The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has awarded the 2018 AFP/Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy to Beth Breeze for her book The New Fundraisers: Who Organises Charitable Giving in Contemporary Society?, published by Policy Press, in 2017.

The New Fundraisers provides a global overview on the purpose and history of fundraising, with in-depth data from an extensive study of UK fundraisers. The book is an empirically-based and theoretically-informed account of the makeup and role of fundraisers, how fundraising works in practice and what kinds of skills and training make for an effective fundraising professional.

“Writing this book was a labour of love because I feel strongly that fundraising is a crucial yet overlooked, and often misunderstood, profession,” said Breeze. “I hope that the book helps to challenge the illogical position whereby charities are widely admired, but the people who bring in the funding that enables charitable activity to take place, are not.”

Commenting on Dr Breeze’s award-winning book, the prize jury commented that “this excellent volume was selected because of its value as a research study that centers itself outside of the United States. Dr Breeze’s book argues that fundraising is about much more than simply ‘raising funds’ by asking donors, as the process must also include the complex work of cultivation by the practitioner. Prior to now, most researchers have focused on individual donors, their characteristics and their motivations.  Dr Breeze flips the script and, through empirical research, helps us understand the fundraiser. We commend Dr Breeze for strong research and an accessible book that can forward our field.”

Beth Breeze is a senior lecturer on social policy and director of the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent in the UK. She worked as a fundraiser and charity manager before co-founding the Centre.