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.
Mencap: Christmas appeal
by SOFII
This is a colourful, well-designed appeal that makes very good use of an attractive and appropriate involvement device to raise more money – and make donors feel good.
Read moreMuscular Dystrophy Group: envelope test
by SOFII
In tests, when groups of fundraisers were asked, ‘which of these five envelopes do you think would provoke the best response?’, they almost invariably opted for the letter that looks most like a letter from a friend.
Read moreWomankind Worldwide: donor recruitment mailing
by SOFII
This high quality direct mail package cleverly involves donors in delivering support and practical encouragement to a real individual.
Read moreGreenpeace Frontline: launch of a high level monthly giving scheme
by Charlotte Grimshaw
This was an early monthly giving scheme by Greenpeace UK. Within a short while, one fifth of all its income was coming from Frontline members.
Read moreThe National Campaign for Tolerance: The Wall of Tolerance appeal
by Mal Warwick
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a hugely impressive organisation. It’s also an organisation that many donors feel most passionately about. This is one of the most moving and long-lasting donor involvement campaigns in the USA and represents some of the best that the direct marketer’s art can produce.
Read moreRSPCA New South Wales: project Guardian Angel
by SOFII
This is a charming appeal with wonderful photography and a great one-off proposition. Milo (that’s him opposite) could have been adopted several times over just by the SOFII office alone!
Read moreLawrence Park Community Church: appeal for a sign
by SOFII
When the church needed a sign the preacher didn’t ask God, instead he appealed to his parishioners and lo, a sign was forthcoming. More appropriately, the preacher set his sights on one single parishioner.
Read moreGreenpeace UK’s ‘forget it’ pack reactivation mailings
by SOFII
It’s easy now to forget that as recently as 20 years ago giving by direct debit was a comparative rarity. The paradigm for most fundraisers with large donor bases was the annual renewal cycle. This is the first mailing from a particularly good example of a renewal series, from Greenpeace UK.
Read moreLongwood Gardens direct mail membership acquisition pack
by SOFII
Colourful and creatively appealing, this package is also a textbook example of good direct mail acquisition practice.
Read moreChildren’s Wish Foundation: the power of a story
by SOFII
All nonprofits need to tell stories. Through storytelling you will build deeper connections with your supporters and, ultimately, raise more money for your cause.
Read moreDogs Trust: sponsor a dog
by SOFII
One of the most imaginative, instructive adaptations of the concept fundraisers have dubbed ‘the best fundraising proposition of all time’.
Read moreJerry Falwell’s Liberty Alliance: emergency appeal for cash
by SOFII
Whether or not one agrees with the ‘achievements’ and ‘aspirations’ contained within the letter, it has to be said that they have been given forcefully and with emotion. This is a real battle cry.
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