The SOFII history project
Welcome to the SOFII history project! To be a great fundraiser you need to be aware of what has come before and there is no better place to explore our collective past than here. Have you heard of the first ever major donor dinner from 970 BC? Have you read the wise words of Moses Maimonedes, who explored the eight levels of giving 800 years ago? Are you aware of the ground-breaking campaigns from the Victorian era? All these treasures and many more can be found in the SOFII history project. Dive in to learn the valuable lessons of fundraisers past. You can find:
Take a trip in SOFII’s time machine: the SOFII history project - introduction and contents
Part 1: treasures from fundraising’s history here.
Part 2: the all-time fundraising greats here.
And Part 3: the legends of fundraising here.
The Statue of Liberty: Pulitzer’s fundraising for the pedestal
by Aditi Srivastav
Without the help of Joseph Pulitzer, who inspired 120,000 ordinary New Yorkers to donate a huge number of small donations, the 150ft tall Statue of Liberty would not be standing today on New York’s harbour.
Read moreHow the suffragettes became one of the most successful brands ever
by Aline Reed
You might be surprised to know that one of the most successful branding exercises ever was performed by the first suffragettes in Britain. They were, of course, notorious for their demonstrations of bravery, but also for the splendid ways they raised huge amounts of money to promote equality for women everywhere. One woman was so inspired that she donated £1000 a year – £80,000 in today’s value, to be paid until women were given the vote. You’ll find out lots more here.
Read moreNational Trust: recruiting members by the millions
by Aline Reed
Discover the story of Octavia Hill, an amazing fundraiser and co-founder of the highly successful and respected charity – the National Trust.
Read moreThe Absent-Minded Beggar: bigger than Band Aid?
by Aline Reed
The first-ever fundraising song? If you thought Band Aid was the first fundraising song ever, this’ll surprise you. Aline Reed has been digging around in the past and discovered a much earlier version created by a rather illustrious team – Rudyard Kipling and Sir Arthur Sullivan (without Gilbert this time). It’s not exactly rock and roll, but did raise the equivalent today of £25 million.
Read moreMagic moments: The founding of Cripplegate Foundation and North London Cares
by Aline Reed & Ken Burnett
There is a lot going on in this addition to SOFII’s founding magic moments. It has a wonderful ghost story and is a great example of a consistent donor relationship that has lasted over 500 years. And it shows how philanthropy moves on, changes and can help younger organisations do the same.
Read moreA fundraising challenge to raise money for a legendary expedition
by Aline Reed
Aline Reed comes up with another gem of fundraising memorabilia, this from the roaring twenties. Click here to see a wonderful idea that raised the funds to reach the top of Everest for the first time.
Read moreMagic moments part two: how some of the world’s best causes got started
by Aline Reed & Ken Burnett
SOFII casts its spotlight on the early instants of inspiration that gave rise to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Greenpeace, Centrepoint, Freedom from Torture, NSPCC, the Fred Hollows Foundation and University College London
Read moreThe Bhopal Medical Appeal grabs every opportunity to tell good stories
by SOFII
This ad turns that spying to its advantage by showing two senior executives of Dow, through some inspirational stories, how they would save money if they helped the people instead and it would most likely be more fulfilling as well.
Read moreMagic moments part one: how small beginnings inspire great causes
by Aline Reed & Ken Burnett
In this article Aline Reed and Ken Burnett describe some great founding moments – how small beginnings can inspire great causes.
Read moreUnited Negro College Fund: David Ogilvy’s letter
by SOFII
Go back in time to meet one of the commuters who, in 1968, found this superb letter from David Ogilvy on the seat of the train taking him home to his comfortable New York suburb.
Read moreThe Salvation Army’s ‘self-denial fund’
by Sarah Bond
The Salvation Army’s archive includes fundraising gems from over 150 years ago. In this article Sarah Bond shares an original draft appeal letter from The Salvation Army’s founder General William Booth. She also takes a look the evolution of their ‘self-denial fund’ donation envelopes.
Read moreGreat Ormond Street Hospital: Christmas mailing from 1941
by Aline Reed
This direct mail appeal from 1941 has everything. Charm, courage, dedication and, perhaps most importantly, it is brilliantly innovative too. Plus, how many mailings have been preserved for 70 years and then end up being sold? Find out more in this great case study.
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