“A masterclass in persuasion, performance, and psychology, The Tao of Fundraising reveals how to navigate the invisible forces of human nature and capital flow to transform great ideas into fully funded ventures.”
The Tao of Fundraising
John Kim
Kim’s book delivers a blunt but necessary truth: the best ideas often go unfunded—not because they’re bad, but because their creators don’t understand how capital flows.
Fundraising is the most neglected art in modern business. Most MBA courses and coaching advice focus on what to do after a business has secured investment. The Tao of Fundraising seeks to fill that void.
No one understands fundraising like John Kim, who has used these concepts to raise more than $70 billion over the course of his career. Here, he lays out all the concepts that allowed him to rise to the top of the fundraising world.
This isn’t just a book about money—it’s a masterclass in human nature and the invisible forces that separate good ideas from funded ones.
ABOUT
One part how-to, one part psychological study, and one part spiritual guide, The Tao breaks down the fundraising process and all the skills necessary to convince skeptical investors to place their money in your business.
To overcome a system designed to keep money out of reach and the natural hesitancy of investors, you need:
The conceptual frameworks to understand how fundraising works in practice.
The practical processes that allow a fundraiser to “sell” their investment.
The psychological principles that enable a fundraiser to persuade skeptical investors to ignore their fears and trust the investment.
The performance skills to close the deal.
Drawing from ancient philosophy, modern psychology, economics, and decades of frontline experience, Kim reveals the deeper dynamics that drive fundraising at the highest level.
What People Are Saying
“A compelling read for those interested in the art of fundraising.”
— David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group
“Kimmer is a grandmaster magician who has chosen to share his secrets with an abundance that is, simply, his way of being. This book is a treasure trove of life wisdom that transcends the realm of fundraising. Read it, practice it, live it, and you will be transformed.”
— Josh Waitzkin, author The Art of Learning
“John Kim has had a profoundly transformational impact on General Catalyst and the broader venture capital ecosystem, shaping not only how firms invest but how they build enduring partnerships. The Tao of Fundraising distills his philosophy into a compelling framework—one that marries technical mastery with the deeper art of authentic relationship building.”
— David Fialkow, co-founder of General Catalyst
“Behind every successful fundraise lies an invisible architecture—built on clarity, empathy, and narrative alignment. John Kim reveals the blueprint that the greatest fundraisers follow instinctively and teaches how to master it—to lead and succeed in the new era of private markets.”
— Thomas Terrats, co-founder and CEO of Vessel, an online marketplace for high net worth individuals to find and make illiquid investments
“Raising capital is an essential but understudied part of finance, and this book distills decades of experience from one of fundraising’s most accomplished veterans to address that critical gap. Its lessons go beyond winning over clients to building lasting partnerships for change. Yes, you will learn how to close deals, but more importantly, you will learn how to open transformational doors.”
— Anton Orlich, Managing Investment Director, CalPERS
“John is one of the best fundraisers alive and he’s written a book that demystifies a hugely valuable skill. I have pages of notes.”
— Patrick O’Shaughnessy, CEO of O’Shaughnessy Ventures and host of Invest Like the Best
“John is recognized as one of the top money raisers in a generation. His amazing tell-all financial book should be devoured by every business leader and ambitious student.”
— Jerry Della Femina, CEO of Della Femina Partners and legendary ad executive