In my 25+ years working in nonprofit communications and fundraising, I’ve watched the landscape shift more times than I can count. Economic uncertainty, evolving donor expectations, pressing questions about equity and power dynamics in philanthropy—each challenge demands we rethink not just our tactics, but our entire approach to this work. And yet, for all this change, I’ve found that the most meaningful fundraising has always been rooted in something unchanging: genuine human connection and a shared commitment to building something better together.

The landscape for fundraisers today is one of continual change and uncertainty. There are no hard and fast rules to follow that will lead every fundraiser in every type of organization to guaranteed success time and again. What there are are maps; pathways forged by brave and brilliant pioneers who leave footsteps for us to follow. Tammy Zonker is one such pioneer, and Calling All Heroes is the map she has created for us all.

The nonprofit sector has spent recent years debating donor-centered versus community-centered fundraising as if they were opposing forces. Zonker argues—convincingly—that this is a false choice. The most effective fundraising honors both the needs and motivations of donors and the communities they seek to support. It’s not either/or; it’s both/and.

As someone working in foster care and adoption support, I see this tension play out constantly. Our donors want to help vulnerable children and families. The families we serve need resources, yes, but also dignity, agency, and respect. Zonker’s framework shows us how to hold both of these truths without compromising either.

With a keen balance between examining the past and understanding the roots of fundraising theory and projecting a new vision of the future of this discipline, readers can expect to take away both knowledge and specific action steps. This isn’t just philosophy—Zonker provides concrete tools for transformation.

Throughout the book, Zonker conjures an image very close to my own heart: that of building a longer table when we see those in need. It’s a metaphor that captures everything I believe about this work. We’re not gatekeepers deciding who gets a seat. We’re builders, constantly expanding the table so there’s room for everyone—donors, community members, volunteers, staff, and the people we serve.

Her transformational guidebook shows us the way towards a future where the needs and motivations of both donors and the communities they seek to support can be honored, valued, and seen. In an era where trust in institutions is declining, and donors increasingly want an authentic connection to impact, this approach isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for organizational sustainability.

While Calling All Heroes is written for fundraisers, its insights extend far beyond development offices. Executive directors navigating board relationships, program staff interfacing with funders, and board members shaping organizational culture will all find valuable frameworks here. Anyone involved in the complex work of connecting resources with need will benefit from Zonker’s thoughtful approach.

We’re living in a moment that demands we reimagine nearly everything about how nonprofits operate and sustain themselves. Tammy Zonker hasn’t just written about that reimagining—she’s created a practical guide for the journey. Calling All Heroes reminds us that the work of fundraising, at its best, is the work of building beloved community. And that’s work worth doing with intention, integrity, and hope.