Welcome to the first edition of Research Digest, a semi-regular round-up of research related to all things fundraising. Once a month or so, we’ll select some recently published research along with a selection of projects from the last few years that we think are worth a second look. Bluefrog is an insight-led agency who believe…
Here comes the final part of Steve Lynch’s guide to writing great fundraising copy. If you’ve missed the earlier posts, you can find part one here and part two here. We kick off today with M. M is for Monkey Do you notice anything odd about the monkey I’m holding (I’m the one on the…
It’s time for part two of the fundraising copy writing guide from Bluefrogger, Steve Lynch. As before, remember that this is a little tongue in cheek but packed full of great advice. Part one is here if you missed the previous post. Today, we are taking you from G to L. And we start with…
I thought I’d share a copy writing guide put together by Bluefrog writing ace, Steve Lynch. Slightly tongue in cheek, it offers a host of tips derived from years of writing hundreds of fantastic charity appeals. His advice should raise a few smiles and hopefully boost your income. It’s pretty long so I’ll be sharing…
A few weeks ago, I was reading BARB’s 2018’s Viewing Report and saw a mention of Harold Pollack, a professor at the University of Chicago. Back in 2013 he shared his views on personal finance advice, saying: “[The best personal finance advice] can fit on a 3-by-5 index card, and is available for free in…
This week fundraisers in the UK have been lucky enough to get their hands on two new studies packed with some great insights about what’s happening in the market. CAF have released the latest update to their ongoing study into donor behaviour, UK Giving and the IOF have published Fundraising for Impact, a survey of…
For much of the past decade, UK fundraisers have worked in a market that has struggled to grow. Latest figures actually indicate a decline in income. Stagnation means one thing – it is impossible for all charities to raise more money. Many are actually spending more to stand still. And that should have a profound…
Today is World Book Day. Which is rather appropriate timing to ask you for some book related help. I recently met with someone who has a very large library of fundraising books that are not being used. It is packed full of volumes of great advice and interesting ideas that we’d like to get into…
There is virtually nothing new in fundraising. It’s one of the reasons I spend so much time in archives, hunting around for historical examples of how people used to raise money for charity. I learn a huge amount that I can implement – with a few twists – in today’s fundraising environment. I’ve even compiled…
One of the things that has become apparent in Bluefrog’s ongoing qualitative research is a growing sense of negativity surrounding the issue of monthly gifts – particularly those paid by direct debits. This appears to be more than a general gripe. Take a look at the annual reports of some of the (precious few) charities…