Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 65

Good afternoon and happy Tuesday! In exactly 5 weeks, Giving Tuesday will be here— so the countdown begins! (I’m sure the countdown actually began a while ago for many of you). What tips or resources have you found to be the most helpful in your year-end fundraising strategy this year? I’ll be sure to share them, as there is still time to spread the knowledge. Feel free to respond directly to this email!

Speaking of year-end fundraising, are you wondering how to leverage matching gifts this year? Trying to come up with creative and meaningful ways to thank your donors? Curious about how to leverage stories to increase your appeal? All of that is covered in this week’s newsletter! Dig in!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Matching Gifts and Year-End Fundraising: What to Know

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

Year-end fundraising season is critical for many nonprofits to bring in a large portion of their annual budget. Many fundraising experts agree that one of the most effective strategies for year-end fundraising is the matching gift. This blog offers some practical tips and insights to help you use "challenge grants" to fuel your year-end fundraising campaigns.

Fundraising in Uncertain Times

Marc A. Pitman (The Fundraising Coach)

Fundraising and leading in uncertain times can be scary, unnerving, and even exhausting. Marc outlines three things each fundraising expert can do, even in uncertain times, to fundraise effectively: commit to the basics, recommit to learning, and commit to what isn't changing. The great news is that committing to these areas empowers you to navigate these difficult times with a renewed sense of purpose, poise, and inner calm.

Top 5 Appeal Tips

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

Steven reviews loads of appeal letters. So, from hundreds of reviews, he created this top five list of the advice he gives most often when reviewing appeal letters. Though they seem really practical--maybe even nitpicky--but these five steps can make a big difference in the quality of your next appeal letter.

Ideas You Can Use to Thank Donors During the Holidays

Sandy Rees (Get Fully Funded)

The season of giving is almost here--but so is the season of giving thanks. There's nothing more important you can do than thank donors for their generosity and support. After all, fundraising is about relationships and if all you do is ask, that's not much of a relationship. Check out this blog for some fresh, practical ideas for how to thank your donors this holiday season.

Year-End Fundraising: Increase Awareness of Your Campaign With Stories

Vanessa Chase Lockshin (The Storytelling Non-Profit)

How will you generate awareness around your year-end fundraising campaigns? Using stories is a powerful strategy and this article breaks down the role stories can play in marketing a year-end fundraising campaign, what kinds of stories to tell, and how to share those stories with your ideal audience.

How to Build Deep and Long-Lasting Connections with Your Donors

Jeff Brooks (Moceanic)

Many development professionals try to ignore the reality that giving is emotional but Franscesco's new book really unpacks how the passion and devotion for good causes are a critical piece of the fundraising puzzle. Head over to this blog to read Jeff's book review and get some of the highlights about how to leverage emotions in your fundraising strategies.

Understanding Nonprofit HR: What Sets it Apart?

Guest Author (Get Fully Funded)

Many smaller nonprofits start with minimal staff. Maybe you started with the marketing, fundraising, and HR departments all rolled into one. But as you grow, you probably realized your nonprofit is ready for a comprehensive HR framework. After all, HR departments aren't just meant for for-profit businesses! This article includes some essential details to help you develop a strong HR department for your nonprofit.

How to Build a Great Email Strategy for Your Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Mark Becker (NonProfit PRO)

It's critical to have a clear strategy for your peer-to-peer fundraising email communications. After all, there's no point in sending emails without a clear purpose--even when things get busy during year-end fundraising craziness! A good strategy helps you clarify the "why" behind your email. Check out this blog to get three key steps for establishing a strong strategy for your email communications!

A 7-Point Guide To Kick-Starting Your Mid-Level Program!

Namrata Goyes (Good Works)

If you've been fundraising for a while, you've probably heard "mid-level" donor or "mid-level" giving program. But what exactly is a mid-level program? What are the benefits, and how do you start a mid-level program for your nonprofit? Namrata offers a practical seven-step guide to help you get started and understand the basics!