Aline Reed
A fundraising challenge to raise money for a legendary expedition
by Aline Reed
Aline Reed comes up with another gem of fundraising memorabilia, this from the roaring twenties. Click here to see a wonderful idea that raised the funds to reach the top of Everest for the first time.
Read moreGreat Ormond Street Hospital: Christmas mailing from 1941
by Aline Reed
This direct mail appeal from 1941 has everything. Charm, courage, dedication and, perhaps most importantly, it is brilliantly innovative too. Plus, how many mailings have been preserved for 70 years and then end up being sold? Find out more in this great case study.
Read moreHeart and soul: Charles Dickens on the passion and power of fundraising
by Aline Reed
‘Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.’ Charles Dickens.
Read moreHow the suffragettes became one of the most successful brands ever
by Aline Reed
You might be surprised to know that one of the most successful branding exercises ever was performed by the first suffragettes in Britain. They were, of course, notorious for their demonstrations of bravery, but also for the splendid ways they raised huge amounts of money to promote equality for women everywhere. One woman was so inspired that she donated £1000 a year – £80,000 in today’s value, to be paid until women were given the vote. You’ll find out lots more here.
Read moreNational Trust: recruiting members by the millions
by Aline Reed
Discover the story of Octavia Hill, an amazing fundraiser and co-founder of the highly successful and respected charity – the National Trust.
Read moreOnce upon a time…Oxfam and Remember Me
by Aline Reed
Aline isn’t too sure if the technology used in this great way to use stories to sell goods in Oxfam shops wasn’t a little too sophisticated. Anybody out there have any further information?
Read moreTank Banks: more sensational fundraising from the First World War
by Aline Reed
Now for something completely different: give a tank to thank your donors. Okay, this is a little cheeky, there aren’t many of us today who can give a tank as a special thank you. But we can create pride and excitement in our donors, just like the Tank Banks back in 1919.
Read moreThe Absent-Minded Beggar: bigger than Band Aid?
by Aline Reed
The first-ever fundraising song? If you thought Band Aid was the first fundraising song ever, this’ll surprise you. Aline Reed has been digging around in the past and discovered a much earlier version created by a rather illustrious team – Rudyard Kipling and Sir Arthur Sullivan (without Gilbert this time). It’s not exactly rock and roll, but did raise the equivalent today of £25 million.
Read moreUnbound: the reinvention of an idea that flourished 200 years ago
by Aline Reed
This is a strange one. It the reinvention of an idea that was flourishing two hundred years ago, yet has left the notion of 'traditional' charities behind. Maybe even the sponsors don't see themselves as donors, but it's clear that this scheme contains all the ingredients of good fundraising – tangible need, a target, donor reward, donor recognition and the chance to support again.
Read moreUniversity College London: the ‘paper head’ Christmas appeal
by Aline Reed
It’s not surprising that University College London’s brief to bring philosopher and jurist Jeremy Bentham back to life to raise funds caused Aline Reed to, in her words, ‘frown, ask “you want me to do what” and generally feel rather puzzled for a number of days. But after undertaking some research she and Mark Phillips came up with the idea of a ‘ransom in reverse’. Intrigued? This exhibit reveals the fantastic results.
Read moreWhat kind of advert would your supporters make, for you?
by Aline Reed
In this thought-provoking article, Aline Reed questions the power of big brands versus audience generated content in the world of advertising. Would you let your donors write and design your next advert?
Read moreAbout the author
Aline Reed is a freelance copywriter and creative. She worked for fourteen years at Bluefrog, a London-based agency that specialises in fundraising, where she progressed from copywriter to creative director. She has written fundraising campaigns for all kinds of organisations – charities, museums, galleries and universities. Her work has successfully run internationally in the Netherlands, US, Australia, Ireland as well as the UK. Away from fundraising, she writes book reviews for the Sunday Express and blogs about books and travelling.
