Opinion / features
Many of the issues that matter most to fundraisers are far from clear cut. Here, in a series of illustrated feature articles, seasoned practitioners and newcomers alongside leading figures from the world of fundraising are free to give vent to their passionately-held views and opinions. Join the big debates or study the side issues so you can work out your own view on what matters most.
Why I struggle to be proud to be a fundraiser.
by Giles Pegram CBE
Fundraisers at the Institute of Fundraising’s national convention in London this week were enthusiastically greeting the theme Proud to be a Fundraiser. But in this latest article on SOFII, celebrated fundraiser Giles Pegram claims that he struggles with the concept. Is he just being provocative? Find out here.
Read moreThe power of passion
by Per Stenbeck
In this moving personal account veteran fundraiser Per Stenbeck explains and introduces why passion underpins innovation for him. In the accompanying text below he then goes on to outline his three golden rules of fundraising.
Read moreRecession-proof fundraising: How to fundraise out of bad times
by Marc Pitman
Turn on any news show and you’ll hear analysts and pundits forecasting economic doom and gloom. Their reports are filled with words and phrases like ‘economic downturn’, ‘soft economy’ and the dreaded ‘recession’.
Read moreA day with the jam ladies
by Kimberley MacKenzie
In our first entry of this new inspiring showcase, Kimberley Mackenzie from Ontario Nature, Canada, shares her holiday memories and how one moving and touching day reminded her of the essential values of good fundraising and how to change the world.
Read moreWords count: Why fundraisers have to change what they say and how they say it
by Bob Levy
Over the last decade, the direct marketing industry has been smitten by data base gurus who have touted the segmentation of donor files as a process akin to the magical mystery tour.
Read moreThe dangers of requests for proposal
by Roger Craver
This week legendary Agitator Roger Craver joins in with his opinion on the ‘request for proposal’. And he’s not pulling any punches about what he believes is ‘...among the Great idiocies of our nonprofit world’. Click here to see more and to find out what he does admire and praise.
Read moreRethinking the way we think
by Charlie Hulme
A review of Dan Pallotta’s TED talk, The way we think about charity is dead wrong.
Read moreReasons to be cheerful: the 2013 Charity Pulse survey
by Frances Hurst
Now from Frances Hurst we learn that fundraisers in the UK have reasons to be cheerful. The recent Charity Pulse survey shows that UK fundraisers have resumed their previous position among the happiest of charity employees.
Read moreI wish I’d thought of SOFII
by Charlie Hulme
Charlie Hulme blows SOFII’s trumpet as he berates fundraisers for, among other things, a shocking lack of vocation. But is he right? We couldn’t possibly comment, of course. The views of the author are, quite obviously, solely his own...
Read moreLess pessimism about the fundraising climate but…
by Andrew Papworth
Andrew Papworth reports on the latest Managing in a Downturn and you’ll be pleased to learn that although things are still tough, there is a less pessimism about the fundraising climate. Even better is that individual giving continues to be an important part of fundraising in the UK (and elsewhere too, no doubt).
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