Individual giving

UK Fundraising has learned that two chain letter appeals are circulating in the UK.

One asks you to send a compliment slip to "a young boy, Craig John, who is, sadly, terminally ill with cancer." He wants to get into the Guinness Book of Records for holding the largest collection of compliment slips. You are then asked to pass on this request to "ten other places" or organisations.

The chain letter appeal, whether by post or e-mail, is still fooling people at some prestigious organisations.

If you're disatisfied or frustrated with your fundraising adverts, then enjoy Jeffrey Zeldman's Advertising Graveyard.

The Fundraiser's Phrase Book contains thousands of powerful phrases designed for the non-profit professional.

Arranged by keyword, the phrases include hundreds of ways to ask for help, support, donations, gifts, aid, sponsorship, money, members, and volunteers. The book lists creative, donor-friendly salutations, beginnings and transitions as well as clever envelope teasers.

Internet magazine is holding the UK Internet Awards. One of the categories is Best non-profit use of the Internet, sponsored by BT Intranet Services.

Oxfam UK & Ireland is demonstrating an innovative integration between Web-based and paper-based information for existing donors.

The Arthritis and Rheumatism Council have won in the Charity Sector of this year's Telemarketing Awards.

"More than 20% of those telephoned agreed to give regular gifts, with an average four-year value of 252".

The Nonprofit Software Index at the Center for Public Service at Seton Hall University provides information online about a range of fundraising software packages for US non-profits.

The site covers fundraising software in the areas of

• fundraising and marketing software
• matched giving software
• membership management software
  

Charities can apply their experience with using the telephone to raise funds by incorporating a call-me button on their site.

This triggers a telephone call to the site owner, or their call centre, asking them to call back the enquirer who clicked on the button on their Web site.

The American Grant Writer Online is offering a suite of marketing tools and services for non-profits.

These tools include Project Planner© , Donor Researcher©, and Proposal Writer© which are all are interactive tools. Along with Presentations and Web Site, they constitute a comprehensive, online, marketing service.