Good fundraising is about more than just showing need
I've found a short film of a story that's often attributed to David Ogilvy. David was on his way to work and he saw a blind man sitting on the pavement with a sign that said… I am blind. Beneath the sign was a hat...
Value Vs cost
I'm rather proud to say that I'm a Colonel. Not just any Colonel. I am a Kentucky Colonel. For people who don't live in Kentucky, let me explain in a little more detail. "A commission for a Kentucky Colonel is given by the Governor and...
Online donors have letter boxes too
Here's another couple of charts that Damian O'Broin from Ask Direct and I shared at IOF London on our international mystery shopping exercise. It gives a few more insights in to how charities are integrating email and postal communications. One of our most surprising findings...
Who sends your emails?
Along with Damian O'Broin of the rather good Irish fundraising agency, Ask Direct, I presented some findings taken from a massive international mystery shopping exercise (270 charities in six countries) at IOF London yesterday. I'm going to post the full presentation online, but I thought...
How to win donors and influence them
How to win friends and influence people was one of the first self-help books ever published. Written by Dale Carnegie in 1936, it has been constantly in print and sold millions of copies world-wide. I don't know if Dale ever turned his hand to fundraising,...
600 thank you letters
Charities spend a huge amount of money and time on creating appeal packs but the most important part of the relationship building process – the acknowledgement – is often little more than an afterthought. If you think your own set of thank you letters might...
Coca Cola turns vending machines into collection boxes
If you feel a little thirsty next time you're in Japan and decide to make a trip to your nearest vending machine for a refreshing beverage, you'll find more than a few cans of Coke on offer. You'll also be able to support the Japanese...
Are you suffering from a royal wedding hangover?
Having analysed the results for a number of appeals and spoken to fundraisers from throughout the sector, it looks like we are suffering from a royal wedding DM hangover. Fundraising campaigns that were mailed in the run up to Easter or shortly after the wedding...
Have you got a magic drawer?
This is a photograph of Shanon Doolittle's magic drawer. As you'll see, it's packed full of cards - greeting cards, thank you cards, anniversary cards – every sort of card that might be useful to show a donor that you appreciate their support. Of course,...
The Essentials
Crack the Code to Regular Giving: Insights, Strategies, and a Special Giveaway!
‘Tis Halloween. Keep to the light and beware the Four Fundraisers of the Apocalypse!
Why do people give? The Donor Participation Project with Louis Diez.
A guide to fundraising on the back of a postcard
What does the latest research tell us about the state of fundraising?