The University of Manchester: Emergency hardship appeal

by Jemma Gurr

In a difficult time, this appeal demonstrates the power of reaching out to your community and simply asking for their help.

RNLI: We are one crew

by Joe Burnett

This short but wonderful video from the RNLI thanks donors for their ongoing support during the coronavirus pandemic. But crucially, it also sends out heartfelt hopes that they too are keeping safe and well through these trying times. 

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. 

Goderich ‘Mind and body’ campaign

by Steve Thomas

A lesson in how to tap into community spirit, this campaign shows how far you can go with a little expertise, the right approach and clear donor-focused messaging.

Big Dog Ranch - Great Give 2017

by Derrick Feldmann

With excellent donor stewardship using the latest technology and a bank of research to back its strategy, this campaign was a rip-roaring success and shows the value of learning from the past to improve on the present.

Baptist World Aid Australia: Growth Giver

by Fiona McPhee

A scene-stealer from SOFII’s I Wish I’d Thought of That (IWITOT) session at the International Fundraising Congress (IFC 2019), this campaign shows the virtue of great donor-centred communications and a bold vision.

Siloam Mission: hand-drawn gratitude report

by Mike Duerksen

This gratitude report is a wonderful piece of communication. By sharing the experiences of one beneficiary, Siloam Mission showed how their donors were at the heart of his story.

The 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.

Life 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.

Meet Nana Murphy: lessons in donor care from Merchants Quay Ireland

by SOFII-author

This inspirational case study celebrates the incredible work of Merchants Quay Ireland’s fantastic fundraising team. They transformed the fortunes of this small charity, multiplied its revenue more than tenfold, and provided essential assistance to people experiencing homelessness.

Amnesty International: The pen pack

by SOFII-author

Amnesty needed a powerful and effective means of recruiting new donors to their great cause. This was it. The pack 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.

Trigger warning: This case study includes images that some readers may find upsetting.

CDE project 3 appendix 2: frequently asked questions

by The Commission on the Donor Experience

In our research (see Appendix 4), several people mentioned barriers to measuring how their donors feel. This section lists the most common of these and gives our advice.