Everyone is familiar with the "Dummies" series of books, with coverage of subjects ranging from dating to Unix. But who might be interested in Fundraising for Dummies? Some potential readers are those considering fundraising as a profession, development staff in a one-person shop, volunteers, and others who need a broad, basic overview of fundraising techniques in a practical, straightforward way. In easy-to-understand language laced with humor, Fundraising for Dummies uses the same format and features as the other titles in the Dummies series: use of icons to highlight and delineate the text, cartoons, sidebars, and the "cheat sheet" to summarize major points.

The five sections of Fundraising for Dummies illustrate how to prepare, implement, and evaluate a fundraising plan — a tall order that is handled respectfully. Part one, "Gearing up to Raise Funds," explains the steps to get ready to raise funds including creating a case statement and developing a board of directors. This section includes an informative chapter on fundraising ethics that clarifies common fundraising myths. Part two, "Getting to Know Your Donor," details the importance of donor research and includes a section on cultivating major gifts. One chapter of special note in section two disputes the fears surrounding asking for money and outlines in detail "the ask" in a clear, concise way. Part three describes fundraising tools including direct mail and telemarketing as well as fundraising on the Internet. This section also includes a chapter on proposal writing and prospect research. Part four explains different campaigns —— the annual campaign, special event, capital campaign, major gifts, and planned gifts. Mutz and Murray even make predictions about fundraising's future noting that government may increase its regulation of nonprofits and that e-giving will grow. Finally, part five includes a section found in many books in the "Dummies" series —— lists of ten's —v from "ten best opening lines" to "ten ethical dilemmas." The book also includes expansive appendices with checklists and tips for organizing a successful fundraising plan.

Although Fundraising for Dummies is packed with valuable information it cannot help but skim the surface. The book presents tried-and-true techniques while the field itself is embracing newer technology. In the various resource lists, one notices a lack of electronic and Internet-based research tools, which are increasingly popular in the prospect-research field, to name one. Author John Mutz, with extensive fundraising experience as past president of the Lilly Endowment and co-founder of the Indiana Donor's Alliance, adds credibility to this book of conventional fundraising approaches.

Fundraising for Dummies does not need to be read from cover to cover —— a real plus. Seasoned fundraisers will find the book too elementary, but novices may feel Fundraising for Dummies is worthwhile to keep on the shelf and refer to as needed. Although it provides a good jumping point for developing a fundraising plan, fundraisers should not limit themselves to just this one resource on the topic.

For citations to additional literature on this topic, refer to the Literature of the Nonprofit Sector Online, using the subject terms "Fundraising — handbooks, manuals, etc."