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.
Striking ideas: fake nuns, donkeys and your strategy for the year ahead
by Richard C McPherson
A new non-profit organisation starts in America about every 10 minutes, 40,000 just last year. Or maybe it was 50,000. Even the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) isn’t exactly sure. Worthy, interesting or bizarre, they will be competing with you this year. Fortunately, they provide three valuable lessons if your organisation was started more than 10 minutes ago.
Read moreHow to grow income rapidly, at a reasonable cost, retaining donor loyalty along the way
by Ken Burnett
In Relationship Fundraising, the classic read for all fundraisers, Ken Burnett takes us carefully through the fundamentals of good fundraising. Ken reminds us that a unique relationship exists between donors and the causes they support, and shows us how to preserve and develop that relationship.
Review by Neil Sloggie.
Read moreKen Burnett’s two great stories.
by Ken Burnett
Here are two grainy, shaky but very inspiring stories; Gabriella’s new feet and The worst tourist in the world.
Read moreTo ask or not to ask, that is the question when saying thank you to a donor
by Lisa Sargent & Sean Triner
Find out what Sean Triner, co-founder and director, Pareto Fundraising in Australia and Lisa Sargent, principal at Sargent Communications, LLC in the USA have to say about this.
Read moreWWF Canada: welcome pack for new donors
by SOFII
Learn how to engage and retain your donors from this early example of a donor-centred welcome pack. This is a very good and highly copyable example of the genre. And, most noteworthy perhaps is that this pack has been structured and written around what the donor would want, not what the organisation wants.
Read moreCovenant House Alaska: ‘moustache march’
by SOFII
Covenant House helps homeless and runaway youth in Alaska. Moustache march, has brought new supporters to their cause, as well as raising much-needed funds.
Read moreChildren’s Wish Foundation: the power of a story
by SOFII
All nonprofits need to tell stories. Through storytelling you will build deeper connections with your supporters and, ultimately, raise more money for your cause.
Read moreThe power of benchmarking
by Jonathon Grapsas
How looking around at others can help you raise more money for your cause.
Read moreSorry, but you’re just not my type!
by Colin Wheildon
Typestyle and typefaces may seem unlikely fare for readers of SOFII opinion pieces but not so if you want to communicate effectively with your donors. It has been said that communication is the key to building donors’ trust and confidence.
Review by Ken Burnett.
Read moreConversion of a techno-sceptic
by Richard C McPherson
Only a few things in life are worth missing a flight for. I’d like to tell you about two of them. The first is merely amusing but the other, I think, you will find of more value. The first was only the second flight I’d missed, ever. It was going to Oslo, Norway, but I was stuck on London’s Hammersmith roundabout…
Review by Ken Burnett.
Read moreSit in a bath of baked beans, change the world
by Bilaal Rajan
There are too many people who assume children aren’t important and can’t do anything. Twelve year old Bilaal Rajan proves them all wrong. When I first had this book ‘assigned’ to me, I thought it would be some long, boring book on fundraising. This is not the case…
Reviewed for SOFII by Skye MacKenzie.
Read moreBad Ad - Greenpeace Portugal: the unfortunate example of the reversed out coupon
by SOFII
We love this, but sympathise greatly with its creator, whoever he or she might be. If you know anything about this ad, please share your information …
Read more
