Top tips & how tos

The focus in this section is on practical ‘how to’ lists. Here the world's leading fundraisers share the distilled wisdom of their experience in digestible bite-sized nuggets that you can use immediately.

How to write for your most generous eyes and hands

by Lisa Sargent

Want to make sure your best givers can physically read what you write? Need to defend why you make some of the copy and design choices you do? Then don’t miss Lisa Sargent’s latest tips on making your fundraising communications accessible to older donors. 

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SolarAid: Lighting the way

by Richard Turner

Richard Turner, director of fundraising at SolarAid, highlights how the charity took a strategic phased approach to raising £1 million over three years. He also includes useful top tips to help you secure funding for your next new idea.

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21 and ½ tips for writing better fundraising materials

by Lisa Sargent

Fundraising copywriter extraordinaire Lisa Sargent is back, with more essential advice on how to harness the power of your writing. In this article Lisa shares her tried-and-true checklist for better fundraising materials. Follow these tips and help ensure your donor communications shine... every time!

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Supporter care – it’s the best investment you can make in fundraising

by Ralph Welch

Ralph Welch didn’t expect his chance encounter with a Women’s Super League customer service team to make him think much about fundraising. But an unexpected response after a recent purchase made him reflect on charities and supporter care. Read on to find out more and learn a few top tips.

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Asking your donors the right way – six tips to build relationships and giving

by George Crankovic

Fundraisers, we all know it can be hard to make the ask. Whether you need to speak to your donor in person or on paper, it’s not easy to ask for the donations that your organisation and your beneficiaries need. In this article, copywriter and consultant George Crankovic shares six useful tips to help you make that all-important request. 

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How to fundraise from trusts and foundations when you have high reserves

by Mike Zywina

What happens if your organisation has ‘too much’ money? While most charities and social enterprises don’t find themselves with high reserves often, this can pose challenges when it happens – especially if you work in trusts and foundations. Mike Zywina shares four tips for what do if your organisation has a lot of funds in reserves or finds itself in an unusual financial position.

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I just did my first round of grant assessing – here’s what I learned

by Vic Hancock Fell

After years of fundraising for small charities, Vic Hancock Fell found herself on the other side of the process – assessing grant applications. Find out what Vic learned and what changes she’ll make when she writes her next application for a trust or foundation.

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Fundraisers, are you ready for a potential cyber attack?

by Jack Steadman

Jack Steadman, chief technology strategist at agency Blue State, shares some crucial steps that he believes could help your organisation maintain cyber security and protect donor data.

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Five sales techniques corporate fundraisers can learn from companies

by Remarkable Partnerships

What can your corporate fundraisers learn from sales techniques in the private sector? Dive into this article to find out.

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Improve your supporters’ online experience to raise your fundraising results

by James Herlihy

James Herlihy of Dutch agency Mindwize shares his essential steps for avoiding a poor online experience for donors. He also gives his advice on how to power yourself to fundraising success.

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How to create a donor journey map

by Ally Smith

Ally Smith of fundraising technology company Fundraising KIT shows you how to create a donor journey map and shares why they’re important to your fundraising strategy.

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Stop f***ing about with your logo and stick to fundraising instead

by Mark Phillips

Mark Phillips of Bluefrog Fundraising explores the potential negative impacts of a major charity rebrand and explains why good fundraising is where your emphasis should be.

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