The Fundraiser’s Toolbox

You know that fundraising is hard work. To be successful you need to be well equipped to take on all its challenges. At SOFII, we thought you might like some help. So we’ve put together this fundraiser’s toolbox that we’ll be filling with essential examples, formats, articles, case studies, ideas and tips that we think every fundraiser should know about.

The BADASSforGOOD podcast. First episodes: snackable brand and marketing insights

by R. Trent Thompson

Welcome to R. Trent Thompson's BADASSforGOOD podasts: concise, insightful ideas on how to manage your brand and marketing from an award-winning specialist.

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My first weeks as a fundraiser: where do I start?

by Ken Burnett

SOFII presents ‘My first weeks as a fundraiser’: a series to guide you through the start of your fundraising career. We hope to create a treasure trove linking you to the best of what’s on SOFII when it comes to the essentials of fundraising, aka everything you need to get your feet under the table. 

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Rebels on the Liffey: a trip to Ask Direct’s Fundraising Summer School 2018

by Joe Burnett

SOFII traveled to Dublin in July to report on one of the best fundraising conferences around: the Ask Direct Fundraising Summer School. Read on to discover part one of what we learned.

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‘Don’t we, as a sector, have a responsibility to hold ourselves to a higher ethical standard?’ Change for Good reviewed.

by Ruby Bayley-Pratt

A new review of Omar Mahmoud and Bernard Ross' Change for Good sheds light on the complex world of behavioural economics and how they can apply to fundraising.

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CDE project 6. Section 5.2: the starfish story

by Robbie Macmillan

A poignant little story about a man saving starfish reflects the emotional driving force of Robbie Macmillan's Children of Rwanda charity.

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A practical, evidence-based guide that’ll keep your relationship fundraising on track

by Ryan Burdock

Practical, evidence-based handbooks on fundraising are hard to come by, but Ryan Burdock of Prospectus has found just that in Donors for Life by Craig Linton and Paul Stein.

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The great fundraiser’s bookshelf

by Joe Burnett

Where do you start, if you want to find the best books on fundraising? Look no further: welcome to the great fundraiser's bookshelf.

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The (almost) complete reading list for fundraisers

by Lisa Sargent

If you're starting out in fundraising and are wondering where to get the knowledge you need, this list of inspirational books is for you.

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If you want their money, best not to insult them

by Joe Burnett

A goof by the UK Conservative Party in a fundraising letter shows just how careful you need to be with the data you're working from.

Note: this article contains language that some may find offensive

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Islamic Relief UK: Raising £180,000 via WhatsApp and Facebook messaging

by Emily Collins-Ellis

A clever and modern use of technology by Islamic Relief UK demonstrates how regular interaction with major donors can yield great results by bringing them closer to the charity’s cause.

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What’s the golden thread that unites us?

by Richard Turner

There were so many great and inspirational ideas shared at I Wish I'd Thought Of That 2018. Which of these will inspire you to transform your fundraising?

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How to bring feminism into your fundraising

by Emily Collins-Ellis

Emily Collins-Ellis and Rachel Stephenson Sheff demonstrate that feminism needs to be brought into fundraising, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it will improve that fundraising and benefit your organisation.

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