Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 25

Living near downtown Washington DC has meant that life has seemed a bit different during the past week. There's the military presence, anti-climb fencing, and the types of things you see on TV in far away war zones.

So when I took a moment to leave the city for a hike and a view, I had a chance to take a deep breath of the cool air and think, "maybe those skies are beginning to part, and maybe we have better days ahead of us."

We're early in our journey together here in this newsletter, but I'm darn proud to work alongside fellow fundraising professionals looking to make the world a better, more just place. For those of you in the US, here's to a peaceful Inauguration Day tomorrow. After pausing for a moment tomorrow, let's get right back to work serving the communities we care so much about.

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Great Fundraising Posts

3 Elements of an Effective Fundraising Appeal Letter

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

Technology may change, but there’s still nothing quite like a real letter. Did you know that direct mail appeal letters are still one of the cornerstones of effective donor care and communication? They’re tangible, empathetic, and powerful touchpoints with your supporters. In this blog, Tim breaks down a few of the essential elements of an effective appeal letter and shares some tips on how to improve your next letter (including some sample letters)!

Overwhelmed. What Do You Do?

Richard Perry (Veritus Group)

What do you do when you’re feeling especially overwhelmed by the needs of the people you serve, the demands of your nonprofit, and keeping your donors engaged? The struggle is very real, especially if you’re working in a small nonprofit and you wear a lot of hats! Nonprofit experts, Jeff and Richard, offer some wise advice about how to navigate the challenging, exhausting, overwhelming seasons that come with working in the nonprofit world.

Fundraising is About Love, and That Changes Everything

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Do you feel guilty or embarrassed when it comes time to actually ask a donor to give money? This short and sweet blog post gets straight to the point that fundraising is about love. Part of loving your donors is actually asking for support. When we embrace the beauty and goodness of fundraising, it helps us become better at donor care, fundraising, and accomplishing the greater mission of your organization. Keep reading to learn more!

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

This might sound painfully obvious, but did you know that nonprofits that ask for support more frequently raise more money? And, according to fundraising expert, Steven Screen, there are almost no potential negative consequences! Quite simply, the easiest way to raise more money is to ask more frequently. This blog includes some reassurance if you’re worried about donor fatigue or other potential negatives and some tips and tricks about how to increase your appeal frequency.

Maximize That Third-Party Fundraiser: They Host The Event, You Get the Money

Sandy Rees (Get Fully Funded)

Does your nonprofit benefit from third-party fundraisers? That’s when someone outside your organization hosts a fundraiser on your behalf, donating all the proceeds to your cause. This blog has some great wisdom and advice about this type of fundraising. It also offers some insight into potential pitfalls and disadvantages.

Can You Feel It? How You Can Use the Power of Metaphor

Mary Cahalane (Hands On Fundraising)

Metaphors are a powerful writing device that can help you connect more powerfully with your readers. Most of us use metaphors in everyday communication and to help us explain the world around us. They can also be incredibly helpful in writing for fundraising! Head over to this blog to learn a bit more about why metaphors are so effective and how you can use them as you communicate with current and potential donors!

3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Julia Claire Campbell (Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit)

Did you know that 25% of donors say social media is the form of communication that most inspires them to give? That means, despite all the drama, social media is an important communication platform for nonprofits to use! But how do you write posts that actually brings in donations? In this blog, Julia shares some insightful statistics and helpful tips about how you can successfully use social media for fundraising and donor connection.

Time to Contact Your Donors

F. Duke Haddad (NonProfitPRO)

The holidays are over and the year-end fundraising push is finally finished. Now it’s time to start engaging your donors again. But where to start? Are you thinking your donor interaction needs to change this year, but you’re not quite sure how? This blog has eight great steps and tips for engaging your donors well this year and making sure you’ve got an excellent process for donor interaction.