SOFII’s February must-reads

by Pamela Grow & Craig Linton

Here you’ll find 2014’s first list of articles that you must read if you are going to keep up with all the top tips, opinion and news in our wonderful world of fundraising.

The Fundraiser’s Guide to Irresistible Communications

by Jeff Brooks

It’s a virtual truism that each generation of copywriters and fundraisers must fight the same battles over and over again. Boards, CEOs, fundraisers change, but the DNA ain’t improving. Now the cavalry has arrived. Enter Jeff Brooks and his new book. At a time when too many pay lip service to becoming ‘donor-centric’ but fail to put it into practice, Jeff gives us the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of creating copy that puts the donor first and foremost.

Reviewed for SOFII by Roger Craver.

Verity 12: if you can conceive it, you can achieve it.

by Jerold Panas

The surest way to guarantee success is to determine you will succeed. You decide. You envision it. You dream of it. You command it to happen. That’s how you win. That’s the road to success.

What kind of advert would your supporters make, for you?

by Aline Reed

In this thought-provoking article, Aline Reed questions the power of big brands versus audience generated content in the world of advertising. Would you let your donors write and design your next advert?

From beggars to buskers: what can modern charities learn from street artists?

by Steven Dodds & Clare Jones

Authors Steven Dodds and Claire Jones from the DMS agency argue that charities need to change their approach and transform their offerings in order to survive. Thought provoking, we think.

Verity 11: you have an unwavering commitment to the institution and a near-militant belief in its mission.

by Jerold Panas

Goethe wrote: ‘Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to drop back. The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.’

A sector divided

by Alison McCants

Alison McCants, direct marketing manager of UK charity The Brooke, asks three revealing questions: How are fundraisers trained to work with agencies? How do we know how to get the most from an agency? And, how do we know when they’re not doing the job well enough? This is a great read that will get you thinking about how you manage your agency relationship.

Verity 10: boldness has genius, power and magic to it

by Jerold Panas

It’s the courage to dare, to step out that’s wins the contest and gets the gift. The great fundraisers are infused with boldness and courage: an awesome audacity.

Firing lousy board members

by Simone Joyaux

Why do it? Who does it? And how can you avoid it?

Introducing: Simone uncensored

by Simone Joyaux

SOFII’s guide to good governance that month by month will build to a must-have manual for your nonprofit board.

My worldwide mission to destroy all executive committees

by Simone Joyaux

So, you’ve fired your lousy board members, as instructed by Simone Joyaux. But you can’t sit back and relax, now she says you must destroy your board’s executive committee. Click here to find out why it is so important.

Committees … love them, or hate them

by Simone Joyaux

Finally, Simone Joyaux admits that she likes committees – but only good ones. Here you’ll find out the board committees you need – and those that you definitely don’t.