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 (and extra special episodes) 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.

Spe­cial direct mail clin­ic – The one with Rachel Zant (on feelings!)

by Carolina Herrera

In the next spe­cial direct mail clin­ic, John Lepp and Rachel Zant talk to you about the importance of infusing emotion in your appeals. Yes, this clinic explores all the feelings - from happy to sad and everything in between. If you want to ensure your appeals are emotive and effective in 2026, this is a great place to start. 

Spe­cial direct mail clin­ic – The one with Danielle Wallace (on typography!)

by Carolina Herrera

Join John Lepp and his guest Danielle Wallace to look at the weird and wonderful world of typography. In this special direct mail clin­ic, Danielle starts by calling typography the ‘unsung hero of direct mail’, before giving you some tips that will help ensure your donor actually reads what you’re sending them.

LATEST CASE STUDIES

Fantastic fundraising campaigns from around the world

Age Action: ‘There is no fireside like your own’ direct mail

by Catherine Clarke

Finding new donors and reactivating lapsed supporters is a huge challenge for any charity. But this direct mail appeal from Age Action in Ireland combines a long letter with hardworking lift pieces and a super matched giving offer to create something special. 

WeRateDogs & 15/10 Foundation: Online fundraising campaign

by Kate McGranaghan Chow

Not all fundraising campaigns start as fundraising campaigns. WeRateDogs is a super example of this. In a fun and informative case study, Kate McGranaghan Chow highlights why fundraisers must capitalise on opportunities but still focus on the need, the impact and the mission of our organisations. 

Charity Right: ‘AI vs real people’ image test

by Jamal Abbas

There are a lot of potential uses for artificial intelligence (AI) in fundraising. Jamal Abbas shares how one charity set out to discover what worked better in an online fundraising campaign, AI generated images or those taken by a team of skilled photographers. 

LATEST ARTICLES

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

New research and free guidelines for fundraisers using AI-generated imagery

by Emma Bracegirdle

Confused about the implications of using AI-generated imagery in your fundraising? This research report and set of free guidelines can help your charity navigate the legal requirements and learn how to use AI images ethically.

Kindness is contagious – The simple fundraising strategy of a small charity

by Rebekah Jerram

Why is kindness contagious and how can it impact your fundraising? Based on her super presentation at I Wish I’d Thought of That (IWITOT) 2025, new voice Rebekah Jerram talks about why she admires the small charity 52 Lives and their simple, effective fundraising strategy. 

From the Myth Smashers: We can’t ask new patients to donate, or can we?

by Saarah Abdeen

Saarah Abdeen discusses the assumption that fundraisers shouldn’t ask new patients to donate. Keep reading and discover the personal experiences that got Saarah thinking about how and why we should finally smash this myth.

SOFII’S MOST POPULAR

Your shortcut to our must-see examples of fundraising inspiration

Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation: ‘Sharing a vulnerability’ emergency appeal

by Huong Thu Nguyen

Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam ensured urgency, consistency and transparency in their emergency appeal. As a result, the charity raised much-needed funds and recruited a number of new supporters – all during a time of crisis.

Dogs Trust: ‘Home from Home’ direct mail appeal

by Amber Gerrard-Maxwell

This bright, bold and compelling fundraising campaign from Dogs Trust exceeded all expectations. With a record number of dogs in need of homes, the ‘Home from Home’ appeal raised vital funds to expand the charity’s foster caring network. It smashed its targets and saved many dogs who had nowhere else to go. 

WSPA: ‘Big bear build’ and ‘big bear rescue’ appeals

by SOFII

This campaign clearly showed donors that they were highly valued by WSPA and that their support was making a difference. Having been on a journey with WSPA rescuing the captive bears since 2006, the donors were able to see the influence they had made as well as the change they could make possible now.