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 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 moreTop 10 tips for retaining fundraisers
by Frances Hurst
You can hardly pick up a newspaper these days without reading how wonderful it is to work for a charity.
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 moreNew research shows how charities can create remarkable corporate partnerships
by Remarkable Partnerships
Remarkable Partnerships, a new report from Jonathon Andrews shows that when charities and companies partner in a remarkable way they deliver huge impact, have wider reach, create more opportunities and last longer. Read SOFII’s summary here. Then get the full report, free.
Read moreRichard Turner’s great story
by Richard Turner
Richard Turner's advice for all fundraisers is to have a great story to tell. And the place to start looking for it is among all the people who benefit from the cause you fundraise for.
Read moreThe seven elements of proposition: how to get your story across
by John Grain
In this article, fundraising specialist, John Grain tells us of seven critical things to remember when telling your fundraising story. Using this checklist and the simple exercises he suggests, you can make your story compelling, engaging and effective, giving you the very best chance of success.
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