SPOTLIGHT ON DIRECT MAIL

Free video workshops for fundraisers

Direct mail clinics – Introduction and contents

by Joanna Culling

Welcome to the Agents of Good (AOG) free direct mail clinics. These 11 useful video lessons offer you tried and tested tips that will make your direct mail appeals more engaging and effective. Please explore all the clinics and share them widely with your fundraising friends.

Direct mail clinic #4 – What goes in the box?

by Carolina Herrera

You probably know what goes in a direct marketing fundraising appeal, but do you know why each piece is there? And do you know why making simple changes to those pieces can have an impact on the success of your campaign? John Lepp has these answers and more, in his next direct mail clinic. 

Direct mail clinic #5 – A letter autopsy

by Carolina Herrera

How confident are you in your letter writing? Are you looking for some useful tips before you write your next appeal? In clinic five, John takes on fundraising letters and shares some simple, effective tricks that will help you engage with your donors and raise more money. 

LATEST CASE STUDIES

Fantastic fundraising campaigns from around the world

Youth PWR: Face-to-face funds youth empowerment initiatives

by Dee Onigbanjo

For a young, emerging charity, trying out a new form of fundraising can be a daunting prospect. But we hope this face-to-face (F2F) fundraising success story will motivate others to be brave and bold. 

The IUCN and Lacoste: ‘Save Our Species’ partnership

by Manon Oliver

The results of this partnership speak for themselves. Funds raised – tick. Awareness raised – tick. Endangered species saved – tick. Keep reading to find out why Oxfam’s Manon Oliver admires what is a truly creative collaboration. 

Sumatran Orangutan Society: ‘The Long Call’ supporter update

by Rhia Docherty

This case study gives fundraisers like you a masterclass in merging a great supporter experience with a fantastic appeal sent via the post. It features a supporter update that not only brings conservation to life for the donor but inspires them to keep on giving too. 

LATEST ARTICLES

Expert opinions, insights and how-to guides to inform your fundraising

Join the SOFII board - could you be our new honorary treasurer?

by Lynda Harwood-Compton

We are looking to recruit a new trustee with a passion for finance, who will also serve as our honorary treasurer and chair SOFII’s finance and resources committee. This vital role will help ensure our small charity is able to manage its financial resources strategically and prudently, so we can reach even more fundraisers around the world.

Fundraising in India – Exploring why face-to-face continues to grow

by Ryan Valasapali and Dominic Will

As Gather Campaigns work to expand face-to-face (F2F) fundraising in India, Ryan Valasapali and Dominic Will explore the cultural similarities and differences that determine how F2F can grow in new, international markets.

Legacies through the lens of faith

by Naomi Collison

In an increasingly multicultural world, how we engage and inspire donors from different backgrounds and faiths is important. This article explores the unique traditions and beliefs that underlie faiths and looks at how religion frames philanthropy.

SOFII’S MOST POPULAR

Your shortcut to our must-see examples of fundraising inspiration

Unleash the might of the donor – power as a component of a fundraising plan

by Mark Phillips

Your donors want to make a difference. But sometimes when they give, they aren’t sure if their generosity is making an impact. In this article, Mark Phillips shares three techniques you can add to your fundraising appeals. Each one will help ensure your donors know that they DO have the power to make a difference.

Inclusion or disillusion – how do LGBT+ people in the UK feel about giving to charity?

by Amy Nield

The LGBT+ community represents a huge and growing demographic with considerable giving power. For charities and fundraisers, understanding how to engage this group has never been more important. In this report from sector specialists Consider, their team found out how LGBT+ people in the UK really feel about giving to charities. 

Lar da Menina: ‘Blessed Beetle’ raffle

by João Paulo Vergueiro

Meet the wonderful fundraising nuns of Lar da Menina in Brazil, and pick up some tips from their unique and very successful ‘Blessed Beetle’ raffle.