Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 39

Greetings from Tampa, Florida, where the weather is warm, the food delicious, and you can glimpse a dolphin or two swimming mere feet away! I’m here working remotely for the week and I gotta say, you Floridians are onto something. It’s been a wonderful change of scenery.

If the pandemic has taught us one thing in the work sphere, it’s that we don’t always have to be in the office to be our most productive (though I do miss all the coworker interactions)! It just so happens that the folks over at Veritus Group wrote an article on this very subject that we have featured in today’s newsletter. How fitting! We’ve got lots of other great content for you this week as well. So dig in to learn more about topics like building a fundraising calendar, analyzing the origins of your donations, and how to center and utilize community in your fundraising efforts. Enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Make a Fundraising Calendar in 5 Simple Steps

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

It can feel difficult to manage the entire fundraising process throughout the year. Everything can get even more complicated when you’re working as a fundraising team. A fundraising calendar can make a great difference and you can develop and implement a fundraising calendar at any point in the year. Head over to this blog to get some tips, tricks, and strategies to help you build a great fundraising calendar.

Where are Your Donations Coming From?

Dena Weigel Bell (Greater Giving)

Most funding models that nonprofits use includes multiple income streams throughout the year to fund all the projects and endeavors. While every organization must choose the fundraising model that works best for them, this article presents an argument for while it’s advantageous to develop several different fundraising streams throughout the year. It also offers insights into some of the most common funding streams.

You Don’t Have to Be in the Office

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

So many businesses are weighing the pros and cons of allowing at least some of their staff to continue working remotely if they wish. Many nonprofits are now joining the conversation. It can actually be an unsettling concept as it requires a shift in mindset about office dynamics, workflow, and other factors. However, there are some benefits to allowing fundraisers and other people to work from home that have nothing to do with preventing the spread of illness!

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Ann Green (Ann Green)

Do you send all your supporters the exact same communications (appeal letters, thank you notes, updates, etc.)? Really, the supporter who gave one small gift is probably significantly less interested in receiving your multi-page annual report than donors who give regularly. The bottom line is that one size does not fit all when it comes to donor communications. Ann shares some wisdom about customizing your communication with your donors, especially when it comes to annual reports.

Do Your Donors Give Just Once a Year?

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Despite being an outdated model, many nonprofits still call their general donor fundraising program the “Annual Giving Program.” Jeff asserts that using this language assumes that asking people to give more than once a year is just not possible--and might even imply that one gift a year is all you’re hoping for! This is another very short-and-sweet blog from Jeff about how our mindset and language can deeply impact fundraising efforts.

How to Ask Donors for a Gift: 4 Powerfully Authentic Scripts

Amy Eisenstein (Amy Eisenstein)

Fundraising is just part of working for a nonprofit. Yet, many people find this one of the most terrifying parts of the job. Amy asserts that finding the right language for the right situation makes those conversations flow much more naturally. One way to do that is to ask questions before you ask for money. She offers some helpful advice about the kinds of information development professionals should gather before asking for a financial gift.

What Community-Centered Fundraising Means to Me

Mary Cahalane (Hands-On Fundraising)

Fundraising can be a valuable way to build community around a common vision and mission. Consistent individual fundraising and strong communication can build strong relationships and community. Once you start focusing on relationships more than dollars, fundraising will become much more natural! Learn more about growing a diverse, healthy, strong community around your nonprofit in this blog post.

3 Problems with the Major Gift as Carrot Analogy

Marc A. Pitman (The Fundraising Coach)

Have you ever been prepared to ask for a major gift, only to be convinced to wait and see if you can ask for even more in the future? By waiting to ask for major gifts, your nonprofit might not receive much needed funds and your donor misses out on the opportunity to participate in your mission. Really, this mindset is rooted in a scarcity and fear-based mentality. Head over to this blog to learn more about why this mindset can be a detriment to your overall fundraising.