ABSTRACT
Fund raising is an organizational function unique to that sector of our democratic society alternatively referred to as nonprofit, voluntary, or independent. Its practitioners are important actors in what many distinguish as the third sector, as opposed to the first two societal sectors of business and government, and the fourth and most fundamental sector of family. Although organizations in this third sector have been raising funds throughout most of our nation’s history, it has been only since the early 1900s that systematic efforts have been employed to bring about desired outcomes. Now, as we approach the end of this century, it is appropriate that we move beyond the organization of fund-raising activities to their management—specifically, toward managing the fund-raising function effectively so that it contributes to the overall success of those nonprofit organizations that are charitable.
