Asking: A 59-Minute Guide to Everything Board Members, Volunteers, and Staff Must Know to Secure the Gift Paperback – February 15, 2013

Jerold Panas has a winner here with "Asking." This is the third book of his I read, and in my opinion, it is the best out of the three I have read (I also read "Born to Raise" and "MegaGifts"). Panas makes it easy to understand how to ask for money, and it barely did take me over an hour to read. He gives great advice on how to set up appointments, talk to prospects,how to ask for money, and great suggestions for objections. I definitely recommend this book for anybody that is interested in fundraising. I am hoping to get into the industry and this book gave me a great introduction on how to ask for money. Get this book!

Great instructions from a seasoned professional. Very easy to ready. Boils down the job of raising money into a formula you can easily remember and apply. Confidence building in that the author describes the challenges all fundraisers face, so you don't feel like you're the only one who has a hard time with certain aspect of the job. Then he tells you clearly how to get past those challenges. The next 2 calls I made after reading the book were successful calls and I believe it was because I felt like I knew what I was doing. My only negative comment is that I think $15 is a little much for paperback this small...unless he's donating the revenue to a charity!

The book provides explicit, helpful suggestions with examples of the best methods for obtaining large charitable gifts. The book is easy to read and understand, but more importantly explains the rationale behind the techniques for approaching, meeting with and obtaining from a high-net worth individual large gifts. The techniques provided are applicable to anyone, regardless of position with an organization, who has the capacity to articulate the benefit the organization provides to the community and ultimately to the prospective donor.

I spent 4 years as the head of fundraising at a nonprofit in Chicago. When I took the job nearly ten years ago, I wasnt a good fundraiser. Now, I'm known around the windy city for being a thought leader in philanthropy. This book kickstarted my Board of Directors to engage our ambitious capital campaign we launched right after the 2007 recession. We ended up increasing our general operating and program budget 70% and raising every penny of our campaign goal within three years. This book played a big part in reframing our fundraising psychology. The problem with fundraising for most folks I know is that they cant verbally communicate the value proposition, often because they themselves do not see the value the nonprofit provides as translating to money. This book clears that up...QUICKLY. I love this book. Since that time. I've been a program officer and an overseas development consultant. I've carried this book around the world, recommending it to new fundraisers, corporate boards, and seasoned nonprofit execs. I will say that this book is geared more to people who are engaging in individual donor asks. This is not a good book for grantwriters...but there are plenty out there for grantwriting. I cant recommend this book more highly.

I'm in the early stages of building a non-profit enterprise. Beyond establishing a clear goal for the effort, the other key functions are building an effective board and getting money. Some folks have no trouble asking other people to donate for a worthy effort. Not me. I tend to stammer and often fail to fully articulate the needs we're attempting to meet. Whether you're gifted at soliciting funds or you're like me, this book is a very useful guide. And, it's a quick read. Though, I think it needs to be re-read a couple of times to instill the message(s) and the tools.

This book, a very quick and easy read, is perfect for nonprofit board members who are not sure they have what it takes to make the major ask. Step by step, it re-energizes and reassures. Panas is an incredible teacher and his books on fundraising actually help, unlike so many guides that are either too detailed or too off-putting.

Would I buy this book again? Yes, I suppose so. Would I resent paying the money? Definitely. Most of what is found in this tiny little book is available from other sources for free. It took me a while to spend any time with the book because I was so irritated by the size and what I found inside. The organization of the text and the step-by-step approach to fund raising is will written and digestible. The content is good, at times very good. It certainly boosts your confidence about contacting potential donors. I will keep it, I will refer to it occasionally, but I will always suspect that it was produced principally to be a fund raising tool for the author and the publisher.

I've read this book many times and given it away to dozens of volunteers and emerging fundraisers. Simple, pithy, entertaining and easy to digest. Panas speaks to the straight the heart of beliefs, fears and behaviors that drain the joy and passion we should feel when asking others to invest in shared passion around a common mission.

This book looks good. Recommended by a friend and I'm looking forward to reading it!

I have been a fundraiser for over 10 years and raised tens of millions in that time. I have read quite a few books on the subject but none are as straight forward and as comprehensive as Jerold's ASKING book. However, it is mis-named as I think it only took me 30 minutes to read it the first time.

Excellent - should be stocked in North America.

great book. everyone who ever raises money should read it!

This book is a tremendous resource for volunteers and new development staff