Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Ask - How to Ask for Support for Your Nonprofit Cause, Creative Project, or Business Venture by Laura Fredricks

From time to time I am contacted and asked to review books and other materials from other nonprofit consultants, and I am more than happy to do so. I can honestly say that I always learn something new, and it is good to hear other perspectives on topics you know are important to the nonprofit arena.

Laura Fredricks, JD www.laura-fredricks.com is a New York based fundraising consultant as well as a motivational speaker and best-selling author. Her latest book is titled: The Ask - How to Ask for Support for Your Nonprofit Cause, Creative Project, or Business Venture. Before opening up her own boutique consulting firm for nonprofits and businesses Laura served as Vice President for Philanthropy at Pace University in New York where she helped raise $92 million in six years.

Her newest books is a fast and easy read which quickly delves into unpacking the steps in great detail on how to not only ask for money for your nonprofit cause but also how to apply those same skills in asking for something for yourself, like a job promotion.

A key point Laura raises at the beginning of this book is asking you the reader to step back and search inside yourself to reveal:

"What does money mean to you?" "Asking for money and raising money is all psychology, emotions, and past experiences you have had with money." Likewise this process does not end here but you also have to know how the person you are about to ask feels about money as well.

This book is broken down into ten chapters with each chapter building on the previous information you read. Chapters also have exercises to help you thoroughly think through the process. You will also find helpful summary statements to keep your mind focused on key points. As an added bonus after you purchase this book you are given web access to a downloadable resource file that has additional helpful information.

Overall I think Ms. Fredricks did an excellent job giving the reader a detailed roadmap for success in making the ask and getting the results!

No comments: