Thunderbird School of Global Management: a 24-hour telethon to save their famous tower

by SOFII

There’s not much that’s new in alumni fundraising nor in running a ‘phoneathon’, but a 24-hour telephonic marathon so that you can call all your alumni wherever in the world they might be, that’s an idea well worth trying.

7 days 7 gifts – part of Give India’s ‘joy of giving’ week

by SOFII

Can one person really change the world? Well, as this exhibit demonstrates, he can certainly make a very good start. This is a wonderful example of how one man’s idea can motivate many.

Reprieve’s campaign for justice for Linda Carty: ‘death’s waiting room’

by SOFII

This compelling exhibit from Reprieve shows how to make a dramatic and powerful statement to attract public attention to your cause. The exhibition replicates the real death row cell of British grandmother Linda Carty, now facing imminent execution in Texas.

Coriell Institute for Medical Research: What’s in Your Genes - A Celebration of the Science of Genetics

by SOFII

This exhibit features a novel way of getting the attention of potential donors by sending a pair of denim jeans by mail, with a sponsorship proposal and the message, 'What's in your genes?'

The India Giving Challenge

by SOFII

By harnessing a competitive element to fundraising, GiveIndia were able to provide a new and unusual opportunity for all involved.

Jeans For Genes: statues wearing jeans

by SOFII

This is an original and fun idea that seems great for attracting awareness and as a backdrop against which the charity can easily rasie money from an intrigued and amused public.

The Beautiful Foundation: building philanthropy in South Korea with Lego block banks

by SOFII

The Beautiful Foundation wanted to further promote charitable giving in South Korea, during a time when a 'giving culture' was rapidly taking root. This campaign aimed to increase the awareness of the needs of children and poor people and to raise necessary financial social support through a non-conventional monetary system.

Dream A Dream: evenings out at the Little Theatre, Bangalore

by SOFII

An inspirational guide to nights out at the theatre, courtesy of Dream A Dream, Bangalore. The annual theatre production is a classic example of an exchange model, where all participants gain value through the collaboration. The audience, adults and children alike, enjoy an entertaining play by a leading theatre group. Dream A Dream is able to raise funds for its development activities.

Great Ormond Street Hospital: Christmas mailing from 1941

by Aline Reed

This direct mail appeal from 1941 has everything. Charm, courage, dedication and, perhaps most importantly, it is brilliantly innovative too. Plus, how many mailings have been preserved for 70 years and then end up being sold? Find out more in this great case study.

How to really understand fundraising’s reigning big idea, direct mail

by Mal Warwick

The foreword to this short and readable book summarises its value well, ‘For reluctant writers who need warm-up exercises and structured lessons…and for seasoned grant writers who get caught up in the jargon of our fields’…

Review by Jan Chisholm. 

Dove: the Campaign for Real Beauty and Dove Self-Esteem Fund

by Carolina Herrera

Here’s a company using exactly the same tactics that charities use to campaign for social change while, of course, rather effectively selling its prod…

Is this the best way to develop bequests?

by Rich Fox

Most organisations are surprised when they receive bequests. Many of the people who leave bequests do not even appear on the organisation’s donor file, and most of the others have been only low value donors for a number of years (and are often lapsed) -- not the kind of people who you might expect to leave a large bequest.