Best of the best showcase
Many times we’ve been asked ‘How do I find the very best of SOFII’s exhibits?’ So look no further, the best of the best are right here. This section honours fundraisers who have really made a difference by creating campaigns that have changed the way we do what we do. If you know of a fundraising promotion or campaign that really was an industry game-changer, please submit it today to be considered for a place amongst the best of the best.
SOFII’s best of the best showcase - introduction and contents
by SOFII
This showcase collates all the greatest fundraising campaigns currently on SOFII. Be prepared to be inspired and amazed by the very best fundraising ever. And you can suggest other appeals or projects that resonated with you as well.
Read moreTwo of the greatest fundraising letters ever written
by Denny Hatch
In this fascinating article, marketing giant Denny Hatch presents two of the greatest fundraising letters of all time, and explains the complex, sometimes murky, story of how they came about.
Read moreNSPCC’s Full Stop campaign - SOFII’s view
by Ken Burnett
As we come to the end of the story of the NSPCC's unparalleled Full Stop campaign, SOFII founder Ken Burnett shares his praise for such a powerful, donor-focused appeal.
Read moreThe treehouse of knowledge – the 34 fundamental foundations of fundraising
by Ken Burnett
Of all the nuggets of essential fundraising knowledge buried within all the lists, books and articles ever written, which would be the one list, that you’d choose to hang directly above your space, your workplace? This is that list.
Read moreBhopal Medical Appeal: press advertisements
by Indra Sinha
On one awful night in 1984 the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, India exploded sending clouds of poisonous gas across the city that would kill tens of thousands of people and inflict misery and suffering on future generations. Thus began the Bhopali people’s search for justice and treatment, which led to the founding of the BMA, whose advertisements have become the symbols of a crime that, more than 25 years later, still inflicts unimaginable suffering and still goes unpunished. The Bhopal Medical Appeal campaigns to change this, through its fundraising.
Read moreCPAR: ‘plant a tree in Ethiopia’ mailing
by SOFII
Ethiopia has to be one of the most difficult fundraising markets in the world. Yet this pack produced results that most more sophisticated fundraisers can only dream of.
Read moreRyton Gardens: recyclable mailing
by SOFII
Ryton Garden’s famous recyclable mailing is one of the best ever examples of the benefits fundraisers can realise when they show that they really understand their donors.
Read moreGreenpeace’s optimistic tick-box suggestion: the ‘Stop Thorp’ campaign court case mailing
by Carolina Herrera
This exhibit works on many levels. At first glance the reply form opposite looks innocuous enough but really it’s a brilliant illustration of how, in times of need, donors will respond warmly to help a cause when it is clearly in trouble.
Read moreUNICEF: the Change for Good® campaign
by SOFII
For more than 15 years UNICEF has raised many, many millions for the world’s poorest children from the simple but brilliant idea of collecting travellers’ unwanted foreign coins.
Read moreHelp the Aged: ‘you have this gift’ direct mail pack
by SOFII
Both the text on the envelope and the incentive in this classic direct mail pack from the 1980s have been copied frequently.
Read moreBritish Red Cross: the £7.7 billion appeal that changed British fundraising forever
by SOFII
The Duke of Gloucester’s Red Cross and St John Appeal Fund is the largest charitable fund in the history of British fundraising, raising the equivalent of £7.7 billion. This monumental exhibit should be read by all.
Read moreDr Barnardo’s Homes: four fundraising greats from the distant past
by SOFII
Dr Thomas Barnardo was one of the Victorian era's great philanthropists. These archive examples of his personal fundraising style and efforts are a unique treasure for the body of fundraising knowledge and best practice.
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