Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 19

Giving Tuesday? Check. End-of-year fundraising plans in motion? Check. Hurriedly making changes to online fundraising campaigns in motion as you're getting real-time feedback from donors and your teammates. On it.

As fundraisers around the world focus on smoothing out any speed bumps getting in the way of year-end fundraising, I've pulled together some tips and ideas that might come in handy in these final weeks of 2020. So grab a beverage, relax, and let's take a tour through the collective hive mind of knowledge for the week!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Great Fundraising Posts

The Nonprofit Fundraising Guide for Every Development Professional

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

Fundraising is a necessity, but it doesn’t need to feel like a necessary evil! This blog will help you build a fundraising plan that fits your organization’s strengths and mission. It includes a helpful overview of the types of fundraising nonprofits can rely on, as well as non-financial benefits of fundraising and regulations you should be aware of as you go. Make sure to read this blog before you jump into planning your 2021 fundraising goals.

Giving (Spam) Tuesday

Bill Jacobs (Analytical Ones)

GivingTuesday is over, now it’s time to look back and analyze what happened and how to improve next year. The team at Analytical Ones tracked the number of emails they received from organizations on Giving Tuesday (and other stats). Nonprofits can learn a lot about the information and data they collected and published in this blog! Have a look and see where your organization likely fell and how you might be able to switch things up for greater success in the future.

The Importance of Making Your New Donors Feel Welcome

Ann Green (Ann Green’s Nonprofit Blog)

Did you attract some new donors this year? It’s critical not to take them for granted! Even in the best of economic times, the retention rate for new donors is just over 20%. This blog will help you learn how to attract and retain new donors--it’s not rocket science! It includes practical actions like creating a welcome plan for new donors, saying “thank-you,” and having a year-round donor care plan. Keep reading to boost your new donor retention!

Virtual Board Meetings: How To Maintain Momentum Remotely

Sam Flaugher (re:Charity)

Like a lot of other things in 2020, many nonprofits moved their board meetings online as they were forced to get creative with their board management strategies. Virtual meetings can be very productive and beneficial, as long as there’s a strategy to help everyone work efficiently and stay engaged. This blog post will help you create a tech strategy to ensure you have the right tools and communication plan for your virtual board meetings!

Why Donor Complaints Are A Good Sign In Fundraising

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Complaints don’t really feel good, but they aren’t actually a bad thing because it means people are engaging with you! Surprisingly, the most successful campaigns are usually the ones that get the most complaints and… umm… “constructive feedback.” Head over to Jeff’s blog to hear more about why complaints from your donors are actually helpful to development professionals!

5 Basics of Online Meeting Etiquette in the COVID Era

Andrea Kihlstedt (Capital Campaign Masters)

In case you didn’t catch it, the transition to working virtually or remotely has been one of the biggest stories of 2020! We’ve all been learning on the fly about virtual meeting etiquette and all kinds of other skills. This blog (complete with dry sense of humor) is packed with really great insight into how you and your team can run fun, effective, productive virtual meetings (complete with the evolving “online meeting etiquette” that we’re all figuring out together)!

4 Supporters You Should Ask To Conduct Peer-to-Peer Fundraising During A Crisis

Guest Author (Get Fully Funded)

There are loads of really enthusiastic donors and supporters who are well-positioned to raise money on your behalf and expand your support network through peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. A select few “all-star” donors are particularly equipped to help you with peer-to-peer fundraising in times of crisis. Learn about the four types of potential fundraisers with the unique characteristics that position them to be extra helpful as we navigate challenging financial seasons.

Giving Out of Guilt: Good or Bad for Fundraising?

Amy Eisenstein (Amy Eisenstein)

It’s not surprising that development professionals who feel like they “HAVE” to fundraise typically aren’t as successful as those who have the mindset that they “GET” to fundraise. It’s important to cultivate a positive mindset toward fundraising--in part so we can help our donors cultivate a positive attitude toward giving. This blog has some invaluable insights and tips about how to cultivate a positive attitude and mindset around fundraising and giving so you’re not guilting your donors into giving!

The Impossible Job of A Director of Development

Richard Perry (Veritus Group)

Coming alongside mid and major donors is hard work! It requires a lot of strategy, focus, creativity, and relationship-building skills. In this blog, Richard and Jeff offer acknowledgement and support for any and all people who are directors of development! Read this blog to learn why this job is so challenging but absolutely critical to the success of your nonprofit. We think it’s a great read for anyone working for a nonprofit in any role!