Our Library: A Nonprofit Resources Guide

May 21, 2025

Our Library: A Nonprofit Resources Guide

Top Books, Podcasts + Conferences for Fundraising Success

At Swaim Strategies, we’re committed to empowering nonprofit professionals with cutting-edge resources, knowledge, and connections to maximize their fundraising potential. This comprehensive resource library represents our carefully curated recommendations to elevate your nonprofit’s impact and effectiveness.

Begin with our signature offerings, then explore additional vetted resources that have transformed our approach and could revolutionize yours too.

Must-Attend Nonprofit Conferences for Fundraising Professionals

Start With Our Premier Event:

Elevate – Our flagship conference is designed specifically as a two-day school for fundraising events. Elevate delivers immersive learning experiences including expert-led sessions on storytelling, donor impact, and stewardship, along with a load of fundraising resources to help make your job easier

Our Top 5 Additional Conference Recommendations:

Nonprofit Storytelling Conference – Perfect for development directors and communications teams looking to master emotional storytelling techniques that inspire donor action. This conference transforms how organizations communicate their impact through practical workshops and case studies.
Raise – Ideal for fundraising teams looking to access the latest in fundraising trends and increase revenue at their fundraising events. This forward-thinking conference connects development professionals with the latest fundraising innovations, mobile giving solutions, and data-driven approaches. It is produced by the team at OneCause.
GiveCon – Focused on donor stewardship, sustainable giving programs, and donor retention strategies for development officers. This collaborative conference provides actionable frameworks for building resilient fundraising programs through recurring giving models. It is produced by the team at Bloomerang.
The Ethical Nonprofit Summit – An online conference centered on ethical fundraising practices, transparency, and donor stewardship principles for nonprofit leadership teams seeking to strengthen organizational integrity and storytelling practices. It is produced by the team at Habrá Marketing.
Transform – An online event designed for nonprofit executives and board members focused on organizational development, strategic planning, and adaptive leadership in a changing philanthropic landscape. Hosted by our friends at Fundraising Transformed.

Essential Nonprofit Fundraising Books: Knowledge That Drives Results

Start with our Comprehensive Guide:

Planning a Successful Major Donor Event – Our definitive handbook walks development professionals through every stage of creating high-ROI donor events. From strategic guest list cultivation to logistics, we share proven methodologies that have helped organizations double their major gift revenue through carefully orchestrated donor experiences that connect guests to your mission.

Our Top 5 Additional Book Recommendations:

The Book on Fundraising Auctions by Kelly Russell – The complete playbook for nonprofit auction success, covering everything from procurement strategies to live auction psychology. Especially valuable for event committees and development teams planning benefit auctions of any size.
What the Fundraising by Mallory Erickson – Challenges traditional fundraising paradigms by addressing the mindset blocks that limit fundraising success. Perfect for development officers looking to overcome asking anxiety and build authentic donor relationships based on shared values.
Immersion by Paul Zak – Explores the neuroscience of storytelling and how oxytocin-triggering narratives drive connection and philanthropic action. Essential reading for communications teams crafting donor-centered messaging and emotional appeals.
Creative Deviations by John Lepp – A visual guide to breaking conventional design rules in fundraising communications. Ideal for direct mail teams and digital marketers seeking higher response rates through distinctive creative approaches that honor donor psychology.
Nonprofit AI by Nathan Chappell – A forward-looking exploration of how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing donor identification, personalization, and retention strategies. Critical reading for fundraising leaders preparing their organizations for the next generation of philanthropic engagement.

Top Fundraising Podcasts: Professional Development On The Go

Start with our Expert Conversations:

The Fundraising Elevator with Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele – Our weekly podcast delivers tactical fundraising strategies and candid conversations with industry innovators. Each episode provides immediately applicable insights on major gifts, event design, and donor psychology for busy development professionals looking to elevate their fundraising results.

Our Top 5 Additional Podcast Recommendations:

What the Fundraising with Mallory Erickson – Thought-provoking interviews that reframe fundraising challenges through fresh perspectives. Perfect for development professionals seeking inspiration and innovative approaches to persistent fundraising obstacles.
Nonprofit Lowdown with Rhea Wong – Straightforward, actionable advice for small to mid-sized nonprofit teams navigating resource constraints. Offers practical solutions for maximizing impact with limited staff and budgets.
The Intentional Fundraiser with Tammy Zonker – Strategic insights focused on systematic, donor-centered fundraising programs. Designed for development professionals building sustainable major gift pipelines and stewardship systems.
Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell – Digital engagement strategies and social media mastery for modern nonprofit communicators. Essential listening for teams working to expand their organization’s online presence and digital fundraising channels.
Raise Nation Radio Podcast – Expert conversations exploring emerging fundraising trends, technologies, and tactics. Valuable for forward-thinking development teams staying ahead of philanthropy’s evolving landscape.

Lisa Aragon