Donor First always beats Digital First
Buzzwords can be difficult creatures. As soon as they start appearing in the fundraising lexicon, they slowly build their power until they have a life of their own. One that I'm hearing pretty regularly at the moment is Digital First. It turns up in conversations...
The Ladder of Fundraising Effectiveness
As one of the founders of modern fundraising, Redmond Mullin left us a huge amount of his knowledge in his books. If you find a copy of Foundations of Fundraising and The Fundraising Handbook grab them. Flick through a few pages and you'll soon find...
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,...
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...
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...
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?