Arts and education fundraising

This is a collection of creative approaches to fundraising in education and the arts. Successful fundraising in the arts and educations sectors is merely a matter of knowing which buttons are which and pushing only the right ones. Easier said than done, of course.

Ten fundraising truths inspired by Booker T. Washington

by Marina Jones

Booker T. Washington was the first president of the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). But did you know he was also a skilled fundraiser? In this article, Marina Jones shares ten fundraising truths based on Washington’s success and insight. Dive in and be inspired!

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Celebrating donor recognition through history and exploring why it works

by Marina Jones

Join Marina Jones as she shares a selection of her favourite examples of donor recognition. Dating back to mediaeval times, this is a wonderful (and sometimes weird) collection of ways that donors have been recognised for their gifts. 

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Stripes Social Cooperative – ‘Make legality blossom. Turn the world into a beautiful place.’

by Caterina Ferrari

How a small organisation managed to spread the culture of giving internally, leading to its employees developing a very strong donor community. 

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The University of Manchester: Emergency hardship appeal

by Jemma Gurr

In a difficult time, this appeal demonstrates the power of reaching out to your community and simply asking for their help.

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Ministry of Stories: Hoxton Street Monster Supply Store

by SOFII

Fiendish fun in this creative shop that raises funds for the children's writing and mentoring centre on the same premises that is accessed through a secret door. 

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Durham Cathedral in LEGO: innovative buy-a-brick fundraising

by Sue Kershaw

An innovative version of traditional buy-a-brick fundraising with a spectacular totaliser and easily replicable as a fundraising mechanic. 

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Sanitation First’s fundraising challenge with a local primary school

by SOFII

Here is the inspirational tale of St Phillip’s primary school in Bath, who teamed up with Sanitation First to raise money for the construction of a well and provide clean drinking water and an ecosan toilet for Kouma, a village in Sierra Leone.

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Whitney Museum of American Art: Curate Your Own Membership

by SOFII

A unique example of a membership model that allows members to select what they want based on interest and useage not on traditional demographics.

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Emory University’s Blue Pig Campaign

by SOFII

Emory University started the Blue Pig Campaign to encourage its undergraduate students to give to the university and foster good links for alumni fundraising by using a Facebook account and Twitter profile.

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Camp Rising Sun: the impact of an infographic

by SOFII

This infographic is visually appealing, uses technology available to organisations of all sizes and demonstrates the key fundamentals of fundraising – make a compelling case for support and demonstrate to your donors the impact of their gifts.

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University of Leeds: The calendar appeal

Dr Christopher Davidson shows the superb front cover of the calendar.

by SOFII

This excellent mail appeal was a success thanks to a very smart theme where alumni shared their experiences and memories of their time at the University of Leeds. To check out the calendar and full creative, click read more.

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University of Leeds: direct mail cash appeal to alumni

The letter and reply form.

by SOFII

The direct mail appeal that raised more in 12 weeks than the University had raised in their previous eight years of sending mail appeals.

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