Foundations of Fundraising
Matched funding challenge boosts Ken Burnett’s latest 500-mile quest
by SOFII
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Chip Grizzard, the first £7,500 Ken raises will now be doubled! Could you help Ken reach his goal and raise even more for SOFII?
Read moreReinventing the future of fundraising – a seminar by Ken Burnett
by SOFII
Originally an invitation only event for executives at Australian charities, this inspiring and informative seminar is a must watch for all fundraisers. Ken offers over an hour of practical and tangible ideas that will help you reinvent the future of fundraising at your organisation. Secure your exclusive recording today.
Read moreThe Westminster Abbey Appeal
by Damian Chapman
Damian Chapman celebrates the Westminster Abbey Appeal of 1953. A massive £1 million was needed to repair the damage caused by German attacks during WWII, but the Abbey’s appeal started off slowly. Keep reading to find out how the fundraisers involved reached their target.
Read moreThe Aberfan Disaster Memorial Fund – Wales, 1966
by Alex Day
Alex Day shares what fundraisers can learn from the Aberfan disaster in 1966. Based on his superb presentation at I Wish I’d Thought of That (IWITOT) 2024, this article explores the tragic landslide in Aberfan, Wales and the bravery of those who stepped up to help.
Read moreOxfam: ‘Stay in the Fight’ legacy campaign
by Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo
This super film from Oxfam marked their return to legacy marketing after a period focussing on other fundraising streams. Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo shares how the team carefully crafted one minute of moving and effective creative.
Read moreLegacy brochures from 90 years ago – what’s the same and what’s different to today?
by Marina Jones
This is a rare ‘legacy edition’ from our ever-growing fundraising history project. Marina Jones has uncovered some gems in The Salvation Army archive, two legacy brochures from the 1930s. In this article she looks at what’s stayed the same (Marina found ten things!), as well as what’s changed, when it comes to talking to donors about making a gift in their will.
Read moreNothing can or should substitute for philanthropy
by Simone Joyaux
This is a new, yet old, addition to the Simone Joyaux Archive on SOFII. Written in April 2009, Simone talks about the differences between revenue and charitable gifts, and why customers and donors are not one in the same. She certainly had a point that still rings true today: Nothing substitutes for donors. Nothing. Ever. Never.
Read moreInclusion 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.
Read moreWhat can 6,000 fundraising appeals from 1912 teach you about asking for money?
by Marina Jones
In part one of this series on William Harvey Allen’s review of 6,000 fundraising appeals, Marina Jones noted that the challenges fundraisers face hasn’t really changed much in 100+ years. But today, Marina looks at what these historical appeals can teach us about how we ask for money from donors. Dive in to discover ten key lessons.
Read moreWhat can 6,000 appeal letters show you about fundraising 100 years ago?
by Marina Jones
In 1912, researcher William Harvey Allen studied an incredible 6,000 fundraising appeals – and then wrote a book about it. In some ways, it’s a bit like an early SOFII, a place where Allen documented the fundraising tips (and mistakes) of his time. Marina Jones takes you through Allen’s findings and shares some of the ways in which fundraising hasn’t changed.
Read moreTen 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!
Read moreHow do you say thank you for 41 million eggs?
by Marina Jones
Fundraising history, donor recognition, supporter experience and thanking. This one has it all! Dive in and explore the many virtues of this World War One (WWI) National Egg Collection campaign. There’s plenty to inspire you and your fundraising, today.
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