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.
Are we so bedazzled by new media that we are losing possible legacies?
by Andrew Papworth
You and I know that we can make statistics say whatever we like. But check out this from Andrew Papworth: one in four adults don’t use the Internet every day. Astonishing huh? Are you alienating your donors by denying them the way they want to give?
Read moreMost stupid ad concept, bar none
by Jeff Brooks
This month, Jeff has identified a particularly bad advert that fails to convey any information about the cause; it also hurts to look at. What do you think?
Read moreWhat makes a nonprofit ad stupid?
by Jeff Brooks
Pointing out stupid nonprofit ads tends to generate a lot of controversy. So, I am going out on a limb when I call these things stupid. And I could be wrong.
Read moreOther people: together not separate
by Charlie Hulme
In his latest article on storytelling, Charlie Hulme, says, ‘If you want people to donate, make sure they know that others are. Don’t ask them to join at the starting line, show them the finish line – show them the money.’
Read moreInvesting in testing - part 1
by Ken Burnett
Has the rigorous testing regime that used to pervade in every seriously ambitious charity been allowed to slip in your organisation? Are your trustees afflicted with the ‘lowest possible acquisition cost’ mentality? You must test properly, says Ken Burnett, otherwise your prospects for innovation are reduced to a matter of random chance.
Read moreWhy the dumbest things your smartphone does are the smart things to do
by Fiona Pattison
Those bright folks at Open Fundraising share with you a cornucopia of their secrets and lessons learned at the cutting edge of donor acquisition. Instead of ‘rushing headlong over the bleeding edge of technology’, study here what you should be doing if you want to recruit new donors in number at such highly agreeable costs it’ll force even your finance director to crack a smile.
Read moreHope not hopeless
by Charlie Hulme
Back in 2010, the plight of 33 miners in Chile was an international sensation. We were all gripped by the suspense: would the rescue attempt succeed, would they survive…? It wiped from our newspapers and television screens the devastating floods in Pakistan, described by the UN as the greatest humanitarian crisisin recent history. How could this happen? Charlie Hulme explains in his second article on storytelling.
Read moreHow I wrote it: Jules Brown talks about the Women’s Aid fundraising letter
by Fergal Byrne & Jules Brown
In Fergal Byrne’s seventh interview with leading fundraising copywriters, Jules Brown from New Zealand explains why he begins with a case study. ‘I immerse myself in the case study. For me, it forms the guts of what fundraising direct mail is all about.’ Click here to see the powerful case history he used in the featured letter that he wrote for Women’s Aid in Ireland.
Read moreHow I use SOFII: I turn to the better thank-you checklist that helps us value our donors
by Virginia Anderson
Virginia Anderson is an experienced, effective major donor fundraiser in Scotland. So why does she keep SOFII’s 17-point better thank-you letter checklist pinned close to her desk? Find out here.
Read moreWant to get inside your donor's brain? Try storytelling
by Charlie Hulme
Emotional storytelling keeps popping up on SOFII and rightly so given its importance to fundraisers everywhere. Here we have the introduction and the first article in a series SOFII will be publishing in coming weeks on the art of storytelling, from Charlie Hulme of telemarketing agency Pell & Bales. If you care about catching your donor’s interest and imagination, read on here.
Read morePeople not numbers: emotion not reason
by Charlie Hulme
This is the first article on SOFII's new storytelling series.
Read moreThis ad imagines donors look like dead bodies
by Jeff Brooks
Jeff Brooks thinks the people at the UN wanted us to take part in events for the millennium development goals campaign, but he’s not sure. They never actually say that. They just hint at it.
Read more
