Welcome to the online press kit for Donald Summers

An accomplished social impact advisor, Donald Summers, Ed.M., recently released his book, "Scaling Altruism: A Proven Pathway for Accelerating Nonprofit Growth and Impact," which became the #1 New Nonprofit Release on Amazon. His research and essays have been featured in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Summers has a Master’s Degree in Leadership & Policy from Harvard.

Leadership in Nonprofits
Managing Disruption and Driving Change

"Scaling Altruism: A Proven Pathway for Accelerating Nonprofit Growth and Impact" is a groundbreaking new book by Harvard graduate and entrepreneur Donald Summers. This essential toolkit is designed specifically for ambitious nonprofit leaders who are determined to enhance their organization's impact and drive significant social change.

In "Scaling Altruism," Donald Summers presents a comprehensive, step-by-step blueprint for transforming small or midsize nonprofits into powerful agents of change. With nearly 20 years of experience in the social impact sector, Summers distills his extensive knowledge and practical expertise into this invaluable guide, providing readers with:

Templates, Tools, and Exercises: Practical resources that can be immediately applied to help nonprofits scale their operations and maximize their social impact.

Implementation Guides: Clear, actionable instructions to facilitate the effective application of the book’s strategies.

Cash Flow and Funding Strategies: Innovative approaches to improving financial health, including new revenue tools and staff integration methods.

Investment and Partnership Scorecard: A detailed framework to assess the health of fundraising efforts and identify opportunities for growth.

Leadership Best Practices: Expert advice on managing disruptive individuals within a nonprofit to maintain a productive and positive organizational culture.

Transforming Nonprofits to Amplify Social Impact

The book is meticulously structured to guide readers through a transformative journey, outlined across seven critical chapters:

Assess: Evaluate the current state of your nonprofit.
Align: Ensure alignment of mission, values, and operations.
Plan: Develop a strategic growth plan.
Test: Pilot new initiatives and strategies.
Fund: Secure necessary funding and resources.
Execute: Implement the plan effectively.
Lead: Cultivate strong, visionary leadership.

"Scaling Altruism" is more than a must-read for managers and directors of small to medium-sized nonprofits; it also serves as an essential resource for funders, graduate students, and anyone aspiring to make a significant impact in the nonprofit sector.

Donald Summers’ actionable insights have already empowered many of today’s most exciting social change efforts. This book encapsulates his proven methodologies and strategies, providing readers with the tools they need to transform their organizations into highly effective social-problem-solving machines.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the release of "Scaling Altruism" and to explore the transformative potential this book holds for the nonprofit community.

6 Key Characteristics of Effective Nonprofit Leaders

In our research and experience, we've identified six essential characteristics of leaders that are fundamental to the successful implementation of the practices outlined in Donald Summers' book “Scaling Altruism.” These traits are crucial for driving nonprofit growth and achieving significant social impact:

Courage: Effective leaders embrace change and take calculated risks. They understand that failure is a component of success and believe that aiming high, even if it means failing, is more valuable than staying within the comfort zone.

Optimism: They have a strong belief in their work and are committed to gathering evidence to prove that they offer a best-in-field solution capable of solving major problems.

Grit: These leaders recognize that growth and high performance are challenging. They expect setbacks and demonstrate resilience and perseverance in the face of repeated failures.

Urgency: Action-oriented and experimental, they understand that talk is not a deliverable. They keep meetings brief and avoid over-analysis, ensuring that their board and staff are fully committed to the mission without any "social impact tourists."

Discipline: They meticulously plan their work and adhere to their plans. Their decisions are driven by data, and they avoid the temptation to pursue every new opportunity that arises. Instead, they remain focused on their strategic objectives.

Focus: By setting clear goals and strategies, they concentrate on a small number of metrics that measure their progress. They avoid creating new programs impulsively and remain dedicated to solving one specific, challenging problem without getting distracted by other issues.

These six traits are not just theoretical ideals but practical qualities that enable nonprofit leaders to transform their organizations and amplify their impact.

PRESS RELEASE 6/5/24 Donald Summers Unveils 'Scaling Altruism

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