Of all the things we could say about 2017, we’ll settle for this: It was a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. When white nationalists spread lies about people of color, we supported our neighbors and challenged lies with truth. When women spoke of being assaulted by powerful men, we listened to their stories and removed them from power.
It’s because our country has problems that nonprofits exist; we strive to fix them, to change society and help those in need, so that the next generation may be better off than the one that came before. If you’re ready to tackle the big challenges ahead, settle in with a book from Spark Point’s 2017 Reading list, with our favorite books that help inspire and inform the path ahead.
In a year when sexism and misogyny have taken center stage, it’s time that we lift up and honor the voices of women trailblazers, visionaries, and rebels who have shaped our history. If ever you feel discouraged as a women in the fight for social change, pick up this book to get inspired by stories of the heroines who have come before.
The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit: Strategies for Impact without Burnout
Nonprofits are driven by passion. But what starts as a personal investment in an organization’s mission can quickly lead to stress, overcommitment, and exhaustion. Now, as we’re settling in for the long fight, it’s important that we conserve our energy and work smart. If you’re a nonprofit leader looking to optimize your organization and avoid burnout, then this book is for you.
Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America
Ferguson. Baltimore. Charleston. Charlottesville. After years of tragedy, it is time for white Americans to recognize the years of systemic injustices levied at their black neighbors, and take a stand to make it right. This impassioned book is for all Americans who care about the racial crisis in our country.
Big Data is completely transforming how companies drive their decision making and advance the bottom line. In the nonprofit sector, however, its potential remains untapped—and we’re missing out on an opportunity to improve countless human lives. Data Driven Nonprofits is a guidebook for organizations that want to improve their performance and increase positive change by leveraging data. If you want to help pull your nonprofit into the modern age and scale its impact, this book is for you.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
One hundred fairytales, inspired by the real-life stories of one hundred incredible women—this book will teach any child that she has the potential to achieve something great. A great gift for a daughter, a niece, or an adult with imagination, let’s prepare the next generation of women to lead, by telling them stories of women who don’t need saving.
Relationship Fundraising: A Donor Based Approach to the Business of Raising Money
Fundraising is about more than finding money to fuel your organization’s impact today—it’s about cultivating relationships that allow it to thrive in the days to come. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to better maintain and cultivate relationships with funders. Consider it Spark Point 101.
Think Wrong: How to Conquer the Status Quo and Do What Matters
The way we solve problems is broken. In an era of rapid social, cultural, and technological change, our thinking remains trapped by techniques and assumptions of a bygone era. This book challenges the reader to think creatively, providing new tools, frameworks, and language to tackle big problems and drive change. A must-read for any organization trying to keep pace in the modern age.