Top tips & how tos
The focus in this section is on practical ‘how to’ lists. Here the world's leading fundraisers share the distilled wisdom of their experience in digestible bite-sized nuggets that you can use immediately.
Two days in Dublin: fundraising inspiration in Ireland’s capital – part two
by Joe Burnett
In this report we look at two sessions from Australia-based data and dm expert Sean Triner on mid-level donors and legacies and governance guru Simone Joyaux’s rallying cry for creating extraordinary experiences.
Read moreTwo days in Dublin: fundraising inspiration in Ireland’s capital
by Joe Burnett
SOFII attended the Ask Direct Summer School, one of 2016’s most inspirational world class fundraising seminars. We were treated to thought-provoking, intriguing and engaging sessions by some of the sector’s leading lights. Here's part one of our reports.
Five big reasons your fundraising results could be better
by Rachel Beer
Rachel Beer asks what are the big things that make the really big differences to your fundraising results?
Following the fold
by Lyndall Stein
Lyndall Stein shows that you're never too old to learn some new tricks and passes on some fundraising tips for the young from the old.
Read moreHarold Sumption: the shy pioneer
by Joanna Culling
In this addition to SOFII’s Fundraising Legends series, Joanna Culling talks to Ken Burnett, who proudly shares the full text of Harold’s only published material – Yesterday’s trail-blazing and pointers for tomorrow.
Read moreThe treehouse of knowledge – the 34 fundamental foundations of fundraising
by Ken Burnett
Of all the nuggets of essential fundraising knowledge buried within all the lists, books and articles ever written, which would be the one list, that you’d choose to hang directly above your space, your workplace? This is that list.
Read moreA new approach to fundraising – why you should be accessing your donors’ networks
by Richard Turner
It’s time to ring the changes in the way we raise money. Rather than just looking at our donors’ financial capital says Richard Turner, we could be using their social capital to make fundraising so much better for them and our causes.
Read moreAsk-phobia: how to overcome ask aversion
by Rory Green
If the thought of asking someone for money, in person, over the phone, or in a letter, makes you break out in a sweat here are five simple tips from Rory Green to help you out.
Read moreIt’s time to create a strategy for your website that will increase your fundraising
by Beate Sørum
If you follow these five steps you will create a strategy that will make the content of your website work hard for you and your donors happy.
Read moreMusings of a direct response fundraiser no. 2: finding the ‘sweet spot’
by Jonathon Grapsas
Our job as fundraisers is to find the sweet spot: an amount that is appropriate to that donor at that time. In his second article on the musings of a direct response fundraiser Jonathon Grapsas shows exactly how to do it.
Read moreForcing or forging a relationship? Part 2: what makes a relationship?
by Charlie Hulme
If Pret A Manager, Pizza Express, or Starbucks were losing even half the amount of customers as we are they’d go out of business, says Charlie Hulme. And here he explains how we can be even better at customer, or rather, donor service than they are – and keep our donors from deserting us.
Read moreForcing or forging a relationship? Part 1: understanding your donors
by Charlie Hulme
This, the first of a three-part feature by Charlie Hulme, managing director, DonorVoice UK, kicks off an important new series for SOFII. Based upon evidence and experience rather than theory and opinion, Charlie’s first article spells out the crucial necessity of really understanding what your donors want from their relationship with you and your cause.
Read more
