Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 50

When putting together the newsletter this week, I was excited to see that we have reached the benchmark of 50 editions of the Fundraising Weekly! Soon after, I realized something even more exciting: we are a mere 2 weeks away from our first ever anniversary. Where has all the time gone? Needless to say, I’ll be doing some joyful reflecting on this community.

So what’s cooking this week? A guide to making nonprofit taxes easy, warning signs that your capital campaign may be losing speed, how to utilize mobile apps in your fundraising. Oh, and don’t forget! Now is the time to start planning your year-end fundraiser.

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Great Fundraising Posts

Nonprofit Fundraising 101: What Every Nonprofit Needs for Successful Fundraising

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

Whether you’ve been fundraising for years or you’re just starting out, it’s valuable to get back to the fundraising basics. Taking it all the way back can help ensure you’re not leaving any money on the table and get the most out of your fundraising efforts. Head over to this blog to revisit some of those basics and build a powerful strategy for your nonprofit!

Nonprofit Taxes Made Easy: A Quick Guide for New Founders

Guest Author (Get Fully Funded)

One of the aspects of starting a nonprofit is the paperwork and taxes. There are loads of myths, lies, and half-truths floating around out there and it feels impossible to distinguish truth from fiction. However, it’s critical to understanding how your taxes play a role in your accounting strategies. This blog offers some quick resources to help you get started.

Don’t Allow “Outside Forces” to Mess with Your Head

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

Many nonprofits are beginning to stress and worry about the rumors of inflation and impending economic troubles on the heels of the global pandemic. However, with over 30 years of experience working in the nonprofit world, Richard and Jeff have some wisdom to share about getting caught up in the “noise” and fears that distract us from the most important thing we can control--how we relate to our donors.

3 Reasons Capital Campaigns Lose Their Momentum

Anne Guillen (Fired-Up Fundraising)

Have you ever suffered the frustration of a capital campaign that loses all momentum? How do you move forward? Do you try to re-ignite the energy and enthusiasm? Or throw in the towel? It’s essential to start by understanding the top three reasons that capital campaigns typically lose momentum so you can address the root cause and get things back on track.

Christmas in July: The Best Time to Prepare for Year-End Fundraising

Amy Eisenstein (Amy Eisenstein)

If your fiscal year ends on June 30, you’re probably breathing a big sigh of relief once you get everything squared away at the beginning of July. However, it’s not quite the time to kick back. July is the ideal time to start prepping for a successful holiday fundraising season. Amy shares some practical insights and steps to help you get ahead of the game before the fall frenzy.

5 Ways Mobile Apps Can Support Your Fundraising Strategy

Mary Cahalane (Hands-On Fundraising)

People joke that “there’s an app for that” in just about any situation. Whether you’re studying for a chemistry test or shopping online, there truly does seem to be an app for just about everything because mobile apps are an effective way to engage people--even for nonprofits! Digital apps can be especially helpful during the era of social distancing and virtual fundraising. This blog offers some helpful stats and benefits to incorporating a mobile app for your nonprofit.

Donors Love Directness

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

So many development professionals are afraid to be blunt when asking for donations. Many say they’re afraid honesty will turn donors off or give the appearance that the organization isn’t managing money well. However, these fears are entirely unfounded. Transparency, clarity, and even blunt communication can actually help organizations raise MORE money and retain donors for much longer. Steven unpacks why this is true in his latest blog.

For Fundraising Excellence, Rely on Expertise, Not Opinions

Simone Joyaux (Moceanic)

There’s a big difference between opinion and expertise, but it’s not always easy to distinguish between the two. Sadly, the nonprofit world is usually driven by opinions rather than expertise. And sometimes, development professionals are stuck between evidence-based expertise and the opinions of others. What’s the solution to all this? Better communication, stronger connections, and staying informed.

Hold these 4 Nonprofit Fundraising Truths to Be Self Evident

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

In a belated 4th of July celebration, Claire created a bit of a “Declaration of Fundraising Independence.” It includes four pre-conditions every organization should meet before you can successfully execute your fundraising strategies. This clever blog is packed with wisdom and fundraising truths that are easy to forget (or overlook) along the way.