Unicorns Unite: How nonprofits and foundations can build EPIC Partnerships

As kind and kind can be, given the systemic dysfunctions of funder/grantee power dynamics. A plea that we can all do better if we make common cause and treat each other with respect and cocreators of a better future.

How long have I been waiting for this book? Maybe if it had come out earlier I'd still be in the social sector full time instead of coaching others within it/ It is a book of hope. Having run a social venture for 10 years I got tired of selling - of pitching - of spending the majority of my time figuring out how to dance to raise the money to keep fulfilling the mission. This book is what's needed to 1) remind me it wasn't just about me - the foundations were frustrated too and 2) to connect us - to open the conversation about how to fix the broken system - how to work together to find a way to change the dynamic and to ultimately be free to create deep changes faster. And DUDE - its the funniest, the easiest read EVER! Bc who has time to read ? This is like dessert. I'm so grateful this book happened.

Loved it.I think a lot of this book is about identifying the insecurities we have as aspiring Unicorns. If we can take ourselves a little less seriously, collaborations will become more effective, and we will better serve people.The book's tone balances honesty and optimism in a fun way. It's a something that can only be struck by self-aware authors who have experienced EPIC PARTNERSHIPS as well as UNepic ones.I am a slow reader. So, I was going to wait for an audio version to come out. That won't work for this book. It's meant to be read. It has graphics and pictures which will help structure your thoughts. It took a couple hours for me to read, and I will go back and do the activities again with our team.

So brilliant. UU is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book that every foundation staff member and every nonprofit director should read. You can read the first 2 sections of the book (how the field is, and how it could be) in just a few hours (and they are wonderful sections), but the last section is invaluable. It offers tailored activities for foundation staff and nonprofit leaders to help you actually get on the path toward more effective (and lovely) partnerships. The exercises are fun, easy to understand, and encourage meaningful reflection and concrete suggestions for your work.Also, don't let the title and art fool you, this book is serious, and it's written by field-leading professionals who simply know how challenging it can be to grab board members' undivided attention. The unicorns may help.

Unicorns Unite is for the nonprofit professional who wants to re-evaluate the sector and how we approach our work. It’s an easy read complete with illustrations and writing prompts to help you apply the topics to your own organization. These aspects can make the seem less “serious”, but it truly is a must-read for understanding the ways in which our sector is dysfunctional and how we perpetuate these problems by not challenging the status quo. I’m excited to discuss with my book club!

I love everything about this book and sincerely hope that it reaches the ears of as many nonprofit and foundation employees as possible! Such important messages and useful exercises, very well thought through and a refreshing perspective on these sectors' challenges. I hope I get the opportunity to introduce future employers to it!

What a wonderful book. Very insightful and humorous for those of us working in this sector. Makes you feel understood. The intro letter is also very empowering!

Am loving this book as I think about how my consulting business can add value to the non profit world.

Book for work

DONT BUY THE KINDDLE VERSION. The pages are cut. I feel ripped off. I didn't get the whole book. The publishers owe me money.Our nonprofit is a b2b (i.e. we deliver services to other NPOs). I was planning to write a review about this book in our fall newsletter. I bought the kindle version. Sadly the pages are cut so I cannot read the whole page. Second, I was surprised that the pages are just images so readers cannot select or highlight text or even zoom in. I am short-sighted and I cannot read the book on my phone without making the font larger or zooming in. The book format does not consider the needs of people like me, or people with special needs who use accessibility features in their phones/computers to read/listen to the text because the pages are images not text.What a waste of money. A 17 years old knows how to create a Kindle book. Why did not they at least OCR the content if they are so lazy to convert the images to text?I feel like a unicorn... a dreamer for believing that I will get value from this book