Basics of fundraising

15 things I would do if I were the new head of donor development, part 1

by Ken Burnett

This list came about when a US journal for fundraisers asked me to imagine I’d just started in a new job, with a clean slate and sufficient resources to set about transforming the donor development function. It’s included here to help anyone in an even vaguely similar situation. And to help me set out my philosophy of donor development.

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The Fundraising Cycle: the shortest book on fundraising, ever

book cover

by Redmond Mullin

Great tips on all you need to make fundraising complete.

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We can boost donor retention. But only if we get smart

by Chuck Longfield

Chuck Longfield created a SOFII classic with his last interview Data is Gold, providing SOFII readers with free access to real fundraising gems hidden within their donor files. Today SOFII enthusiastically adds part two, an in-depth conversation with Chuck that draws out five more golden nuggets of smartness.

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Presentation: 19 ways nonprofit organisations can use social media to connect with donors

by Tim Bete

This presentation from Tim Bete, fundraising director at St. Mary Development Corporation USA, will get you thinking about how you use social media and offers some great advice on how to make the most of this free marketing tool.

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Lessons for fundraisers from yesterday’s cigarette advertising: instructive campaign images from the 1930s, 40s and 50s

by Ken Burnett

This article has been on SOFII for some time, but I have a feeling we didn’t actually tell anyone. We hang our heads in shame and urge you to check out some astonishing cigarette adverts – and what campaigners and fundraisers can learn from them.

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Feed the Children’s ‘baby box’

by SOFII

This is a story of classic product development. The baby box was devised specifically to respond to the need to maintain giving at a time when donor interest was flagging and the idea for it came from the best possible place – the charity workers on the front line. But the logic behind this initiative was unarguable and it proved to have lasting public appeal.

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