What can you learn from the early days of fundraising ads on TV?
This post follows the review of the early days of NSPCC TV advertising produced by Giles Pegram which can be read here. You need to read it before tucking in to what follows. There are hundreds of different charity ads on our TVs, but by…
How much has DRTV fundraising evolved since it was first made available to charities in 1991?
As one of the first fundraisers to use the medium when it was newly authorised in 1991, Giles shares his memories of the TV campaigns run by the NSPCC in to the 2000s as well as his thoughts on what – if anything – has…
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…
