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.
Bluefrog Fundraising’s free resources for creating a coronavirus appeal
by Mark Phillips
During uncertain times it’s refreshing to find that people are offering help to fundraisers and charities who may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. One such hero is Mark Phillips of UK agency Bluefrog Fundraising, who provides much-needed support, advice and useful templates in this excellent blog post.
Read moreRight now, the supporter experience matters more than ever
by Joe Burnett
How are you going to maintain an excellent donor experience for your supporters in this time of crisis? Six expert fundraisers explain how their organisations are reacting to coronavirus, whilst still ensuring they are there for those who give to them.
Read moreWhy do people give? The podcast with Ken Burnett
by Mark Phillips
We bring you Mark Phillips’ conversation with SOFII founder and fundraising expert Ken Burnett, from the podcast Why do people give?
Read moreWhy do people give? The podcast with Lyndall Stein
by Mark Phillips
Why do people give? The podcast hosted by esteemed fundraising expert Mark Phillips is back, this time with the amazing Lyndall Stein. In the interview, Lyndall shares many wonderful memories including working for the African National Congress and raising money to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, to name a few.
Read moreWhy do people give? A podcast by Mark Phillips of Bluefrog Fundraising.
by Mark Phillips
We’re delighted to bring you the first edition of a very special podcast: Why do people give? Hosted by Mark Phillips of agency Bluefrog Fundraising, episode one features celebrated fundraising legend Giles Pegram, CBE, former fundraising director of the NSPCC.
Read moreThe A to Z of writing fundraising appeals: T to Z
by Steve Lynch
Words of wisdom, notions of tone and urgency and the central importance of YOU - all are covered in this last entry in Steve Lynch’s A to Z of writing fundraising appeals.
Read moreThe A to Z of writing fundraising appeals: M to S
by Steve Lynch
We bring you part three of copywriter Steve Lynch’s superb A to Z, exploring everything from the value of a good slogan to lessons taken from his mother and George Orwell. Stay tuned for T to Z, coming soon.
Read moreThe A to Z of writing fundraising appeals: G to L
by Steve Lynch
From grammar to the length of fundraising copy via important takes on jargon, headlines and even Rudyard Kipling, Bluefrog’s Steve Lynch continues to take a fun and informative linguistic foray through fundraising essentials.
Read moreHow to master the soft skills of fundraising
by Stephanie Dotto
There are many opinions and articles out there on how to approach donors and win them to your cause with hard skills, but in this article, Stephanie Dotto of CharityJob explores the softer skills that are too often overlooked.
Read moreFundraising ethics – raise more money while keeping your donors happy. What could be simpler? Part two.
by Ian MacQuillin
In the second part of his blog on fundraising ethics, Rogare’s Ian MacQuillin looks at a couple of ethical dilemmas. The solutions are anything but black and white.
Read moreRebels on the Liffey: a trip to Ask Direct’s Fundraising Summer School 2018
by Joe Burnett
SOFII traveled to Dublin in July to report on one of the best fundraising conferences around: the Ask Direct Fundraising Summer School. Read on to discover part one of what we learned.
Read moreServe or inspire? That is the question
by Richard Turner
Inspire is often a misused word in the fundraising world but it is not just a way of recruiting and even retaining donors. Inspiration can go much, much further.
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