I love reading, and I love learning. I also geek out about strategies for helping nonprofits succeed. So, when I discovered that Candid has its own free library on Overdrive/Libby... I was SUPER EXCITED.
Some Background
Candid
Candid is a nonprofit that “provides the most comprehensive data and insights about the social sector” (from their website).
You may also know them as the organization that formed when The Foundation Center and Guidestar merged. They’re an excellent, trustworthy source of data and details for nonprofit organizations, nonprofit boards & leaders, and donors & funders.
OverDrive/Libby
OverDrive is an online library system for eBooks and audiobooks; your local public library probably has one. OverDrive is accessible via the web through your browser or using their mobile app, Libby.
I use Libby to check books out to read on my Kindle e-reader or in the Kindle app on my phone. You can also read Kindle books on your computer using the desktop app. There are also other book format options, including EPUB and PDF.
Like a traditional library, you can check books out, place them on hold, and keep them for a specified amount of time (usually 1-2 weeks). There are no overdue fines, since the app simply removes the books from your device when they are due, which is handy for this avid reader who makes $25-50 in accidental donations to her local library every year.
NOTE: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon, but I don’t get anything for referring you to OverDrive or Libby. I’m including Amazon links for each resource as well, in case you would rather buy your copy instead of borrow. View All on Amazon
My Candid OverDrive Reading List
Without further ado, here’s my current Top Ten Books to Read on Candid’s OverDrive Library in alphabetical order:
A simple guide to connecting donors with what matters to them most.
Branding for Nonprofits provides the processes, tools, and thinking needed to brand or rebrand. Author DK Holland—a pioneer in the field—helps nonprofits approach the rebranding process with confidence and enthusiasm. Case studies reveal real-life situations in which nonprofits have successfully created branding opportunities out of dilemmas, creating a distinctive, clear identity that furthers their mission. Inspiring and demystifying, this book is the essential tool for nonprofits seeking to communicate their important work in a bold voice.
More than half-a-million business leaders have discovered the power of the StoryBrand Framework, created by New York Times best-selling author and marketing expert Donald Miller. And they are making millions.
In Building a StoryBrand, Donald Miller teaches marketers and business owners to use the seven universal elements of powerful stories to dramatically improve how they connect with customers and grow their businesses.
Facing especially wicked problems, social sector organizations are searching for powerful new methods to understand and address them. Design Thinking for the Greater Good goes in depth on both the how of using new tools and the why. As a way to reframe problems, ideate solutions, and iterate toward better answers, design thinking is already well established in the commercial world.
Nathan Chappell, Brian Crimmins, and Michael Ashley deliver a startlingly insightful exploration of the decline of American generosity. The authors offer inspirational solutions to the dramatic downturn in giving in the US, showing us how to re-establish the interconnection that drives reciprocity, love, and generosity.
You’ll discover how to help reignite the radical connection between us and value-driven organizations that strive to improve life on Earth. You’ll also become part of the conversation about generosity as an antidote to isolation and learn to take personal responsibility for the world’s most seemingly intractable problems.
So many board members—especially of small nonprofits—want to support a nonprofit and readily accept the invitation to join the board. It’s only then that they discover they are in over their heads, with no idea of their expectations and responsibilities. The Little Book of Boards is here to throw that drowning board member a rope.
Avoid common pitfalls and get tips on proven fundraising methods that work.
This short guide helps new Executive Directors, active board chairs, and other key staff in charge of fundraising to learn the basics of professional and sustainable fundraising. Geared specifically for non-profits with small and very small budgets (a few hundred thousand dollars a year down to the smallest budgets).
Mobile devices are fast becoming the #1 means of digital communication. If you want a sustainable future for your nonprofit, you need to have a strong presence on prospective donors’ tablets and smartphones.
Nonprofit Hero is written by Valerie Jones, who has raised more than $175 million for nonprofits and coached thousands of people to authentically and successfully ask for the causes they care about.
Includes a toolkit of practical samples and templates, such as sample giving dos and don’ts, asking scripts, and fundraising plans.
Written by two expert authors who have won secured millions of dollars in government and foundation grants, The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need is the classic book on grant seeking, providing a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for government, nonprofit, and individual grant seekers.
Drawing on decades of experience in grant writing and professional development, Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox demystify the process of securing grants while offering indispensable advice from funders and recipients.
Never Stop Learning!
Candid’s OverDrive library is brimming with books and audiobooks that can help you and your nonprofit team to grow your organization, set yourselves up for long-term success, and give you the confidence you need to take on responsibilities that you never thought you could.
Here’s how to access the library:
- Go to candid.overdrive.com and click on the “Sign In” button on the top right of the page.
- Click on “User ID help” to register for a User ID. (This will open a new window.)
- Fill out the red required fields on the registration form: name, city, state, zip code, and email address.
- After submitting your form, you will receive a User ID; write down your User ID, you’ll need it every time you log in on the website or via the Libby App.
- Return to the OverDrive sign-in page and type in your User ID.
- Start borrowing or place a hold!
