5 questions with Elizabeth Scarborough

I have the pleasure of serving on the CASE Indiana board (CASE Indiana is one of only a few state chapters of CASE in the country), and I am very excited about our upcoming fall conference on November 11, at...
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5 Sep

5 questions with Penelope Burk

As I’ve stated before, every advancement officer should read Penelope Burk’s Donor-Centered Fundraising. The book is the only statistically-based research ever published on the effect of meaningful communication on donor retention and gift value. Author, trainer, presenter, and president of...
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30 Jun

Send them on a cruise: How to deal with your predecessor

I recently attended a retirement dinner for Doug Bennett, who steps down this week as president of Earlham College after 14 years of exemplary leadership. (President Bennett has one of the most eclectic and insightful blogs, The Observatory, of any...
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18 Feb

5 questions with Robert Moore

During the past seven months, I have twice had the fortune of hearing Dr. Robert Moore speak at conferences. Rob is President and CEO of Lipman Hearne and author of The Real U: Building Brands That Resonate with Students, Faculty,...
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7 Feb

Book review: The First 120 Days: What a College President Must Do To Succeed

If you’re in development, then you’re likely familiar with Dr. Jerold Panas. Two of his books – Asking and Mega Gifts – should be on any fundraiser’s short list. His latest book, The First 120 Days: What a New College...
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5 Jan

5 questions with Chuck Loring

I recently presented at the AFP Indiana Conference (Association of Fundraising Professionals), and my session (“Changing Organizational Culture to Embrace the Social Web”) was outdrawn by a concurrent one titled “Creating a Dynamic Board that Can Fundraise.” Anything dealing with...
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28 Dec

Reflections on 2010

I’m wrapping up year one of the University Advancement Blog, and I hope it’s proven to be a resource for you. I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for my institution and for our team to...
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The University Advancement Blog

Rob Zinkan's thoughts and recommended readings on university advancement

Category Archives: Books