Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 47

This morning, I came across a Socrates quote that seems to apply perfectly to the work of fundraisers (and nonprofits in general!). I wanted to share it with you all: “The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” With that wisdom, I bid you Happy Tuesday!

This weeks newsletter is packed with great stats, advice, and ideas. We’ve got content related to video marketing, major gifts, newsletter design, and more. Enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

7 Fundraising Metrics Every Nonprofit Should Track

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

Tracking the right fundraising data will improve your donor care, build relationships, and boost your retention rate. Here's how data can help you better understand your donors.

The Best and Worst Word in Fundraising

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

There's a single word that can be one of the worst or one of the best words to use in fundraising. If that doesn't peak your interest, I don't know what will!

What Return Should I Expect in Major Gifts?

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

For anyone starting (or revitalizing) a major gifts program, one of the biggest obstacles will be determining a budget. Learn how to set the appropriate expectations for ROI.

The State of Video Marketing in 2021: What it Means for Nonprofits

Julia Claire Campbell (Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit)

This blog dives into the state of video marketing in 2021 and what it means for nonprofits. Keep these actionable insights in mind as you continue to evaluate and adjust your 2021 marketing calendar.

Top Ways Marketing Automation Helps Nonprofits Raise More for Less

Greg Warner (Market Smart)

Automations are ever on the rise— for fundraising and marketing too! AI and automation models bring excellent outcomes to these sectors. With the help of annotation tools that create training data, you can develop these models and enjoy results.

How to Raise More Money – for Small Non-Profits

Joe Garecht (Joe Garecht Fundraising)

If you're working for a small non-profit (one that is raising less than $1 million per year), you've probably noticed that much of the fundraising information available online does not apply to your organization. Good news! This blog post is for you.

What’s the Most Common Monthly Giving Program Mistake?

Erica Waasdorp (Nonprofit PRO)

Asking is almost never easy. But the biggest mistake you can make when it comes to monthly giving is failing to make the ask. Need a little encouragement? Read on.

Newsletter Design: Readable and Scannable Above All Else

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

To the smaller nonprofits without professional designers or large budgets to outsource design work, fear not! Your newsletter does not need to have fancy or complicated design to be successful. The key is readability.

3 Ways to Achieve Work-Life Balance at a Nonprofit

Amy Eisenstein (Amy Eisenstein)

Though rewarding, working for a nonprofit can be all consuming. Take a moment to check in on your work/life balance, and your fundraising and other components of your job will improve!