A top-secret source of fundraising ideas: swipe files revealed

by Lisa Sargent

I want you to steal the idea behind this article. Adapt it, then claim it as your own.

Will you do it?

Where technology is taking us: Lessons from the ‘new’ charities

by Richard C McPherson

The press is full of intriguing bits and pieces that suggest the ‘new charities’ may have something to teach traditional charities.

Is this the best way to develop bequests?

by Rich Fox

Most organisations are surprised when they receive bequests. Many of the people who leave bequests do not even appear on the organisation’s donor file, and most of the others have been only low value donors for a number of years (and are often lapsed) -- not the kind of people who you might expect to leave a large bequest.

The truth about storytelling: leaders not followers

by Charlie Hulme

Charlie’s final article in his series on telling stories might surprise you and may even make you laugh out loud.

Grant writing in a character limited world

by Charlene Rocha

Has technology saved you time and trouble when writing an application for a grant? Or do you find online application forms limit how much you can say? Click here to find how you can get all your valuable information across in fewer words.

Creating a supportive workplace for fundraisers

by Norma Cameron

You’ve heard of the donor bill of rights; hopefully you have one pinned above your desk. Now, if you click here you’ll find a bill with a difference just for you: a bill of rights for fundraisers. If you’d like to add anything, please let us know.

What do companies want from charity partners?

by Remarkable Partnerships

Corporate fundraising seems to raise passionate debate. Some say that’s all it raises; others that it’s a potential golden goose. If you’re not sure, check out this first in SOFII’s new series on how to raise money from the commercial world.

Five corporate fundraising mistakes to avoid

by Remarkable Partnerships

It’s inevitable that at some time we will make a mistake. Yet some are so basic that they can be easily avoided. Jonathan Andrews warns of five mistakes you really should avoid when you’re going for that all-important corporate partnership.

Lessons from young charities - part 2

by James Read

You can read principles three, four and five here

Lessons from young charities - part 1

by James Read

In this article, creative director and copy chief of marketing and fundraising agency Grizzard, James Read, looks at some of the newest and relatively small charities that have succeeded in raising enviable amounts of awareness and money. He shares the five principles he believes characterise today’s most innovative nonprofits and how you can apply them to your organisation.

Tom Ahern’s nine-step communications self-audit

by Tom Ahern

Why pay thousands to have an expert tell you what you’re doing wrong? Audit your donor communications yourself, using these criteria.

Ten things you should remember when writing to trusts and foundations

by Jo Habib

As with all fundraising, you really need to think about what you are doing from the foundations’ – the donors’ – perspectives. If you were them, what would you want? How would you want to be approached? What would you want to know?