Reviews

Press reviews

[The Idealist.org Handbook] helps readers understand how to be of service; what you can give in addition to money that can make a difference; and how nonprofits and organizations can thrive, not just survive, in the current economic climate."

—Charlotte Weekly (March 13-19) (View PDF, page 28)

Ready to help the world, right now? Nothing can get you off to a faster start than this utterly indispensable guide for people who want to change the world for the better. [...] It is so easy to read and so jam-packed with practical advice. Whether you want to join a board or simply volunteer a few hours a week, this guide will help you demystify the world of do-gooders and understand how and where you can make the biggest difference. Highly recommended."

—Now Possible blog (View)

Editorial reviews

This has to be the single best book for those who want to translate good intentions into action. It clearly presents the myriad ways in which each of us, regardless of our age, resources or preferences, can have a positive impact on our community. Whoever you are, whatever you are doing, this book will empower you to help make this world a better place. A must read for idealists everywhere!"

—Bill Alberta, Associate Director, Cornell Career Services

At once practical and inspirational, this book asks the simple but penetrating questions: are you an idealist? if so, what are you going to do about it? A must read for anyone interested in making a difference, changing their life and community—in short, building a better world."

—Patrick Corvington, Senior Associate, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Idealist has taken another step towards removing the barriers between bright ideals and good actions, empowering people of all ages and talents to contribute towards building that better world."

—Lynne Schuman, Director of Career Services and Alumni Affairs, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

An absolute 'must have' for any college career advisor! This book provides the needed tools to enable students and alums to explore options in nonprofit from volunteering to making careers changes.The in-depth materials, in this book, provides keen insight into motivation, self-knowledge, organizations, resources and much more. This is a much needed resource."

—
Greg Hatch, 
Assistant Director, 
The Career Center, 
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

From donating money to exploring corporate social responsibility, this resource will engage all who want to create a better world. The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World goes beyond other volunteer resources by discussing ways to contribute in not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, in the workplace as well as through volunteering. The creative suggestions for involvement and many links to additional websites offer a fresh look at civic engagement."

—
Andrea Smith Shappell, Assistant Director, Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame

The concept for this book is just so heartwarming. It tugs at, tempts, and thrills the idealist in all of us. With so many examples of ways to invest time, talent, and dollars it underscores the idea that anyone can help to make the world a better place. Like any good guidebook you will find yourself marking it up and referring to it often, whether planning a day trip or an extended stay."

—
Linda Wiener, Aging and Workforce Consultant, Wiener Training and Consulting Group

The definitions of nonprofits and ‘doing good at work’ continue to blur. The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World shows us how to consider making a difference in unconventional ways. In a compelling and thoughtful way, it opens the reader’s mind to overlooked talents and forgotten passions, dispels the commonly held myths about nonprofits, and inspires action. The most encouraging and empowering message from the experts at Idealist.org is that building a better world through taking action is possible, no matter how small that action may be. This handbook provides a provocative and yet practical guide, for readers to uncover their passions and skills and to use them to make a difference, not only for others but also for themselves."

—Linda Arra, Director, Career Services, Lafayette College, Easton, PA

Idealist.org's website has been a powerhouse of information and knowledge for over a decade, and this new book captures and shares those resources with anyone who has ever hoped to 'make a difference.' Not only do the definitions and explanations make the nonprofit sector understandable and accessible, the emphasis on using solid career-education tools such as self-assessment, research, and networking ensures identifying and finding a perfect fit for using one’s skills, time, or resources to build a better world. This book should prevent the idealist in anyone from becoming a pessimistic realist."

—Beth Olson, Associate Director, Center for Career Education, Columbia University

If you are asking 'I want to make a difference but where do I begin?' this book can help you answer that question. The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World is an outstanding resource for anyone who wants to make a difference but is not sure how to begin. Working in a university career center, I often see students seeking to begin a career in the nonprofit sector who are so overwhelmed by all their choices they become stuck. This book can help any job seeker to move forward and begin a focused and effective job search. There are several chapters dedicated to finding paid work or volunteer opportunities that include practical and easy-to-follow exercises designed to help job seekers narrow down their options so they can see where their talents and interests fit in the nonprofit sector. This down-to-earth, highly informative book is useful both to beginning job seekers and experienced professionals considering a career change. I highly recommend this book."

—Dee Thompson, Director, Career Center, Portland State University

For anyone who wants to make a positive difference in the world, I can hardly think of a more excellent resource than The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World. This book is a very practical guide to putting one's desires to help others into action. Whether through gifts of time, talent or treasure (or some combination thereof), this marvelous work provides each of us with a roadmap for taking concrete steps toward enhancing the lives of others."

—Jim Lindsay, Executive Director, Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (CNVS)

Archimedes, the Greek mathematician, said 'Give me a lever and a place to stand and I'll move the world.' The Idealist.org Handbook is a timely primer on what our own lever might look like, and where we should put it if we wish to change the world in ways that we help determine. Given the explosion of interest in trying to make a difference—through offering time, talent or treasure—this Idealist.org Handbook provides clear, compelling and easy to follow guidance on how to turn good intentions into effective world-changing actions."

—Kevin F. F. Quigley, President, National Peace Corps Association

Idealist.org describes itself as a 'do-gooder nerve center.' The entrepreneurial spirit of those who run this organization has produced a valuable internet resource for all things nonprofit. Now, Idealist.org and co-author Stephanie Land have added one more resource to the Idealist arsenal; the newly published Handbook to Building a Better World. Designed for those looking to make positive contributions to society, the Handbook addresses topics as broad ranging as volunteering, performing board service, creating a personal philanthropic plan and changing the world through the workplace. There is even a chapter dedicated to corporate social responsibility and how employees can inspire their companies to do good better.

Most uniquely however, the Handbook leads individuals through a process of self-assessment by encouraging them to think about the issues that matter most to them, as well as their experience, skills and limitations. It is written in an honest and down-to-earth manner, and opens up a world that may have been unfamiliar to many. Filled with valuable resources, the Handbook is perfect for the individual who has always wanted to give back, but who never knew where to start. Start by reading this book!

—Rebecca Zirm, Director of Recruitment, Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations

The genius of this book can be found on multiple levels, and it is filled with insights lacking from other nonprofit guides. Most importantly, it offers an often overlooked message that you can contribute to the nonprofit world in many ways beyond direct service and the manner in which you are involved might change as your life takes you down different paths. This is simple, yet profound insight that can inspire individuals to action. Moreover, this book has wide-reaching appeal because it isn’t directly solely to those working in the nonprofit sector—although there is wonderful information for those individuals—there is great information about how to contribute your time, expertise or money through volunteering, board service and philanthropy for those people working in the for-profit sector.

"Finally, the book conveys its message in an inspiring, no nonsense style and provides a concrete roadmap with specific resources to help you move from good intentions to actions. All of these attributes are hallmarks of Idealist.org publications and help to make them truly special. This handbook shares the same characteristics and will be a welcome addition to the career library at Brandeis. I highly recommend it."

—Joseph Du Pont, Esq. Director, Hiatt Career Center, Brandeis University

For those who find themselves asking the question, 'How can I make a difference in my community?, The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World is an excellent place to discover some answers. The handbook provides a practical introduction to how individuals can move from idealism to action based upon knowledge of how individuals and organizations engage in meaningful service to the public good. Whether one is looking for how to find meaningful volunteer service, preparation for careers in the non-profit world, or how one’s personal financial commitments might best be used to serve others, the Handbook is the best resource I know of for living a life of action that makes a difference.

"Many of the graduate students and recent graduates I encounter wrestle with the chasm that often exists between work and career on the one hand and the need to realize meaning and purpose in service to the public good. I now have a powerful resource to share with them as they take the next step in finding their own place of service

"If knowledge is power, Idealist’s new Handbook to Building a Better World should be a source of empowerment to all who seek a way to make a difference in the world. The handbook navigates through the many complex and often misunderstood structures and organizations that provide networks for involvement and service. I know of no other resource that packs so much practical information for those who seek to contribute to the common good with their time, skills and resources."

—Scott Hudgins, Assistant Dean, The Graduate School University of North Carolina at Greensboro