SOFII is always looking for new volunteers to help us research, edit or translate material for the site, help us fundraise, promote and generally spread the word about SOFII. So if you have some time to spare and would like to join our vibrant team then email Carolina, our project manager, for more information. 

SOFII is always looking for new volunteers to help us research, edit or translate material for the site, help us fundraise, promote and generally spread the word about SOFII. So if you have some time to spare and would like to join our vibrant team then email Carolina, our project manager, for more information. 

Volunteers are one of our most valuable assets and we are extremely grateful for the skills, time and knowledge they share with us. That is why we also aim to offer a flexible programme that enables people from all around the world to volunteer with us from the comfort of their own home (provided they have an internet connection).

Meet our current volunteers:

Sarah Bond: editorial assistant

Hi, I’m Sarah and I’ve just joined the SOFII team as their editorial assistant. My background is in English Literature, having studied it for my degree and then going on to complete a Masters. With a lot of reading and a fair few essays under my belt, as well as more than a little time out to see some of the world, I decided to put my writing skills to more practical effect and trained as a journalist.

Since then I have worked with the fundraising and communications team at AMREF, an African health charity, learning a huge amount about how charities work and seeing the media from the ‘other side’! Keen to continue in the charity sector and looking for a new challenge, I was really pleased to become the latest member of the SOFII family.

Working for such an innovative organisation I know I’m going to gain invaluable experience and learn an incomprehensible amount about charities and their fundraising. So now I’m looking forward to sharing with you the amazing ideas and stories you have about the work you’re doing to raise money, awareness and support for your fantastic causes.

Contact me at sarah@sofii.org

Amy Cruse: Regular SOFII contributor

Hello, I’m Amy, a regular writer for SOFII, and I want to see and learn about as much of the world as possible… preferably while wearing a pair of lovely sparkly shoes. I recently graduated (in July 2010) from the University of Southampton with a 2:1 in geography. I had a brilliant three years and loved studying geography as there is a great practicality about the subject, which I believe is also true of SOFII; aiming to highlight a range of fundraising initiatives which can then be practically applied to other charities. I have been volunteering here in an editorial capacity since October 2010. I felt this is the area I was most able to help, as I am currently an editorial assistant at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society which I also started in October 2010… (I gave myself a relaxing three month break after graduating to ‘recover from the stresses of being a student’ – otherwise known as going travelling).

Volunteering with SOFII is proving to be an invaluable experience, not only helping me to develop my editorial skills but also in teaching me so much about the scope of fundraising, and the truly innovative ideas that have helped to make a difference to so many charities, and ultimately so many people. 

Charlotte Roden: SOFII researcher in the UK

Hi, I’m Charlotte and I’ve just started volunteering for SOFII. I recently graduated (July 2010) in History from Cambridge University, where studying twentieth century social history started me thinking about working for charities. After graduating I did a four month fundraising internship at a brilliant eye research charity, Fight for Sight. I learnt so much at Fight for Sight and met some great people (who I fully intend to pester mercilessly for their best fundraising campaigns).

I’m now working as a Fundraising Officer at the Royal College of GPs, where I hope to earn my spurs in fundraising. I’m keen to learn as much as possible about fundraising, and I thought that I would combine this with the research skills I learnt at uni, to volunteer as a researcher for SOFII. I love being inspired by other peoples’ genius ideas and interesting, creative, funny or irreverent campaigns (where appropriate, of course). 

Allison Costa: SOFII's social media expert

My name is Allison and I have just joined the volunteer ranks at SOFII in the social media arena. I am currently a communications officer and web producer for a large hospital system Rhode Island. I maintain the web presence for the fundraising departments of five partner hospitals which includes the behind-the-scenes management of online-giving tools as well as content creation.

I have been in the nonprofit world for about seven years, starting off as a development associate for major gifts and planned giving. I then moved to information services for development and now I am comfortably in the communications area of fundraising which fits me quite nicely. I love using all aspects of technology to communicate the mission of great nonprofits and I know that through being a part of SOFII, I will continue to learn how wonderful organisations utilize technology in new and interesting ways. I am looking forward to using social media to share your innovative and inspiring fund raising campaigns with the world!

When I am not being a tech-geek, I can be found crafting, making jewelry and perfecting cartoon character voices for the day I become a voice-over actor.

Vanessa Sherry: SOFII researcher in Canada

Hi I’m Vanessa and I have just started volunteering for SOFII. I am currently the Community Engagement Manager for the Canadian Breast Cancer Network and am constantly looking for innovative fundraising ideas! I have been in the fundraising world for a few years now, starting at McGill University where I volunteered as a publicity and fundraising director for two of their student run theatres. I also worked in event fundraising for the McGill Cancer Centre, where I learned a lot about major gifts and event management.

I feel that researching Canadian and American charities for SOFII will help others while broadening my knowledge of the fundraising activities that are out there. On a personal note, I am passionate about mental health issues and spreading the word about both treatment and awareness. I look forward to helping SOFII find all the great campaigns out there! 

Current volunteer opportunities

- Spanish/ French translators

- Researchers

- Fundraisers

- Editors

We like to assign our volunteers specific projects so that at the end of their volunteering period they can have a tangible end result which they can feel proud of.  

If you're interested please fill out this form and send it to Carolina.