15 things I would do if I were the new head of donor development, part 2

by Ken Burnett

These 15 strategies aren’t the only things I’d do. They may not even be the most urgent things I’d do, or even the most important. But they are the things I’d do that I think would have the most lasting impact, that would make the most difference to converting my imaginary donor development department from the under-funded, misunderstood appendage to the fundraising function that I found on joining the organization, into the finely honed, high-earning core activity that I’d like to leave behind me when, in the fullness of time, I move on to pastures new (you have to indulge me a little here, in this fantasy).

How, precisely, do you build a better board? Part 2

by Ken Burnett

Welcome to the second and final part of this listing of what makes an effective non-profit board.

Sample thank-you letters for you to swipe

by Lisa Sargent

Next to your fundraising appeals, your thank-you letter is the most important communication that a donor receives. So shouldn’t it sparkle with sincerity?

Why your charity (still) needs better thank-you letters

by Lisa Sargent

So you’ve heard that, thanks to Lee Saunders, SOFII will champion the renaissance of the charity thank-you letter. Renaissance, you say? A lofty word, that, for the humble thank-you letter. 

But if you aim to raise money for good causes, the thank-you letter is still among your mightiest tools.

Tossing your cookies: grassroots fundraising at its best

by Ruthellen S. Rubin

When asked, ‘What is your earliest recollection of making a charitable donation?’, most Americans respond: ‘Buying Girl Scout cookies.’

How, precisely, do you build a better board? Part 1

by Ken Burnett

Good governance seems to top every nonprofit’s agenda these days. Perhaps it’s also aided by the realisation that bad boards are still many fundraisers’ biggest bugbear.

So you seriously want to be a client?

by George Smith

This playful piece from George Smith flips the traditional view of the client/agency relationship on its head and explores how things might look if charities had to do the pitching to become an agency’s client. 

15 things I would do if I were the new head of donor development, part 1

by Ken Burnett

This list came about when a US journal for fundraisers asked me to imagine I’d just started in a new job, with a clean slate and sufficient resources to set about transforming the donor development function. It’s included here to help anyone in an even vaguely similar situation. And to help me set out my philosophy of donor development.

Philanthropy in a flat world, inspiration through globalization

by Jon Duschinsky

Here Clare McDowall, explains why this book changed her outlook and attitude to fundraising. Following Jon’s advice, she recommends throwing out the rule book and making the most of the huge opportunities (and challenges) that are facing the nonprofit sector today.

Ask Without Fear: A simple guide to connecting donors with what matters to them most

by Marc Pitman

‘Simple but profound’ is how Joanne Fritz describes this book. She concludes that the author, Marc A Pitman has skilfully de-mystified major giving using entertaining and humorous anecdotes which leave you with a can-do attitude.

Review by Joanne Fritz.

Surprising fundraising insight from Albert Einstein

by Sarah Bond

Albert Einstein is justly famous for his brilliant work as a theoretical scientist. His theory of general relativity fundamentally transformed science’s understanding of the origins, laws and mysteries of the physical universe. But we at SOFII believe fundraisers can learn a lot from his genius too.

Dislocation, dislocation...

by George Smith

No one is spared e-mails these days. Be you ever eminent or senior, most of your business messages will now come in this form. I recently winced when I saw an e-missive being sent by a young fundraiser to a prominent sponsor. And how did the missive start?