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.
It won't work here!
by Matthew Sherrington
Matthew Sherrington is depressed and losing patience with fundraisers who won't try a different idea.
Read morePareto Fundraising: Sean’s automated out-of-office email message
by Sean Triner
Sean Triner’s out-of-office bounce-back is brilliant and simple as well as easy to steal, right now.
Read moreForcing or forging a relationship? Part 1: understanding your donors
by Charlie Hulme
This, the first of a three-part feature by Charlie Hulme, managing director, DonorVoice UK, kicks off an important new series for SOFII. Based upon evidence and experience rather than theory and opinion, Charlie’s first article spells out the crucial necessity of really understanding what your donors want from their relationship with you and your cause.
Read moreTen easy fixes for the design of your donation form
by Beate Sørum
Beate Sorum shares digital how-tos, things to do and not to do and 10 tips to make your online donation form work much better.
Read moreImperial War Museum: Indra Sinha’s Eric Heaton ad, from 1985
by Carolina Herrera
This is a classic press ad from advertising legend Indra Sinha that helped mend a leaky roof. It’ll have you in tears too, as it shows you how to tell a good story.
Read moreReader knowledge, real voices, great stories and big points of view
by Elizabeth Loudon
Writer Liz Loudon shares the difference between really writing to move donors, or just typing.
Read moreFalling for SOFII again
by Tony Charalambides
It's always great to receive positive feedback from SOFII users and here Tony Charalambides sings our praises and explains why you should fall for SOFII too.
Read moreEnabling your board members and other fundraising volunteers
by Simone Joyaux
Do you think you already do all you possibly can to help your board members and other volunteers reach their full potential? Or do you think you could maybe do more? Here’s some great advice from Simone Joyaux on how to be an outstanding ‘enabler’.
Read moreDonor-centric but stupid? It’s possible
by Jeff Brooks
Sometimes a stupid nonprofit ad campaign has an odd little grain of smart in it, like this print ad campaign here on SOFII. Do you agree with Jeff Brooks when he says that it doesn’t quite make it, as a way to raise money?
Read moreAdvertising’s earliest genius and how he can help your advertisements to work better, predictably
by Claude Hopkins
You shouldn’t miss Claude C Hopkins’ new book.
Actually Scientific Advertising was first published 91 years ago, so new it really isn’t. But if its content is new to you, says SOFII’s reviewer, this concise classic can still teach you valuable lessons to improve your communication skills and enhance your career too. Hopkins was, by rather a long way, the highest paid advertising person of his generation. Find out why here
Read moreVerity 16: all of the great fundraisers have certain success factors in common.
by Jerold Panas
It is the thread woven through their entire fabric.
Read moreSOFII’s August must-reads
by Pamela Grow & Craig Linton
If you rarely get the chance to speak directly to your donors, you will be interested in at least one of this month’s ‘must-reads’. It’s from a highly successful street fundraiser for a major British charity who recruits between 10 and 15 new donors each and every day. And he loves his job. Find out why, here.
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