The main areas of fundraising
How we do it – crafting SOFII’s special thank you letters
by Joanna Culling
At SOFII, we believe that great donor care is important. But it can be difficult to get right. So, while we aren’t perfect, we strive to try our best and practice what we preach. SOFII is a tiny charity, and we know the challenges that can crop up when you’re low on resource and short on time. This article gives you a little insight into how we thank our own donors.
Read moreExploring the evolution and trends of mid-level fundraising
by Simon Dickson
What is the difference between major and mid-level giving? What changes are we seeing after years of traditional mid-level programmes? What charities have been innovating in this area of fundraising? In a special long read written especially for SOFII, Simon Dickson explores all these questions and kick starts your thinking about what mid-level giving could look like at your charity.
Read moreChatGPT and fundraising – what do you need to know? (part two)
by Cherian Koshy
In the second instalment of our series on ChatGPT and fundraising, SOFII talks to Cherian Koshy – the founder of a platform that democratises access to artificial intelligence and machine learning for nonprofit organisations. Dive in and explore Cherian’s in-depth insights and opinions on ChatGPT for fundraisers.
Read moreChatGPT and fundraising – what do you need to know? (part one)
by SOFII
You’ve probably heard about ChatGPT. You might have read about how it could revolutionise (or destroy) everything from internet searches to journalism. But as fundraisers, what do you really need to know? In part one of a two-part piece, we ask three digital fundraisers to give us their opinions on ChatGPT.
Read moreThe Legacy Showcase – where fundraisers share inspiring campaigns
by SOFII
SOFII knows that fundraisers like you understand the importance of legacy fundraising and are seeking new ideas to inform and inspire your work. Well look no further! The Legacy Showcase is a collection of short videos where fundraisers share their favourite legacy campaign and explain why they think it’s worthy of your admiration too.
Read moreI wish I’d thought of… charity shop Gift Aid
by Jonathan Cook
Charity shop Gift Aid. Is it fundraising history? Is it fundraising innovation? Is it a tax loophole for good? Honestly, it’s probably all three! Jonathan Cook takes you on the somewhat strange yet fascinating journey of how charity shops began making 25 per cent more for every pound they earned by simply selling the UK’s donated goods.
Read moreCelebrating 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.
Read moreIrregularity – is it the future of regular giving?
by Hannah Moysey
Recruiting regular donors, increasing engagement and reducing attrition are three things that feature in plenty of fundraising strategies. They remain a focus for good reason – all fundraisers want to help their cause with the reliable funds that a base of committed supporters brings. But what if the future of regular giving was less ‘regular’ and more ‘irregular’?
Read moreHercule Van Wolfwinkle: ‘Bad’ pet portraits fundraiser
by Tony Banks
What do ‘bad’ pet portraits have to do with fundraising? Click here to read the inspiring story of how one person raised more than £200,000 for charity – simply by drawing furry friends from around the world.
Read moreCharity e-commerce – learning from the best online shops in the sector
by Matt Smith
Fundraising, marketing and digital teams need to work together to improve charity e-commerce and offer a better user experience. Matt Smith shares examples from charities who are leading the way – delivering great customer support and ongoing communication. Read on to find out how you can turn a ‘transaction’ into a more meaningful supporter experience.
Read moreEverything IWITOT
by SOFII
This is your one-stop shop for all the latest on SOFII’s I Wish I’d Thought of That (IWITOT). If you want to attend an event, become a speaker, host your own IWITOT or revisit a past event – it is all right here.
Read moreLegacy seeds
by John Lepp
‘The ‘past’ truly can be a part of a glorious future’ – John Lepp explains why sprinkling some legacy seeds in your donor communications can lay the groundwork for future success.
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