No One Dreams of Being a Fundraiser: My Unexpected Journey from Music to Major Gifts

by Mitchell Linker

Overview

No One Dreams of Being a Fundraiser is an inspirational, one-of-a-kind memoir that tells the story of Mitchell Linker’s harrowing and hilarious journey from aspiring rock star to nonprofit major gifts fundraiser. Along the way, Linker reveals how he overcame his fear of asking for money by employing a unique fundraising philosophy rooted in honesty, authenticity, curiosity and empathy. No One Dreams of Being a Fundraiser is, however, about more than fundraising. It’s about what happens when you follow your heart with unwavering commitment only to have it lead you to a place of hopelessness and despair. It’s about making a life-pivot and finding fulfillment and satisfaction in something new and totally unexpected. In Linker’s case, it’s the intimidating yet exhilarating world of nonprofit major gifts fundraising.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761869641
Publisher:	Hamilton Books
Publication date:	07/31/2017
Pages:	94
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Mitchell Linker has been working in development for fifteen years, primarily at private college preparatory institutions. Since 2008, Linker has also served as the volunteer Development Chair of Our Companions Animal Rescue, an animal welfare organization founded by his wife Susan. Together, they have grown Our Companions Animal Rescue into a multi-million dollar domestic animal sanctuary, the only one of its kind in New England.

Table of Contents

Author’s Note Part 1: The Dream Part 2: Transition Part 3: Education Part 4: Experience and Experiences Part 5: Explorations Acknowledgments

Editorial Reviews

No One Dreams of Being a Fundraiser is a candid, humorous, and at times irreverent examination of the largely unexamined world of major gift fundraising. Seasoned fundraisers will find Mitch’s observations both familiar and relatable, while those new to the field will benefit from his stories and cautionary tales.

Joshua R. Newton

Nearly all of us had a different dream but we awoke to this profession. Linker shows how this new reality can be better than the dream. If you are new to fundraising, read No One Dreams of Being a Fundraiser first.

Joshua M. Birkholz

It is an astonishing thing to read a book about fundraising—fully not expecting it to be personal, honest and touching—only to become emotionally invested after the first page. Linker brings us on a journey from his promising musical career into his immersion into fundraising and all the stumbling blocks that go with it. His charm and humor make this story fun and deeply relatable.

Chris Trapper

Linker’s approach to fundraising is beautifully articulated in this informative, fun and fresh memoir. I’ve been solicited by many fundraisers over the years. His honest, authentic, inquisitive style of raising money is appealing to donors and it works!

Valerie Friedman