Capital campaigns
Still the staple of the North American fundraising system, capital campaigns have nevertheless lost their glitter for many fundraisers and for many major donors too. But carefully structured and well-coordinated capital campaigns can still raise substantial sums of money and deliver on donor satisfaction too. So when is it right to consider a capital campaign, and how should you go about ensuring that your campaign, when it happens, is one of those destined to succeed?
Art Fund: Crowdfunding to save Prospect Cottage (part one)
by Joe Burnett
Derek Jarman was a huge figure in modern British cinema and art. Now his unique home, a work of art in itself, is the subject of a truly inspirational and ambitious crowdfunding campaign by the Art Fund. We sat down with three of the drivers behind the campaign to discuss Jarman, Prospect Cottage and crowdfunding. They wowed us, so we hope they'll wow you too!
Read moreSt Michael’s Foundation: the Final Piece campaign
by SOFII
Here is another excellent campaign from St Michael's Foundation in Toronto, Canada. Take a look at how this team of savvy fundraisers took a simple poster and re-purposed it into a successful staff event that raised much-needed funds for their latest capital appeal.
Read moreSt Michael’s Foundation Christmas Poster Campaign: Give the Gift
by Joanna Culling
It’s never too early to plan your Christmas fundraising campaign and here’s one from St Michael’s Hospital Foundation in Canada to inspire you. This integrated campaign shows how to entice donors to give to bricks and mortar by focusing on compassion and people.
Read moreWilliam Quarrier – the most determined fundraiser of all time?
by Simon Burne
Be inspired by the most determined fundraiser of all time. Using an approach not designed for the faint-hearted, William Quarrier went into a room full of wealthy people and walked out with enough money to fund a village for homeless children in Glasgow. But how did he do it? And what can we learn from this fundraising superstar?
Read moreHarvesters Food Bank’s fundraising strategy
by Adrian Sargeant
Harvesters, a food bank in the USA, believe that ‘people don’t want to give their money away, but they do want to make a difference in other people’s lives’. At SOFII’s IWITOT event in Baltimore, Professor Adrian Sargeant showed how that belief helped them to achieve their massive ambition to increase support from $2 million to a massive $11.5 million.
Read moreHumber River Hospital Foundation’s direct mail appeal featuring Humbert
by John Lepp
It's amazing how many capital campaigns bewilder donors with architect's drawings, graphs and complicated giving levels. Not so those brave people at Humber River Hospital Foundation, they turned their backs on stuffy institutional instincts and introduced Humbert – their storyteller supreme. Meet him here and see the fabulous appeals that achieved 33 per cent growth in giving in less than a year. Go on – take a risk!
Read moreSave the Children: Buy a brick capital appeal
by Reuben Turner
This warm appeal from Save the Children beat its target by over £150,000 and acquisition approached break-even. Clinics were built and children’s lives were saved.
Read moreNational Trust: recruiting members by the millions
by Aline Reed
Discover the story of Octavia Hill, an amazing fundraiser and co-founder of the highly successful and respected charity – the National Trust.
Read moreThe Städel Museum, Frankfurt: inspiring a city to fundraise
by SOFII
The donors who gave millions to the Städel Museum said it was not ‘just a museum’, but rather that they felt like part of a big family.
Read moreThe Owl and Monkey Haven: appeal for two lonely capuchins, Martin and Lulu
by SOFII
This appeal for the happiness of Martin and Lulu, two lonely capuchin monkeys is charming, honest, urgent and authentic. It captured the attention of supporters across the UK and beyond and is an example of fantastic storytelling without forgetting the ‘ask’.
Read moreWSPA: ‘Big bear build’ and ‘big bear rescue’ appeals
by SOFII
This campaign clearly showed donors that they were highly valued by WSPA and that their support was making a difference. Having been on a journey with WSPA rescuing the captive bears since 2006, the donors were able to see the influence they had made as well as the change they could make possible now.
Read moreGreat Ormond Street Hospital: Christmas mailing, from 1941
by Aline Reed
What an achievement for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s fundraisers during the Second World War, someone kept their mailing for 70 years.
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