What do you mean, campaigning fundraising?

Fundraising above all is about the change charities and their supporters want to see in this world. So, in referring to this activity merely as fundraising we made a basic big mistake, a mistake we’ve paid dearly for and are still paying for, so should rectify once and for all... People don’t give for things to remain as they are – they give to see change, always. So campaigning fundraising it has to be.

Reviews of The Essence of Campaigning Fundraising

"I ordered a copy of this new book as soon as I heard about it...a new Ken Burnett is always a necessary addition to my bookshelf! I love how Ken's work is so accessible and useful to practitioners and also, food for thought for scholars."

- Dr. Beth Breeze, Director, Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent, UK.

 "This book does not deserve a place on your shelf. It deserves to be open on your desk in a place of practical use, as a campaigning fundraiser who wants to do and be better: dog-eared, marked-up, pages flagged for future world-changing projects. The links and exhibits contained here transformed the way I do my work as a fundraising copywriter (and continue to do so). May they likewise transform the work you do to make this world a better place by giving your donors the chance to be the generous, compassionate, caring people they are – as deeply committed as you are to making this world a better place for us all. Use this book daily. I know I will".

- Lisa Sargent, campaigning fundraising copywriter, USA.

 "I love this book, I love its spirit and I think the fundraising sector will love it too. Campaigning Fundraising captures the work of fundraisers eloquently and accurately. The book and its objects will be very encouraging for those looking to join the sector, equipping them to take a donor-centred approach and tell their supporters the right stories in the right way at the right time."

- Ryan Burdock, associate director - fundraising, Prospectus, London, UK.

 "Thirty years ago, Ken Burnett rescued donors by putting them in the centre. In this new book, Ken rescues fundraisers by showing them they are campaigners. They don’t raise funds. They work with donors yearning to make their world more just, more educated, more healthy, greener. Precious donors who, guided by campaigning fundraisers, want to be inspired, angered, impassioned and given a chance to be heroes. This book, filled with powerful examples accompanied by Ken’s sharp wit and profound insights, is a treasure."

- David Love, author and leading environmental campaigning fundraiser, Canada.

 "Thank God I got to the letterbox before the dog did yesterday because this treasure was waiting for me on the doormat.

Ken changed the face of fundraising in Britain with his book about Relationship Fundraising 30ish years ago, waving the donor's shoes at us and telling us that if we want to inspire people to help change the world, we've got to stand in their shoes and see the world from there.

Like that book, this new one is brimming with practical examples of transformational fundraising you can borrow from straight away, and QR codes taking you to all kinds of fundraising communications. It's a dip-into book, as well as a good read.

We saw what happened a few years ago when some fundraisers turned into something resembling a factory farming. And it's been brilliant to see how real relationship fundraising has returned in response, not just in lip service but in full-fat life with fundraisers going so much further to treat their supporters like partners.

This book takes a step onward. A reminder that fundraising is about giving people opportunities to create the changes they want to see around them, as well as about asking for money respectfully. Campaigning fundraising.

- Karin Weatherup

Tanya Jackson's review on SOFII.org

David Love's review on The Agitator

ISBN 978-0-9553993-7-4 The White Lion Press
208 pages soft cover