How to raise money to build a cathedral (medieval edition)
One of my key learnings from my conversation with Giles Pegram (you can listen to the podcast here) was the recognition that the techniques he used for the NSPCC appeals were not new – they dated back to the middle ages. So after our chat,…
Why do people give? The podcast with Lyndall Stein
Lyndall is a remarkable fundraiser. Her experience includes setting up the UK fundraising operation for the African National Congress when Nelson Mandela was still in prison. She then went on to work for the Terrence Higgins Trust when HIV and AIDS were still beyond treatment…
How Oxfam used new power in the 1960s to help a group of teenagers raise £5 million.
A short while ago I met up with Giles Pegram to record his reflections and thoughts about why people give? (which you can hear here). As part of this discussion, Giles told me how he got into fundraising. His story repeatedly brought to mind the…
The twelve appeals of the year
Right. It’s almost Christmas. What do most of us do to celebrate? Spend too much, eat too much and drink too much? Probably. But there’s also time for a little retrospection. What are we proud of? What’s great? What (or who) has been a right…
Why do people give? The podcast with Ken Burnett
This was another treat for me. Ken remains a huge influence on my thinking and this is the first time I’ve been able to dig into who and what influenced him. We kick off with a history of ActionAid. Ken shows how an open mind…
Why do people give? The podcast with Giles Pegram
One of the breakthrough moments in my career came when I began to understand just how much we could learn from our fundraising predecessors about how we should raise money today. I’m not talking about the last decade or so. I’m talking about going deep…
Charity Research Round Up. Issue 3
Welcome to the third edition of Bluefrog Fundraising’s Research Digest. In this edition, we’re focusing on a study from the archives which relates to much of our thinking at the moment about the impact of choice on how donors give. If this area interests you…
The new authenticity: Just adding handwriting to an appeal doesn’t equate to reality
Creating and maintaining an authentic relationship is a key part of the Bluefrog approach to fundraising. James Waring, our Head of Engagement, explains why. In the 10 years that I’ve worked in Fundraising one thing has always been true – Donors value authentic content. You’ll…
Three ways to supercharge your charity newsletter (time-warp edition)
One of my most popular posts was written back in 2010. It described how you could raise more money and build better relationships with donors by producing a great newsletter. You can find it here (but with the march of time and shifting platforms, most…
Where is the value in subscription box fundraising?
Over the last few years, there’s been a huge growth in commercial subscription box schemes. Most work in the same way. For a monthly payment you get a box of sample products that you might like – make-up, artistic prints, coffees, sweets, beers, clothes, snacks,…
