The Fundraiser’s Toolbox

You know that fundraising is hard work. To be successful you need to be well equipped to take on all its challenges. At SOFII, we thought you might like some help. So we’ve put together this fundraiser’s toolbox that we’ll be filling with essential examples, formats, articles, case studies, ideas and tips that we think every fundraiser should know about.

Is your donor a Spiderman, Batman or a Wonder Woman?

by Marina Jones

Superheroes have a unique backstory that makes them who they are and shapes their narrative. But in fundraising, your donor has an ‘origin story’ too. Marina Jones believes that making an effort to learn more about your donor’s story can give you an insight into why they choose to give – and help you build supporter loyalty.

Read more

Age UK: Cadbury ‘Donate Your Words’ corporate partnership

by Rebecca Broad

It’s not often that a chocolate bar stops you in your tracks and makes you want to start talking (and donating) to a charity helping older people. But in this case study, you’ll discover how Age UK’s superbly executed brand and fundraising campaign raised both money and awareness in a clever, captivating, and caring way.

Read more

When fundraising collapsed – are we ready for a new era of responsible fundraising?

by Giles Pegram CBE

As we enter another year in fundraising, Giles Pegram is pausing to look back. In this article, he reflects on some important moments in his time as a fundraiser – from 1983 to the present. Giles also refers to the lessons found in the Commission on the Donor Experience and offers fundraisers ten tips that he believes will help you usher in a new era of responsible fundraising.

Read more

Nothing can or should substitute for philanthropy

by Simone Joyaux

This is a new, yet old, addition to the Simone Joyaux Archive on SOFII. Written in April 2009, Simone talks about the differences between revenue and charitable gifts, and why customers and donors are not one in the same. She certainly had a point that still rings true today: Nothing substitutes for donors. Nothing. Ever. Never.

Read more

Beyond words – how thanking can transform your relationship with your charity’s supporters

by Mark Phillips

The all-important thank you. After each donation, the thank you sets the tone for what could be a good or bad supporter experience. Yet so often, the thank you becomes automated, forgotten, or worse still – left out of the donor journey on purpose. In this article, Mark Phillips shares why he thinks improving your thanking can be transformational to the relationship you have with your supporters.

Read more

From the Myth Smashers: Do donors really love having a brick with their name on it?

by Kellie O’Sullivan

When it comes to capital campaigns, 2022 Myth Smashers winner Kellie O’Sullivan isn’t sure putting your donor’s name on a brick is strictly necessary. She thinks it’s less about the brick and mortar or the physical building – and more about ‘building’ a legacy that lays the foundations of community, connection, and collaboration.

Read more

From the Myth Smashers: Guess what? Mid value donors are not major donors in disguise!

by Kate Rule

Just like the cliché of the middle child, mid value donors can sometimes be forgotten, ignored, or swept up in other segments. But 2023 Myth Smashers winner Kate Rule believes that mid value donors are not major donors in disguise! Keep reading to discover why Kate wants you to rethink your stewardship strategy for mid value donors.

Read more

Supporter care – it’s the best investment you can make in fundraising

by Ralph Welch

Ralph Welch didn’t expect his chance encounter with a Women’s Super League customer service team to make him think much about fundraising. But an unexpected response after a recent purchase made him reflect on charities and supporter care. Read on to find out more and learn a few top tips.

Read more

Asking your donors the right way – six tips to build relationships and giving

by George Crankovic

Fundraisers, we all know it can be hard to make the ask. Whether you need to speak to your donor in person or on paper, it’s not easy to ask for the donations that your organisation and your beneficiaries need. In this article, copywriter and consultant George Crankovic shares six useful tips to help you make that all-important request. 

Read more

New research says the cost of living crisis doesn’t have to be a ‘cost of giving’ crisis

by Lizi Zipser

A new study by agency Blue State looks at how people in the UK are engaging with charities. This research into UK giving behaviours, through the cost of living crisis, shows a mood of cautious generosity among the UK public. Click to read an overview then download the full report today.

Read more

Recasting the ‘middle man’ - the role of charities in the age of disintermediation (part two)

by Meredith Niles

In part two of our series on the role of disintermediation in charitable giving, Meredith Niles  discusses why disintermediated giving could be more attractive than traditional charitable giving (in some situations). She also shares some of the ways in which charities might respond to these changes in donor giving patterns.

Read more

Recasting the ‘middle man’ - the role of charities in the age of disintermediation (part one)

by Meredith Niles

In part one of a two-part series on the role of disintermediation in charitable giving, Meredith Niles takes an in-depth look at how the public responded philanthropically to the war in Ukraine. She draws on several research studies to look at donor motivations and help you answer the question, ‘should fundraisers be concerned that people might stop giving via charities altogether?’

Read more