The direct mail, door drops and household deliveries showcase
Congratulations! You’ve just found the world’s best and biggest collection of fundraising direct mail, right here on sofii.org. There are more than 160 detailed case histories and articles here for you to learn from, crib from, adapt or copy. And lots more besides. Enjoy!
Click here for the full contents and index for SOFII’s direct mail showcase.
The summary report of the Commission on the Donor Experience into direct mail fundraising can be found here.
Dogs Trust: ‘Home from Home’ direct mail appeal
by Amber Gerrard-Maxwell
This bright, bold and compelling fundraising campaign from Dogs Trust exceeded all expectations. With a record number of dogs in need of homes, the ‘Home from Home’ appeal raised vital funds to expand the charity’s foster caring network. It smashed its targets and saved many dogs who had nowhere else to go.
Read moreSt. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation: ‘One Song’ direct mail
by John Lepp
This warm direct mail appeal has it all. Using great copy and simple and effective design, the appeal begins a beautiful conversation with each donor. Unsurprisingly, the results and emotional responses from supporters of St. Pat’s prove that taking time to craft a special appeal can really pay off. Dive in and get inspired before writing your next appeal.
Read moreNational Trust for Scotland: ROOTS regular giving campaign
by Joe Nicholson
For membership organisations, recruiting regular givers isn’t always easy – but with a beautiful new regular giving product, the National Trust for Scotland certainly succeeded.
Read moreMennonite Central Committee Canada: Tigray, Ethiopia crisis appeal
by BuildGood
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada wanted to help refugees of the Tigray crisis in Ethiopia, but they’d only just finished an appeal for victims of the war in Ukraine. Would their kind donors be willing to give again so soon? Find out what happened next, here.
Read moreRainforest Rescue: ‘You can help build the Daintree’s largest nursery’
by Karl Tischler
Discover how a small but visionary environmental charity exceeded all expectations when it came to both fundraising and planting more trees.
Read moreMeals on Wheels San Francisco: ‘Deliver Hope’ Giving Tuesday appeal
by Clay Buck
Clay Buck was vaguely sceptical about Giving Tuesday, but then a campaign came along that changed his mind. It took the Giving Tuesday ethos and turned it into something very special – and here’s how.
Read moreMedical Aid for Palestinians: Two Christmas appeals, one wish for Palestine
by nick mawer
In this case study Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) share how they built on great donor relationships to power not one but two Christmas campaigns in just a month. Keep reading to find out how they did it and discover the surprising results!
Read moreToybox: Not just an Easter appeal
by Robbie Rae
During the coronavirus pandemic, Toybox (a charity dedicated to helping street children) came up with a clever campaign that gave their donors plenty of choice. What was the result? They raised average gift and smashed their fundraising target too.
Read moreSAVE FINZ: Emergency direct mail appeal
by Joe Burnett
Facing difficult financial straits due to coronavirus, the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand launched an unprecedented matched funds appeal and brought in support from all around the world.
Read moreThe Canadian Lung Association: Santa Door Drop
by Steve Thomas
It’s the simplicity of this door drop that really makes it a hit. And a Canadian classic no less! By recreating the ruddy cheeks, red garb and big beard of the classic Coca-Cola Santa, Steve Thomas and Ross Reid gave donors something familiar and fun to latch onto.
Read moreLife Education Australia: ‘Healthy Harold’ and the giraffe business appeal
by Steve Thomas
With a target audience of only a few hundred prospective donors, fundraiser Steve Thomas (of ST) and charity Life Education brought in thousands of Australian dollars with this iconic campaign.
Read moreSt. Vincent de Paul: Bear direct mail brings cute and cuddly back to Christmas
by Daniel Alvey
This festive direct mail campaign featured a cute, cuddly, heart-warming character called ‘Vincent the bear’. It was the first direct mail pack sent to warm donors who had been recruited online and the results prove that thinking positively and telling a great story really can lead to fundraising success.
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