WoW!

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SOFII presents: World-Changers at Work

Yes, you can make a difference

Welcome to SOFII’s WoW! project, the world-changers at work. We like to think fundraising is about making a difference in the world, but is that always the case for every fundraiser? How do we empower people working in fundraising to transcend the idea of just ‘doing the job’ and inspire them to flourish, to really make a difference where it will matter most? Is it even desirable, or should fundraising just be about who can raise the most money? Are there lessons we can learn from the corporate sector?

The WoW! project will explore these questions and more, bringing you the voices of experts from both the voluntary sector and beyond but also from individual fundraisers and people starting out in the sector who feel they want to make the world a better place from their workplace. We’ll look at examples of companies and charities who do things differently, and offer our readers a chance to share their own experiences as well. How are you going to change the world?


The NSPCC and me: one fundraiser, one charity, 17 years of life-changing service

by Ben Swart

Ben Swart shares his 17-year journey as a fundraiser at the NSPCC. In this inspiring article, Ben reflects on his long service and explains why this charity will always hold a special place in his heart. It’s a must-read for any fundraiser just starting out in our sector. 

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Three things your organisation needs to know about corporate philanthropy

by Adam Weinger

Are you looking to make the most of your organisation’s corporate philanthropy programme? This article shares the three things you need to know before you get started. 

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Fundraising at the intersection of Blackness and Womanhood

by Kia Croom

We are delighted to bring you this podcast and article by Washington, DC based fundraiser Kia Croom. Kia brings you closer to the experiences of Black female fundraisers and reflects on a sector that isn’t practicing what it preaches.

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Inspired to change the world? How to be a voice for public policy change

by Sarah Daren

The WoW! project (World-changers at Work) returns with this handy guide from consultant Sarah Daren. It describes how ordinary people like you can influence, and even change, public policy. We think it is a must read for any passionate, campaigning fundraiser. 

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The Good Suspended video series part two - three more fantastic little films

by Francesco Ambrogetti

There is nothing ordinary about how these people are reaching out to help others. Innovation, kindness and generosity abound in these three videos celebrating the unsung heroes of the coronavirus pandemic.

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World-changers at Work - The Good Suspended video series part one

by Francesco Ambrogetti

All around the world, people are doing amazing things to help others cope during the coronavirus pandemic. Italian fundraiser Francesco Ambrogetti shares some of his favourites in this video series, entitled The Good Suspended.

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Meet the world-changers - overcoming adversity: an interview with Michelle Berriman

by Joe Burnett

This is one of the best interviews we’ve had on SOFII and certainly in the WoW! Project. Michelle Berriman, Executive Director at the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand, has had a fascinating and at times harrowing life. She has kindly and candidly shared her story with SOFII’s Joe Burnett to explain how she used her personal struggles to become a real world-changer at work.

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Art Fund: Crowdfunding to save Prospect Cottage (part two)

by Joe Burnett

We bring you part two of our interview with the fundraisers behind a successful crowdfunding campaign to save Derek Jarman’s home. In this instalment, SOFII explores the intricacies of how such a project works.

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World-changers at Work presents: SuperTeds

by Joe Burnett

These ten inspirational TED Talks lay out frameworks for making the world a better, fairer place through our work environments and interactions with those around us.

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WoW! Presents - Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity: Freya’s story

by Joe Burnett

From World-changers at Work, this is the story of how one brave teenager turned tragedy into opportunity and raised money for the people who saved her life.

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World-changers at Work presents: a life-stage fairytale - how Beryl and Clive found the meaning of life.

by Ken Burnett

In an excerpt of his Storytelling can change the world book recreated for World-changers at Work, Ken Burnett asks how fundraisers can help people find meaning in their life to make a difference to the world. The answer? Tell great stories.

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World-changers at Work: what can the charity sector learn from the climate change debate?

by Mark Dibden

Can the charities sector learn anything from the debate around climate change? If we want to change the world and better serve our beneficiaries, Mark Dibden of agency Cello Signal certainly thinks so.

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