Fund Raising and Public Relations: A Critical Analysis

by Kathleen S. Kelly

Overview

This is the first scholarly work to place the function of fund raising within the field of public relations, redefining it as a specialization responsible for the management of communication between a charitable organization and its donor publics. Combining her academic interest in communication with her experience as a fund raiser, the author has produced one of the few critical studies on fund raising, challenging current perspectives and employing systems theory and the concept of organizational autonomy to lead to a new and different approach. Until now, fund raising has been an anomaly, without an academic home and with few general theories to guide practitioner behavior. This book theoretically grounds fund raising and develops a theory that provides a fuller understanding of one of the fastest growing occupations in the nonprofit sector.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000149067
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/24/2020
Series:	ISSN
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	552
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Kathleen S. Kelly

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface. A Critical Analysis of Fund Raising: An Overview of the Book. The Problem Prompting the Book: A New Function Taking on Increased Importance. Part I: Current Perspectives of Fund Raising: Confusing Definitions, Sporadic Research, and Myths. A Critical Analysis of Definitions Related to Fund Raising. An Analysis of the Body of Knowledge: A Need for Research. Myths and Misinterpretation of the Fund Raising Function. Part II: Systems Theory and Autonomy: Approaching Fund Raising From a Macroperspective. Systems Theory: Charitable Organizations and Their Environments. Institutional Autonomy. Autonomy and the Three Sources of Gifts. Three Case Studies on Autonomy. Part III: Shifting the Public Relations Paradigm: Approaching Fund Raising From a Different Perspective. The Fund Raiser in a Boundary Role. Fund Raising as a Specialization of Public Relations. Corporate Public Relations: A Precedent. Part IV: Using Public Relations Theories as Analytical Tools for Explaining Fund Raising. Four Models of Fund Raising. Measuring the Effectiveness of Fund Raising. Presuppositions About Fund Raising. Part V: A Theory of Donor Relations: Conclusions and Directions for Future Research. Conclusions and Directions for Future Research.

Editorial Reviews

".explores how your organization is doing in managing donor relationships. Kelly says fundraising and PR must be completely integrated-they're two sides of donor relations. She identifies four major types of PR which influence fund raising, stressing the donor's need and how that need-not the organization's-will be met through this financial relationship..Kelly's book, thoroughly researched and deep, will help you think through the implications.it's worth every penny."
—Christian Management Report

"In the fund raising world, this book will be seen as ‘radical' and for this she is to be commended."
—American Journal of Sociology

"Kelly's work is as solid as it is far-reaching."
—CASE Currents

"The success of this [book] comes from Kelly's inclusion of sage research and methodology....Her exploration of ethics and accountability will inspire those who find little depth in the philanthropic press."
—Foundation News & Commentary

"I applaud Kelly's bold efforts to conceptualize the fund raising function within an organization-environment framework and to redefine the function as a specialty within the field of public relations. Neither function is particularly well respected nor understood."
—American Journal of Sociology

"...her dissertation, upon which the book was based, has won the John Grenzebach Award for Outstanding Research in Philanthropy."
—The Chronicle of Philanthropy

"I am having an absolute ball with my Fund Raising and PR class — thanks to your superb book!"
—Lynne M. Sallot, Ph.D., APR,
Assistant Professor, Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication

"...strongly-researched book reads well and persuasively....You have stimulated and modified my thinking on this subject in a very large way."
—Scott M. Cutlip
Dean Emeritus, The University of Georgia

"The one important exception to the dearth of useful books on development is Kathleen Kelly's recent groundbreaking book....the first to attempt to provide a theoretical context for fund raising."
—Victoria Steele and Stephen Elder
Authors, Becoming a Fundraiser

"Nothing this good has ever been written about fund raising."
—Dr. James E. Grunig
University of Maryland

"...a remarkable achievement. It is an important, comprehensive, and helpful book."
—Victoria Steele
Co-author, Becoming a Fundraiser

"The questions it raises provide fertile ground for future research and debate."
—Michael Radock
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

"If there were a Top-Ten List for books about fund raising, this one would be on it."
—Dr. Margarete R. Hall
Gallaudet University

"It is a seminal work...I immediately ordered 10 copies to give to some of our presidents."
—Patrick J. Hunt
State University of New York System

"...breaks new conceptual ground and offers the public relations field an exciting new perspective of the natural linkage between fund raising and public relations."
—Dr. J. David Pincus
California State University, Fullerton

From the Publisher