The best of SOFII’s ‘how to’ features,
arranged by subject (plus some video links and other stuff).
Developing big ideas
• Why should God have all the best ideas?
• The value of a great swipe file.
Fundraising fundamentals
• Ruthellen Rubin on grassroots fundraising at its best.
• Marc Pitman’s guide to do-it-yourself fundraising.
and another article from Marc, on recession-proof fundraising.
• Ken Burnett’s eleven pillars of fundraising wisdom.
• Frances Hurst’s top ten tips for holding on to your fundraisers. (PDF)
• The 29 essential foundations of fundraising.
Cutting-edge direct marketing
• Nick Allen’s nine tips for effective emails. (PDF)
• Sean Triner explains how to increase your appeals income by up to 40 per cent.
SOFII’s debates
• Sean Triner takes on Tom Ahern: Is the newsletter dead?
• Lisa Sargent challenges Sean Triner: Should you ask again, in a Thank-you letter?
Donor care, stewardship and donor development
• Lisa Sargent’s Thank-you letter clinics, parts one and two.
• Lisa Sargent’s sample thank-you letters for you to swipe.
• Gordon Michie on stewardship. (PDF)
• Jonathan Grapsas’ 15 steps to brilliant donor care.
• Failing to hit the (bench) mark: report from John Grain Associates (PDF)
Clear, effective communication
• George Smith’s wise words on how to write right.
• Ken Burnett on how to write a headline that pulls.
• Pamela Grow shares secrets of writing great proposals.
• Tom Ahern’s suggestions for ‘self-auditing’ your communications. (PDF)
• Marc Pitman on why you should twitter.
• Bob Levy on why we must change our words.
• Richard Turner’s video advice for telling a great story.
• Following Richard’s advice, Ken Burnett with two grainy, shaky but inspiring stories, Gabriella’s new feet and The worst tourist in the world.
While we’re on video, click here for
• UNICEF’s Per Stenbeck on passion.
Fundraising from foundations and trusts
• Jo Habib’s ten things you should remember when writing to trusts and foundations.
• Pamela Grow on secrets of writing great proposals.
Demographics and getting the best from your database
• Robert Weiner: ‘There’s a database that’s just right for you.’ (PDF)
• Judith Nichols’ten reasons why we’re not the way we were. (PDF)
• John Rodd’s eight easy steps to calculate donor profitability. (PDF)
Insights on education
• David Hazeltine’s lessons from the higher education sector. (PDF)
• Lyndi Smith’s top tips for raising money to fund your way through college.
Governance and boards
• Ken Burnett on how to build a better board (parts 1 and 2).
Legacies (bequests)
• NSPCC legacy training: how a new approach evolved.
• Mal Warwick’s what you really need to know about legacy marketing.
• Rich Fox on how to use the telephone to develop bequests.
New technology
• Dick McPherson on the new charities.
General advice for fundraisers
• Ken Burnett’s ‘15 things I’d do if I were the new head of donor development’, parts one and two. (PDFs)
• George Smith on dislocation. ‘It didn’t used to be like this’.
• Barry Gower on why Gift Aid isn't working
• Dick McPherson’s striking ideas for your stategy.
Shortcuts to SOFII’s ‘places to see’
• The Jerry Huntsinger tutorials on direct mail fundraising.
• 20 fundraising questions answered.
• Links to top sites of outstanding interest.
• SOFII’s legacies showcase.
• The Great and the Good. SOFII’s tribute to fundraising’s high achievers.
• Lisa Sargent’s thank-you letter clinic.
• Are you being left behind?
• Why should God have all the best ideas?
• SOFII’s site map.
• Meet SOFII’s ambassadors.
• Ways you can help SOFII now.
