The SOFII reading rooms
This section is specially for the well-read fundraiser, or for anyone who wants to be one. Because any fundraiser who is not well up on the sector’s required reading is going to be quickly left behind.
So think of the SOFII reading rooms as a library, a quiet place that you can visit whenever you want to get specialist and expert information on a range of interests, issues and activities that will help you in your job.
Follow the links below and you’ll find real magic in the articles featured here.
Top tips from leading fundraisers
The focus in this section is on practical ‘how to’ lists. Here the world's leading fundraisers share the distilled wisdom of their experience in digestible bite-sized nuggets that you can use immediately. For feature articles, reviews and editorials, please visit the rest of SOFII’s reading room.
125 Articles
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Opinion pieces
Many of the issues that matter most to fundraisers are far from clear cut. Here, in a series of illustrated feature articles, seasoned practitioners and newcomers alongside leading figures from the world of fundraising are free to give vent to their passionately-held views and opinions. Join the big debates or study the side issues so you can work out your own view on what matters most.
87 ArticlesVisit this reading room now.
Welcome to the special world of Lucy. In her monthly column for SOFII, Lucy Innophoria will be commenting on the latest fundraising techniques and innovations from all over the world.
The bad nonprofit ads showcase
In this entertaining and informative showcase, Jeff Brooks, creative director of TrueSense marketing in the USA, and others will be highlighting the bad, the ugly and the very worst of fundraising adverts in the hope that we all can learn from the mistakes of others, as well as our own.Email your bad ad finds to carolina@sofii.org.
Here at SOFII, we are always looking for new examples of innovation, creativity and great storytelling – and they don’t just have to come from the charity sector. In this showcase, you’ll find some brilliant advertisements that have inspired, amused and surprised the public – something that we should be doing with our donors on a regular basis. Everybody has their own favourite adverts – why not tell us yours?
How I wrote it
Fergal Byrne introduces you to some celebrated fundraising copywriters, who will reveal the thoughts behind their successful fundraising communications. They share what makes a great fundraising letter, what rules you should follow and which not– and they don’t always agree.
Moments of inspiration
Here at SOFII, we know that fundraising is a tough job… especially when faced with unresponsive, critical donors and ever-increasing budgets. To succeed you need new ideas, knowledge and above all, you need to be inspired. So that’s why we’re bringing you our new ‘moments of inspiration’ showcase, a place where your stories and memories can remind us of the essentials you need to create lasting and positive change in the world.
The SOFII history project
Welcome to the SOFII history project. An illustrated journey through fundraising's history with commentary by Mark Phillips especially for SOFII users.
Presentation showcase
In this showcase, we aim to collect the very best presentations and interactive how-to guides to help improve your fundraising. If you can think of a presentation that you’d like to see in there then please let us know.
You know that fundraising is hard work. To be successful you need to be well equipped to take on all its challenges. At SOFII, we thought you might like some help. So we’ve put together this fundraiser’s toolkit that we’ll be filling with essential examples, formats, articles, case studies, ideas and tips that we think every fundraiser should know about.
This is a place where fundraisers can learn how to be an effective client and ensure that not so much as a penny of donor’s faithfully given money is wasted.
This is a tiny room at the moment, but we started it anyway so that if you are new to fundraising or have completely changed your working environment you can find out how others in the same position are getting the best from SOFII.
Visit this reading room now.
Just the best books, films and videos, summarised, reviewed and recommended one by one by your peers, to help you to have a bookshelf that you can rely on, that contains only the best published works on fundraising to be found anywhere. Fundraisers will find here reviews of the cream of fundraising’s best books.
26 Articles
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Tributes
Here SOFII and SOFII readers accord their appreciation of significant individuals, when the need arises.
8 ArticlesVisit this reading room now.
The Huntsinger tutorials
Jerry Huntsinger is the dean of direct mail fundraising. Now, just for you, he’s sharing his wisdom.
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