Study, Peruse, Pinch, Adapt…And Prosper

I’m a writer and I love it.  For me there’s absolutely no better way to spend my working hours than to work with words, arrange them just so on a page to capture and sustain a reader’s interest…motivate that reader to take action (whatever action my client wants that reader to take) …then turn that reader into a committed friend and donor for one of the many great organizations DSA partners with.

 I also hate it.

 Gene Fowler, a writer with whom I’m not at all familiar, but whom I trust just the same because he understands writes, “Writing is easy:  All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.”

 Writing’s also like designing. Or developing strategies. 

 If you spend any time at the computer composing words or designing packages—or if you spend hours coming up with ideas to bump results, land new donors, revitalize giving and build your organization, you experience the same thing: blood, sweat and tears.

 Well, you’re not alone. And you’re not without resources.

 First, a plug for DSA. We’re here to help out in any way we can. Our Creative Services Department is now under the new leadership of one Billy Vaudry. This man with the charming southern drawl brings with him tremendous knowledge, success and energy. We have writers and designers who dig direct response and making it work…savvy strategists…big-brained analysts… online gurus…anybody you need to get your job done.

 But if you’re on your own, I suggest you add www.sofii.org. to your list of ready resources.

 SOFII ( The Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration) has been online since founder Ken Burnett launched it in 2007.

 Ken Burnett, now retired, is a big shot in the world of fundraising in the United Kingdom, and has raised tens of millions of dollars for nonprofits around the world. He came up with the idea for this free, online library of fundraising winners because he wants to make effective, innovative ideas available to everyone – big budget organizations as well as those working on a dime.

 He knows the importance of a good idea as well as the power of stealing (or in his words, pinching) one. One of his biggest successes as a fundraiser was for a tiny charity called Book Aid International. He writes:

 “… I’d introduced an idea called the Reverse Book Club …you pay £6.00 per month and three books get sent, in your name, to Africa, where they are needed. Now, several years later, I am held in high regard at Book Aid International because the Reverse Book Club, it turns out, has saved them.

 “But I didn’t have the original idea. I borrowed it. Well, I stole it actually, from the American Bible Society.

 “As far back as the 1970s, I just happened to know, they had a scheme called The Reverse Bible of the Month scheme. You pay $3.00, they send a bible in your name to someone in China.

 “Why should God have all the best ideas? I pinched it. And adapted it. And gave it to Book Aid International. I was just lucky that I knew someone who knew someone who knew about the Reverse Bible of the Month scheme.”

 His pinching (not plagiarism, mind you!) from ABS, and applying to another helped a fledgling charity grow and prosper. 

 Pinching pays off!

 Hence the SOFII Foundation was established and the website launched. Today, folks responsible for generating millions of dollars year after year to keep their causes going are welcome (even encouraged!) to borrow from some of the best fundraising projects ever.

 While nothing replaces the hard work of sitting down before a blank screen and placing the words or images just so, outside input provides a great amount of fodder. Besides, I believe someone in the Bible even said there’s no new thing under the sun!

 Over the years my personal library has grown to include some outstanding resources, SOFII included. I’d recommend you add it to your list of resources.  Who knows what you might pinch that will help your work pay off big for your organization!

 Among the 229 current exhibits available for perusal, pinching and adaptation here are three you no doubt heard about in Sunday school but never connected with fundraising:

• Paul the Apostle’s appeal to donors to secure new, regular, and committed donors in Corinth for famine relief and ongoing good works.
• Moses and the tabernacle…how he understood both his audience and the nuances of fundraising to generate enough money from a tribe of wanderers to build a tabernacle.
• King David and the most successful major donor banquet of all times. How he raised $400 million in pledged gifts in one night at a major donor dinner!

One thing I appreciate about our DSA leadership is their willingness to provide information to those who need it, but lack the resources to engage our services. I think SOFII is like that as well.

 I hope this link gives you ideas and gets your creative juices flowing whenever you need them.  Pinch away!!