Trust, Impact, and Fundraising for Nonprofits

"Trust is the primary currency that enables the charitable sector to exist. Ken Phillips reminds us of the need for charities to demonstrate trustworthiness. This is perhaps more critical now than ever before. We are experiencing historically low numbers of people donating to charities. If this is to change charity leaders would do well to consider the themes in this book."

– H. Art Taylor, President & Chief Executive Officer, BBB Wise Giving Alliance

"Based on decades of practical, hands-on success with international charities, Ken Phillips sets forth in this book detailed prescriptions for nonprofit organizations to build greater trust from donors, increased impact for beneficiaries, expanded achievement of mission, and achieve more fundraising success."

– Renowned fundraising consultant Roger M. Craver, Editor, The Agitator, U.S.A.

"Trust in people, purpose, and performance is fundamental to establish and maintain relationships between donors and NGOs, and is therefore a primary currency for all nonprofits. Ken’s book, enlivened with personal stories and case studies, will help you build trust and enhance your impact."

– James Magowan, Coordinating Director, European Community Foundation Initiative, E.U.

"Today trust and impact are the corner stones of fundraising and without them the whole fundraising house will tumble. Indeed, I cannot recommend this book too highly as it deals explicitly and brilliantly with both these key issues."

– John Baguley, Owner, International Fundraising Consultancy (IFC), U.K.

"The importance of trust, impact, learning, and accountability of NGOs cannot be overstated. In this edition of his civil society series, Ken Phillips shares knowledge, reflection, and tools from his half-century of professional experience, underlining the role of values, ethics, learning, and the vital role of evaluation for continuous improvement and impact to enhance organizations’ achievements and increase donor support. He shares case studies and practical experience from his decades-long career, reminding how accountability through leadership, transparency, and communication are core in these efforts. A readable resource for practitioners at all levels of organizations."

– Abby Maxman, President and CEO, Oxfam America

"I’m impressed with the topics Ken Phillips is addressing. Certainly, there is need to improve the performance and impact of NGOs, both the smaller ones and the big ones."

– Jim Rugh, Founder of RealWorld Evaluation, former Head of Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation for Accountability and Learning for CARE International, U.S.A.

"Ken, you are an unwavering advocate of ethics in every organization – including government. I am grateful for your leadership in the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention Ethics Committee. As revealed here, your vision shaped what became the most powerful Ethics Commission in the country."

– Phil West, former Executive Director, Common Cause Rhode Island

"It is essential that NGOs have the capabilities and operational policies to document and communicate that they work in an ethical manner and deliver the results they promise. Ken Phillips take the mystery out of these complex expectations for NGOs and provides a step-by-step guide to increase organizational success with increased funding and a more effective organization."

– Rebecca Morley, Principal, Rebecca Morley Consulting, former director, Health Impact Project, Pew Charitable Trusts, and former executive director, National Center for Healthy Housing