Wiley PT Press Room

“Reynold Levy is a master at persuading people to give money—lots of money—to worthy causes. Now he shares his wisdom with us all—and at a bargain price!” —Tom Brokaw, Interim Moderator of NBC Meet the Press, former anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News

“Ren Levy is the master of his trade. He can squeeze big dollars out of a stone and he tells here just how to do it. Anyone raising money for a good cause must read this book!” —John C. Whitehead, former Co-Chairman and Senior Partner of Goldman Sachs

September 3, 2008—Almost every American makes charitable donations. In 2007 alone, Americans gave $306 billion to charity—this sum represents 2.3% of the average pre-tax income of Americans and 80% of all households. For each of the last five years, Americans contributed more to their favorite organizations than they saved for themselves. Yet, giving is not a spontaneous act. People donate because they are asked to do so. It is a puzzle that, while the act of giving to nonprofit institutions is hardly unusual, the art of asking seems so universally disliked, misunderstood, and disdained. YOURS FOR THE ASKING (John Wiley & Sons; $29.95; September 2008) is a how-to guide for anyone wishing to improve the effectiveness of his or her fundraising. It explains in easy to understand language how to reach wealthy people face to face, in writing, in large groups, at special events, and over the Internet.

Author and President of Lincoln Center, Reynold Levy has led the effort to raise over 1 billion dollars in six years, among many other notable fundraising distinctions. “YOURS FOR THE ASKING has been written for anyone who wishes to overcome the fear of asking friends and strangers for money,” said Levy. “It is designed for those who wish to improve the effectiveness of their fundraising, and it is motivated by the conviction that orders of magnitude more charitable funds are available to prevent and cure disease, eliminate poverty, expand education and relieve the misery of the bottom billion human beings who find themselves seemingly fated to occupy the lowest rung of the economic ladder.” YOURS FOR THE ASKING works to solve the mystery of fundraising from foundations that seem to house experts in closing doors, ignoring solicitations, and, when pressed for an answer, saying no. It also demonstrates how many ways there are to tap the resources of donors—large and small—for the institution that commands respect, affect, and attention.

Coverage in the book includes:

• Soliciting individual donations
• Face-to-face donor solicitation
• Cultivating donors through fundraising events and direct mail
• Answers to tough fundraising questions
• Charitable giving from companies and foundations
• Bringing humor to fundraising
• Future trends in fundraising

YOURS FOR THE ASKING distills Levy’s experience in requesting help, soliciting support and asking for money into an easy-to-read, action oriented, and inspiring manual. It’s the ultimate guidebook for every fundraising professional working in a small, medium sized and large organization running the gamut from health to education, from the arts to humanitarian causes, from think tanks and advocacy groups to community-based outfits and social services providers, and from the established to the fledgling.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Reynold Levy (New York NY) has been the President of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts since 2002. Dr. Levy’s leadership at Lincoln Center continues a distinguished career of public service. He has been President of the International Rescue Committee, the senior officer of AT&T in charge of government relations, President of the AT&T Foundation, Executive Director of the 92nd Street Y, and Staff Director of the Task Force on the New York City Fiscal Crisis.

Levy has published two books, Give and Take: A Candid Account of Corporate Philanthropy (1999, Harvard Business School Press) and Nearing the Crossroads: Contending Approaches to American Foreign Policy (1975, Free Press of MacMillan). He has written extensively and spoken widely about philanthropy, the performing arts, humanitarian causes and issues, and the leadership and management of nonprofit institutions. Levy has been a Senior Lecturer at The Harvard Business School. He has also taught law, political science and nonprofit administration at Columbia and New York Universities and at the City University of New York.

For more information, contact: Evelyn Perez 201 748 6358 evperez@wiley.com

Yours for the Asking: An Indispensable Guide to Fundraising and Management by Reynold Levy Wiley; September 2008; $29.95 978-0-470-24342-8; Hardcover

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