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.
How I wrote it: the NSPCC’s Simple pack
by Robbie Rae
When Robbie Rae started working as a fundraising copywriter at the turn of the millennium, he felt that true masters of direct mail had perfected the art in all its form. Despite that, he thought that it was time to change the orthodoxy. Click here to discover how he wrote a hugely successful pack that did just that.
Read moreNotes from Ken Burnett following his review of the document ‘Current Situation and Tendency of Internet Fundraising in China’.
by Ken Burnett
This summary from the report shows that on-line digital fundraising has already made great progress in China recently and is likely to show even more potential for growth in the very near future. But, while there is good cause for optimism, some lessons have been learned and it is clear that Chinese fundraisers can gain even more, if they learn to do Internet fundraising right.
Read moreWhy asking and thanking is all wrong
by Matthew Sherrington
Do you think Matthew Sherrington is just being controversial when he says that asking and thanking are wrong? Or does he have a point?
Read moreTwenty symptoms of fundraising trouble
by Reinier Spruit
Twenty symptoms of fundraising trouble from Reinier Spruit. If you recognise too many, he says, you could be in trouble yourself.
Read moreSeven things that will make you a better fundraiser
by Margaux Smith
Margaux Smith may be relatively new on the fundraising scene, but she has some pretty good ideas on how you could become an even better fundraiser.
Read moreIntroducing the Commission on the Donor Experience
by SOFII
This summer fundraising in the UK has been under attack like never before with alarming consequences in damaged trust and loss of public confidence for Britain’s charities. Now a large group of voluntary sector leaders is coming together to do something about it.
Read moreDo you want to increase your fundraising income by spending a tenner?
by Laura Croudace
If you are looking for a fundraising mentor, you won’t go wrong with this book says Laura Croudace in her review of Rob Woods new work, The Fundraiser Who Wanted More.
Read moreHow often in life do you have total satisfaction?
by Lyndall Stein
This remarkable article from Lyndall Stein that describes the fundraising campaign she and other volunteers organised for the African National Congress when South Africa was in the grip of apartheid.
Read moreBrand cops mandate stupid Haiti ad
by Jeff Brooks
It would be best not to follow this example of fundraising for the disaster in Haiti. Or so Jeff Brooks thinks.
Read moreHey Mr Fundraiser: stop asking your board members to trespass
by Simone Joyaux
Always outspoken, Simone Joyaux doesn’t let us down this week when she tells a reluctant board member: ‘If you’re not willing to do the work, get off our board. Go away’. But she also gives sound advice on how to get the very best from our boards.
Read moreWhat can fundraisers learn from product marketing?
by Sarah Clifton
Sarah Clifton says, yes, you can learn from product marketing. Applying a commercial marketing checklist to our fundraising strategy can give us some valuable insights about the way that our donors experience our service.
Read moreWhat would grandma say?
by Peter Goudkamp
Not so long ago I asked staff of the communication and fundraising department at a certain large charity if they were actually supporting their own cause. Only 22 per cent actually did. So I asked myself, ‘What would my grandmother say of this?’
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