Foundations of Fundraising
Celebrating donor recognition through history and exploring why it works

by Marina Jones
Join Marina Jones as she shares a selection of her favourite examples of donor recognition. Dating back to mediaeval times, this is a wonderful (and sometimes weird) collection of ways that donors have been recognised for their gifts.
Read moreThe wit and wisdom of George Smith - Introduction and contents

by Joe Burnett
Joe Burnett introduces a new series on SOFII featuring the wit and wisdom of legendary fundraising guru and master wordsmith, George Smith.
Read moreFive insights for fundraisers from the British Red Cross Museum of Kindness

by Mark Phillips
We’ve been meaning to get this gem on SOFII for a while, and we hope you love this bit of fundraising history as much as we do. In this article Mark Phillips shares what he saw on his visit to the British Red Cross Museum of Kindness and shares what fundraisers can learn from their exhibition of wonderful things.
Read moreInternational Committee of the Red Cross: Helping victims of the Turkish-Greek conflict

by ICRC
Discover how efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) proved decisive in helping the victims of a brutal conflict.
Read moreDecolonised fundraising that works: myth or reality?

by Lizi Zipser
How can we go about decolonising fundraising communications? This article delves into the complexities of addressing the issue and shares a report with valuable case studies that you can learn from if you decide to make similar changes to your fundraising.
Read moreThe wit and wisdom of George Smith - Seriously, let’s be silly

by George Smith
When writing his regular article back in 1993, George Smith mused on how we use language, the dangers of taking opinions as gospel, and why it’s good to be silly.
Read moreThe wit and wisdom of George Smith - Où est le chat?

by George Smith
Are you a chatty bleeder? The great George Smith certainly was and in this funny article he tells the truth about what the chattiest direct marketers have on the brain.
Read moreFundraising at the intersection of Blackness and Womanhood

by Kia Croom
We are delighted to bring you this podcast and article by Washington, DC based fundraiser Kia Croom. Kia brings you closer to the experiences of Black female fundraisers and reflects on a sector that isn’t practicing what it preaches.
Read moreCampaigning fundraisers can change the world

by SOFII
What is the future of fundraising? Will it be a bright one after the pandemic? Yes, says Ken Burnett. In fact, fundraisers like you can change the world.
Read moreFundraising and activism – Marcus Rashford’s campaign to save free school meals

by Lianne Howard-Dace
This is a powerful and personal tribute to a campaign that forced the UK government into a famous U-turn – and ensured children in need would not miss out on a daily free school meal during the summer holidays. The campaign evolved, demonstrating powerful campaigning and fundraising, while raising millions of pounds for charity along the way.
Read moreMatched funding challenge has doubled donations for Ken Burnett’s 500-mile quest

by SOFII
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Chip Grizzard and his team at Grizzard Global Consulting and Idearaising, the first £7,500 Ken raised will now be doubled! Could you help Ken reach his new goal and raise even more for SOFII?
Read more800-year-old direct marketing knowhow, alive and well in the 21st Century

by Denny Hatch
Fundraisers, Denny Hatch reminds you to ‘steal smart!’. It’s just one of his takeaways from this incredible story of the Crystal Cathedral in California and the way it cleverly took cues from an appeal made 800 years earlier.
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