Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 015

Well, the simulation is really pulling out all the stops these days, isn't it?

For my American fundraising friends, here's to hoping you were able to get some sleep between election week activities, virtual fundraising galas, online donation campaigns, and more. Also, did you take a moment to eat?

I've taken a quick moment to get some fresh Pacific coast air, and I'm excited to share another great round of knowledge coming from the community. So if you need a little break in the action, here's an easy reading list to keep your creative neurons firing.

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Great Fundraising Posts

7 Tips to Boost YouTube Live Virtual Fundraising Results

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

YouTube Live is just one real-time live-streaming option on the market. Many nonprofits are learning to harness its power to host excellent virtual fundraising events. This handy blog post is packed with great tips, tricks, and best practices to help you get the most out of your next YouTube Live virtual fundraising event.

Using Fundraising Principles for Good--and to Outwit Little Monsters

Jolene Miklas (Heroic Fundraising)

What does trick-or-treating and fundraising have in common? Well, loads of things, but this blog post probably doesn’t discuss the similarities you’re thinking of! Jolene shares some really valuable tips on how to connect with and motivate your donors, using some observations she made during this unusual, socially-distanced Halloween (for example, the magic of specificity.)

Truth Bomb #3: You Must Have Alignment of Mission

Richard Perry (Veritus Group)

Though this is the third blog in a series, it’s definitely a worthwhile stand-alone read! Many nonprofits have moved away from their deeper purpose and become organizations with diffused focus. This can have a dramatic impact on how you connect with donors and even carry out your mission! Keep reading for some “hard truth” insights on how moving away from your mission impacts the day-to-day operations and effectiveness of your organization.

The Power of a Personal, Unexpected Thank You

Roger Craver (The Agitator)

By the time you read this, the US election will (hopefully) be over, but there’s actually much that we fundraisers can learn from the fundraising efforts of the political campaigns. Unfortunately, there’s actually a lot of “fundraising malpractice” out there in political fundraising. In this blog post, Roger shares some of the “do’s” and “don’ts” we can take away from the recent election fundraising cycle.

5 Ways Charitable Giving Is Good For Donors

Jeff Brooks (Moceanic)

We all face injustices, pains, and things that break our hearts every day. Issues that make us feel angry or helpless. Giving to organizations doesn’t erase our pain, but it can help re-orient it and help us become less of a victim to it. This is just one of many ways that giving is actually good for our donors. Keep reading to learn more about how charitable giving is actually a gift to your supporters!

3 Spooky Year-End Fundraising Metrics that Wil Make You Rethink Your Strategy

Riley Landenberger (Next After)

Are you feeling the pressure to design the perfect year-end fundraising campaign to round out a challenging year? This blog has some really significant metrics to consider. For example, did you know that 70% of all emails sent during year-ednd campaigns were solicitations? Learn why these numbers matter and how you can use them to your advantage!

4 Ways to Keep Online Donors from Leaving Before They Donate

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Is your website helping donors give to your organization? A well-designed donation page guides donors through the giving process in an easy, informative way. This blog has four great tips on how to ensure your website is actually helping your fundraising instead of causing donors to leave in the middle of the giving process.

Quick Guide to Writing Nonprofit Privacy and Legal Notice Webpages

Pamela Grow (Pamela Grow)

Your organization collects a shocking amount of confidential information about your donors and website users. With the rising number of data breaches and social media scandals, people are becoming increasingly wary of sharing personal information with organizations and businesses. It’s more important than ever to reassure your supporters that you are a trusted and secure organization that will protect their data. A Privacy and Legal Notice Webpage should be prominently featured on your website. This blog has some great tips and insight into how to create a Privacy and Legal Notice Webpage.

Hiring A Fundraising Copywriter

Mary Cahalane (Hands On Fundraising)

If writing isn’t your fort,e or your fundraising writing isn’t performing as you hoped, it might be time to outsource the writing to a copywriter who specializes in writing fundraising content. While it is an investment, choosing the right copywriter can make a big difference for your organization! This blog has some excellent tips and tricks about how to choose the a fundraising copywriter that fits your unique needs.