Foundations of Fundraising
The pearly kings and queens – fantastic fundraising
by Mark Astarita
Mark Astarita tells the charming story of the pearly kings and queens. With their colourful feathered hats and hand-sewn pearl button suits, the ‘pearlies’ are an instantly recognisable London institution dating back 150 years.
Read moreThe early Christian Church: Paul the apostle motivates his church’s donors – c. 56 AD
by SOFII-author
This could be the first ever appeal for regular, committed donors. In the early days of the Christian church the missionary Paul asked his supporters in the city of Corinth to set aside a small portion of their income regularly, to sustain victims of a famine and then later to support good works generally.
Read moreOxfam: Press ads from the 1950s and 1960s
by SOFII-author
These press advertisements really did change the course of fundraising in Britain. They helped Oxfam to grow into a substantial international charity. Though they might seem crude and simplistic now, these ads very effectively alerted the post-war British public to considerable humanitarian needs abroad.
Read moreA tribute to Terry A Murray
by George Smith
Terry Murray was a founder, former chairman and chief executive officer of Downes Murray International, the largest fundraising consultancy in South Africa. Terry started out in direct mail fundraising in 1962, building a company that went on to win international awards in the USA, Britain and Europe. The direct mail programmes run by DMI raise millions of rands each year not only from within South Africa but also from overseas donors.
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Harold Sumption, Guy Stringer, CBE and Sir Leslie Kirkley, CBE
by George Smith
A profile of Britain’s founding fathers of modern fundraising
Read moreSome closing remarks: more on fundraising legend Guy Stringer
by Ken Burnett
For many years the closing remarks at the International Fund Raising Congress (the gathering of professional fundraisers from around the world that takes place each year outside Amsterdam, in the Netherlands) were delivered by Guy Stringer, formerly director of Oxfam, one-time senior executive with a major manufacturing company and now one of fundraising's most eminent and respected gentlemen.
Read moreThe 11 pillars of fundraising wisdom – plus the five assumptions that underpin effective fundraising
by Ken Burnett
In this noisy, brash and insincere world, how can fundraisers and their organisations stand out and be understood when much of the ground we would occupy is not our exclusive preserve? Indeed, our traditional territory tends to be crowded with other occupants who also posture, to the same audiences we wish to inspire, as ‘socially concerned’ and ‘worthwhile’, so we nonprofits have to struggle to be distinctive and different.
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