Arts and education fundraising

This is a collection of creative approaches to fundraising in arts and education. Keep reading to discover how fundraisers have carefully crafted successful appeals and campaigns for organisations both small and large. There is plenty here to inspire you. 

University of Leeds: The calendar appeal

by SOFII

This excellent mail appeal was a success thanks to a very smart theme where alumni shared their experiences and memories of their time at the University of Leeds. To check out the calendar and full creative, click read more.

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University of Leeds: direct mail cash appeal to alumni

by SOFII

The direct mail appeal that raised more in 12 weeks than the University had raised in their previous eight years of sending mail appeals.

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University of Leeds: the memories appeal

by SOFII

This multi-channel ‘prospecting’ campaign from the University of Leeds enabled them to reach former students who had drifted away from their former university and exceeded its target by 56 per cent.

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University College London: the ‘paper head’ Christmas appeal

by Aline Reed

It’s not surprising that University College London’s brief to bring philosopher and jurist Jeremy Bentham back to life to raise funds caused Aline Reed to, in her words, ‘frown, ask “you want me to do what” and generally feel rather puzzled for a number of days. But after undertaking some research she and Mark Phillips came up with the idea of a ‘ransom in reverse’. Intrigued? This exhibit reveals the fantastic results.

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The École Centrale Paris (Central School of Paris): alumni online challenge

by SOFII

This online promotion raised double the amount of previous offline activities.

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The German Leprosy Relief Association: ‘Different Strokes’, the art show with a difference

by SOFII

Different strokes – an art show with a cause – organised by the German Leprosy Relief Associaiton in India created a world of opportunity for disabled, or rather differently-able, adults and children artists by giving them the opportunity to show – and sell – their work alongside that of professionals.

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The Art Fund: the battle to save the Staffordshire Hoard

by SOFII

This emergency appeal captivated the imagination of the public and was so successful that it even closed a few weeks early. This will be a useful read for all fundraisers.

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Harvard University: how Harvard got its name. Major gift fundraising in the seventeenth century.

by SOFII

The examples in this exhibit are almost 400 years old, yet it would seem that we are still making the same mistakes today when it comes to major gift fundraising.

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Culver Academies: by example campaign

by SOFII

It’s not often SOFII gets to showcase an alumni fundraising campaign and this one is an absolute cracker. This campaign managed to exceed their (already ambitious) target, not once but twice.

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University of Oxford: legacy brochure

by SOFII

The dream inspires. A classic legacy promotion brochure with multiple enclosures shows you how it’s done. By providing an inspiring vision in the main document as well as individualised content in the template insert, this brochure has the ability to be as broad or as narrow as required.

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University of South Carolina: ‘We are South Carolina Y’ALL’ (Young Alumni Leaving a Legacy)

by SOFII

In another piece from our archive, this innovative and engaging alumni fundraising from the University of South Carolina (USC) is a great reminder to the higher education sector that communicating with young people about legacies can and should be done.

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University of South Carolina: Search for ‘the face of Y’ALL’

by SOFII

Y’ALL stands for Young Alumni Leaving a Legacy and this exhibit chronicles an associated endeavour, the search for a face, or rather a couple of faces, to promote it.

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