Major donors showcase

Major donors: all you need to become a truly successful major donor fundraiser

This showcase is produced in partnership with I.G. Advisors.

Major donor fundraising is one of the most important but delicate areas of the fundraiser's profession. This showcase will equip you with all the tools you need to become a truly successful major donor fundraiser. 

Click here for the full contents and index for SOFII’s major donors showcase. 

I.G.’s Field Guide to Relationship-Based Fundraising: a free resource for the sector

by Jasmine Awad

Discover a useful free guide to maximising your major donor fundraising potential. This guide is available in both English and Spanish.

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So you want more major gifts this year? Here’s the secret!

by Claire Axelrad

Are you thinking of asking a major donor for a gift? Claire Axelrad’s top tips will guide you through how to do so successfully.

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Life Education Australia - Healthy Harold the giraffe business appeal

by Steve Thomas

With a target audience of only a few hundred prospective donors, fundraising expert Steve Thomas and Life Education brought in thousands of Australian dollars with this iconic campaign.

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What Donors Want - perhaps the most crucial podcast you’ll hear this month. Episode three.

by Rachel Stephenson Sheff

We bring you the third episode of I.G. Advisors' superb podcast What Donors Want in which you can hear a fascinating interview with Adam Askew, head of funding partnerships for Comic Relief.

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How MQ’s brilliant faith in relationships is launching them into sustainability

by Rachel Stephenson Sheff

The major donors showcase: a great story from UK mental illness charity MQ shows the power of maintaining close relationships with donors. 

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Islamic Relief UK: Raising £180,000 via WhatsApp and Facebook messaging

by Emily Collins-Ellis

A clever and modern use of technology by Islamic Relief UK demonstrates how regular interaction with major donors can yield great results by bringing them closer to the charity’s cause.

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ActionAid’s Bold Move: giving donors a say over strategy

by Emily Collins-Ellis

Will you dare to be this bold? When ActionAid UK decided to embark on a new strategy they decided to consult with their major donors. The results may astonish you.

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What Donors Want - perhaps the most crucial podcast you'll hear this year. Episode two.

by Rachel Stephenson Sheff

What Donors Want episode two features a dynamic philanthropic couple, Lynne and Peter Smitham who co-founded the Kiawah Trust in 2004. Their experiences have been varied and fascinating as they look to have the best impact with their money.

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CDE project 9 summary: major donors

by The Commission on the Donor Experience

This project will look at what’s cutting edge in major donor development with a view to capturing these lessons and where appropriate suggesting how major donor experiences might be applied to other groups of donors too.

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How thank-you letters can help you achieve your major giving potential

by Ikhlaq Hussain

Ikhlaq Hussain shares his expert advice on how to write considerate, effective thank-you letters for major donors that are more likely to lead to further donations. 

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Are you asking for gifts personally, face-to-face?

by Simone Joyaux

Simone Joyaux has a wealth of experience in how to talk to donors and asks a very pertinent question: are you asking for gifts personally, face-to-face?

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NSPCC: Legacy-themed Garden of Magical Childhood

by Claire Routley

This garden was designed to demonstrate how gifts in supporters’ wills supported the NSPCC’s work. It is a beautiful and unique way to  take visitors on a special journey through history.

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