For any individual donor or foundation giving money to a faith-based organization,
this guide is indispensable. Equipping the Saints offers sage advice on recognizing
the qualities of good leaders, effective programs, and the methods of evaluating
outcomes. Based on hundreds of interviews with donors and civic leaders, this
guide provides a candid look at the unique strengths and weaknesses of these
groups. Equipping the Saints is packed with useful tools like a donor's interest
inventory, a checklist for making a site visit, tips on reading nonprofit financial
statements, and hands-on recommendations for making grants that are both effective
and prudent.
"An excellent guide for philanthropists seeking to unleash the power of
faith in healing troubled souls and transforming troubled neighborhoods."
-Adam Meyerson, President, The Philanthropy Roundtable
"Most donors quickly learn how all that glitters is not gold. Some go on
to learn how all that is gold does not glitter. In this book Barbara Elliott
provides the lessons in discernment and the tools for evaluation that donors
need. Take advantage of her understanding by making it your own."
-Marvin Olasky, Editor of World magazine, author of Compassionate
Conservatism and The Tragedy of American Compassion
"Any donor with even a hint of interest in exploring investments in the
work of faith-based organizations (FBOs) needs this book. It is packed with
practical information about how to understand and assess FBOs. Its numerous
examples of real-life donors making real-life differences through partnerships
with faith-inspired community healers ought to stimulate much creative brainstorming
among philanthropists."
-Dr. Amy L. Sherman, Senior Fellow and Director, Faith in Communities
Initiative of the Foundation for American Renewal
"From the perspective of a local foundation giving to faith-based ministries,
we have found Barbara Elliott's work to be inspiring, practical and instructive
to us as we think through our priorities and principles for funding decisions…I
have extraordinary respect for Barbara's scope of understanding, ability
to communicate with passion and reason, and her deep understanding of a very
complex field. She gives all of us—ministries and funders—genuine hope and
invaluable insight."
-Fred Smith, President, The Gathering
"Barbara Elliott's Guide to Giving to Faith-Based Organizations is an important
and helpful tool for serious donors. The first book of its kind, it makes
the case for supporting causes motivated by faith, and then provides a rich
mosaic of information on just how to do that. Since giving among the faithful
is such a large segment of American philanthropy, this book is long overdue.
Immensely readable, and laced with numerous illustrations and helpful tools,
this practical volume is packed with wisdom."
-Calvin W. Edwards, Founder & CEO, Calvin Edwards & Company
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