Running or working with a nonprofit organization needs more than just love for helping others. It also needs smart planning, good leadership, and the ability to change with the world.
Best Nonprofit Books 2025
Here’s a list of important books for people working in nonprofits to read in 2025. These books talk about how to be a good leader, raise money, tell stories, make good plans for your group, and see how well your work is helping others. Reading these Best Nonprofit Books 2025 will give you good ideas and help you do better in your nonprofit work.
“Your Passion Can Change the World“ by Fred Engh
If you care about helping animals, cleaning the oceans, helping lonely people, or giving young people new chances, 2025 is the perfect year to get started! A great book that can help you is Fred Engh’s book called Your Passion Can Change the World: Start a Nonprofit from Scratch. It’s an inspiring and simple guide that shows you how to turn your ideas into real action.
This is not just a book that tells you what to do. It’s a personal and inspiring story that anyone can connect with, no matter where they come from. If you have ever thought, “I want to help others, but I don’t know how to start,” this book is made for you.
From the very first pages, Engh’s message is clear: starting a nonprofit isn’t reserved for lawyers, CEOs, or billionaires. It’s for anyone with a vision, the courage to act, and the persistence to follow through. And the best part? He shows you exactly how to do it step by step.
There are dozens of nonprofit “how to” books on the market, so what makes Your Passion Can Change the World essential reading in 2025?
- Fred Engh isn’t a Harvard MBA or a corporate guru. He’s someone who once struggled in school, hated instructions, and found his way through sheer grit, passion, and trial-and-error. His story is proof that you don’t need to be perfect or well-connected to succeed. You just need to care deeply and take action.
- Engh isn’t just a writer; he’s a doer. He founded the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), which has impacted communities in over 3,000 cities and even on military bases around the world. His programs have helped thousands of children have safer, more positive experiences in sports. The fact that he’s walked the walk makes his advice trustworthy and grounded.
- Too many guides on starting a nonprofit are filled with legal jargon, endless checklists, and discouraging barriers. Engh takes the opposite approach. He simplifies the process, talks you through common fears, and uses personal stories to show how challenges can be overcome. It feels more like a motivational memoir than a textbook but with all the essential guidance built in.
- Perhaps the most powerful element of this book is how it compels you to act. Engh doesn’t let you off the hook. If you’re holding this book, he says, then you’ve already taken the first step. And with each chapter, he builds your confidence until you start to believe, “Hey, I really can do this.”
Here are a few standout lessons that make Your Passion Can Change the World a must-read in 2025:
- Engh shares how many people let their dreams sit on a shelf because they’re afraid to make mistakes. He challenges readers to just start no matter how messy or uncertain the beginning may be. The perfect moment will never come. Action is what matters.
- Whether you’re drawn to protecting animals, ending poverty, supporting veterans, or improving education, your passion is your strongest asset. Engh shows how to channel that energy into a cause and turn it into a real organization that can help others.
- The legal and business side of nonprofits can feel intimidating, but Engh simplifies the steps. He shows you how to register your nonprofit, build a team, gather supporters, and get funding. He keeps the focus on what really matters: starting small, staying committed, and growing over time.
- Engh’s journey wasn’t easy. He shares honest stories about rejections, frustrations, and moments of doubt. But these setbacks didn’t stop him. In fact, they shaped him and they’ll shape you, too. He encourages you to treat every challenge as a learning opportunity.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Aspiring nonprofit founders who have a dream but feel unsure where to start should consider Books for Starting a Nonprofit
- Educators and community leaders who want to turn ideas into action
- Retirees or career-changers looking for purpose-driven work
- Young people and students with bold ideas and no formal experience
- Anyone who lies awake at night thinking about how to make the world better
Fred Engh’s book is more than a guide it’s a pep talk, a blueprint, and a powerful reminder that change doesn’t come from the sidelines. It comes from ordinary people who decide to act.
So if you’re looking for the one book to ignite your purpose and help you build something lasting in 2025, look no further. This is it. Pick it up, read it, and then most importantly do something with it. The world is waiting.
“Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits” from Top Nonprofit Organizations Books
By Leslie R. Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant
A must-read classic that remains highly relevant in 2025, this book explores what makes certain nonprofits more effective than others. Crutchfield and Grant studied successful nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and Teach For America and identified six core practices that help these organizations achieve lasting impact.
Why it’s essential:
- Offers a data-driven blueprint for scaling impact.
- Explains how to build movements, engage the public, and advocate for policy change.
- Now includes updated case studies for 2025 realities like remote work and hybrid fundraising models.
“Storytelling for Nonprofits: A Practical Guide to Telling Stories that Raise Money and Awareness” from Great Books for Starting a Nonprofit By Vanessa Chase Lockshin
Nonprofits thrive on compelling stories. This book focuses on the art and science of storytelling to boost engagement, awareness, and donations. Chase Lockshin breaks down how to gather stories, frame them ethically, and use them across marketing channels.
What you’ll learn:
- How to use emotional storytelling to build deeper relationships with donors.
- Techniques for writing impactful newsletters, social media posts, and annual reports.
- Tips for training your staff and volunteers as authentic storytellers.
“Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential” (Movie Companion Edition)
By Dan Pallotta
Following the 2023 release of the Uncharitable documentary, this updated version of the original book dives deeper into the structural problems holding nonprofits back. Pallotta argues for changing outdated rules and perceptions about nonprofit spending, compensation, and risk-taking.
Must-read from Books on Running a Nonprofit:
- Leaders seeking to defend fair wages and growth budgets.
- Boards wanting to align on a high-impact investment strategy.
- Nonprofits are in need of a compelling argument to bring to skeptical funders.
“Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector” By Vu Le
The author drew material for this book from the popular Nonprofit AF blog, which accurately displays nonprofit humor and authentic experiences. The book discusses realistic nonprofit hurdles through Vu Le’s honest writing while providing usable guidance along with humor.
Why it’s a favorite:
- Combines entertainment with truth bombs about sector flaws.
- Encourages a more human-centered, equity-driven approach.
- Great for team discussions and retreats to lighten the mood while diving deep.
“The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World” from the Best Nonprofit Books 2025 By Beth Kanter and Allison Fine
In 2025, data literacy is non-negotiable. The book demonstrates methods of data collection and interpretation that nonprofits can apply without requiring data science expertise. Kanter and Fine present applicable methods and procedures that any organization can use to strengthen their performance.
Key features:
- Templates and worksheets to assess your data maturity.
- Advice on dashboard creation and data storytelling.
- Guidance on building a data-informed culture with limited resources.
“Fundraising for Social Change” (8th Edition) By Kim Klein
This new edition of Kim Klein’s fundraising bible is updated for 2025 with fresh strategies for digital fundraising, monthly donor programs, and grassroots campaigns. It remains the go-to for nonprofits relying on individual donations rather than corporate or government grants.
What makes it indispensable:
- Easy-to-follow fundraising plans for small shops.
- Insights into how to talk to donors during turbulent times.
- Emphasis on equity, ethics, and sustainability in fundraising.
“Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance” By Edgar Villanueva
This groundbreaking book challenges how philanthropy operates. Villanueva a Native American philanthropist urges nonprofits and funders to rethink power, money, and giving through an Indigenous lens.
Critical reading for:
- Leaders committed to anti-racism and equity work.
- Foundations seeking more inclusive grantmaking practices.
- Anyone questioning the moral structure of traditional charity models.
Final Thoughts
Reading the right Nonprofit Organizations Books can transform how your nonprofit operates from the inside out. Whether you’re just starting out or are years into your mission, the titles on this list of Top Nonprofit Organizations Books offer powerful tools for leadership, storytelling, data, fundraising, equity, and innovation.
