Amnesty International: the pen pack

by SOFII

Amnesty needed a powerful and effective means of recruiting new donors to their great cause. This was it. This was, as far as we know, the first ever occasion when a free pen was included in an acquisition mailing, in the UK at least. This mailing was both brilliantly successful and started a trend that led to a flood of imitators.

SOFII has just restructured its massive direct mail, door drops and household deliveries showcase – the world’s biggest and best direct mail swipe file. Check it out here.

Help Hollie ‘pants on your head’ campaign

by John Logan

A heartwarming, bittersweet story for Anthony Nolan blood cancer charity. Follow the link to learn of Hollie’s brave and funny campaign to raise both money and awareness.

SOS Children's Villages Norway: would you give your jacket to Johannes?

by Suzi Attree

Would you give your coat to a freezing child? Strangers help a young boy sitting alone without a jacket in freezing weather in a campaign that raised awareness of the plight of Syrian refugees.

Becoming the bee, with Jean Bishop

by Alfie Waldron

Meet Jean, a 91-year-old with a passion for fundraising, a smile for everyone she meets and a brilliant homemade bee costume.

WWF: Virtual reality tiger experience

by SOFII

Experiential marketing and virtual reality are a roaring success for WWF UK's Adopt a Tiger face-to-face campaign.

Durham Cathedral in LEGO: innovative buy-a-brick fundraising

by Sue Kershaw

An innovative version of traditional buy-a-brick fundraising with a spectacular totaliser and easily replicable as a fundraising mechanic. 

Cesvi ‘thank-you’ campaign

by Joe Burnett

One of Italy's largest international aid and development NGOs, Cooperazione e Sviluppo  (co-operation and development), or Cesvi, took advantage of their president stepping down to send a simple, effective and personal letter to their 5,000 most loyal donors. 

Friends of the Earth: Looking after supporters when the media storm hit

by SOFII

When a media storm hit the sector and put fundraising under the microscope, Friends of the Earth acted quickly to get in touch with their donors. They gave them the opportunity to comment both frankly and freely on how the organisation was communicating with them. But what did their supporters have to say?

The Redwood’s Gratitude Report: Ana’s story

by SOFII

A wonderful emotional mail-out from The Redwood, a shelter and support charity for women and children escaping domestic abuse based in Canada.

Toronto Humane Society's ‘Benjamin’ year end mailing

by SOFII

The Toronto Humane Society told a simple story well, sharing the case of Benjamin Buddy, an ‘orphaned’ dog with high care costs, via an eye-catching mail-out. It gave them an opportunity to thank their donors and share information on how their gifts were making a difference.

The Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada (VON Canada) 2014 report to donors

by SOFII

In 2014, the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada sent a comprehensive report to their donors, showing them how a new way of working could be implemented by an old, well-established organisation very successfully. By making use of new technology, they were able to explain the transition to donors, respond to their needs and choices and continue their tremendous service to their users.

Whitney Museum of American Art: Curate Your Own Membership

by SOFII

A unique example of a membership model that allows members to select what they want based on interest and useage not on traditional demographics.