Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector
Forward-thinking solutions to the foundational problems plaguing the world of modern nonprofits
Going where many dare not, Reimagining Nonprofit and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector challenges existing sacred cows across a variety of issues relevant to nonprofit and philanthropy. Each chapter delves into a specific area of work (fundraising, boards, hiring, and so on), analyzes the challenges, and provides concrete solutions for change.
Written by Vu Le, former nonprofit executive and thought-leader in the field, this book features leaders doing new things that go against the grain and is written in an easy-to-digest, oftentimes humorous tone. Readers will be left fired up, with their existing notions challenged, ready to flip over some tables and (figuratively) burn some systems down.
Le explores topics including:
- Scarcity, martyrdom, and learned helplessness, separating vision and mission, and “bizsplaining” to the corporate sector
- The folly of Robert’s Rules of Order and reimagining governance through evolutionary and minimally-viable boards
- New leadership decision-making models, shifting away from the hierarchical model into a more distributed one
Reimagining Nonprofit and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector is an essential read for all nonprofit leaders, professionals, and donors who are looking to completely reimagine the way nonprofits think, operate, and make an impact.
Reviews
“What would it be like to have a friendly, smart and funny unicorn come over and sit next to you and chat for a couple of hours about your life working in nonprofits? Vu Le is that unicorn and his book is full of fun and extremely on-target, pointed essays on grantwriting, budgets, burning bridges and more.”
Jan Masaoka, Co-Chair, Philanthropy Project
“Whether you have been in nonprofit for a day, a decade or a lifetime, this will push your thinking, offer new solutions, and remind you why we all love this hard work we do.”
Jane Leu, founder and board member of Smarter Good, co-author of Unicorns Unite: How Nonprofits and Foundations Can Build EPIC Partnership
“Vu has penned a blueprint for funders that is as practical as it is irreverent, as fiery as it is funny, and as critical as a parachute when we’ve fallen off a cliff. Which we have. In a time where nonsense and misinformation reigns supreme, Vu gives us the opposite: sense, clarity, and a vision for how to turn falling into flying.”
Pia Infante, Co-Executive Director, Trust-Based Philanthropy Project
