The Fundraising Myth & Science Series · Book II

The Epic Fundraiser

Myth, Psychology, and the Universal Hero Story in Fundraising

Russell James III · Published 2022 · ISBN: 979-8-54-719030-8

Contents

1. Introduction
   Introduction: What is fundraising selling? The story that enhances identity
2. Chapter 1
   The donor and the universal hero story
3. Chapter 2
   The fundraiser in the universal hero story
4. Chapter 3
   Beyond the donor hero: Fundraising and other archetypal characters
5. Chapter 4
   Women, wealth, and reframing the donor-hero story
6. Chapter 5
   The fundraising curse of the administrator-hero story
7. Chapter 6
   The nonprofit in the donor’s hero story: The hammer of Thor
8. Chapter 7
   Fundraiser turnover problems: The stigmatized story character
9. Chapter 8
   Fundraiser turnover solutions: Transforming the story character
10. Chapter 9
    Introducing the epic fundraiser to the public: What’s your job?
11. Chapter 10
    Fundraiser as sage or jester? The counterfeit guide
12. Chapter 11
    The epic fundraiser as translator: Selling to the internal organization
13. Chapter 12
    Organizational solutions to fundraising with rival hero stories
14. Chapter 13
    Making the perfect fundraising ask: Lessons from Obi-Wan, Gandalf, and Morpheus
15. Chapter 14
    Confirming donor heroism with gratitude: The return of the hero
16. Chapter 15
    Donor publicity and donor hesitancy: The hero’s initial refusal to return
17. Chapter 16
    Why story? The narrative arc in practical fundraising
18. Chapter 17
    Story problems with fundraising metrics: UR doing it wrong
19. Chapter 18
    Story solutions with fundraising metrics: Advancing the right story for the right donors
20. Author
    About the author