Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 77

Hello wonderful fundraisers! I hope 2022 has been filled with rest so far as we’ve just come off the busiest part of the fundraising cycle. I always find that rest is what allows me to clarify my goals and dreams at the start of a new year, season, or project!

Scroll down for some awesome fundraising content to peruse at your leisure. We’ve got some great ideas around digital overhauls, major gift pipelines, and donor plans— plus a webinar about landing gifts in today’s tumultuous nonprofit climate!

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Great Fundraising Posts

How to Write the Perfect Nonprofit Thank You Email

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

As the rush of holiday giving slows, organizations will continue sending requests for donations. It's easy to get lost in the flood of calls-to-action and requests. A well-timed, heartfelt thank you email that shares value with your donor really does go a long way. Check out this blog for some practical steps to write the perfect nonprofit thank-you email.

Does Your Nonprofit Need a Digital Overhaul?

Amy Eisenstein (Amy Eisenstein)

Check out this interview with Lou Kotsinis to get some insights and wisdom about digital strategy for nonprofits and why it's so important. Lou also shares some tips to help organizations develop and improve their digital strategies in 2022.

What is a Story and Why You Need to Tell Them

Vanessa Chase Lockshin (The Storytelling Non-Profit)

Telling powerful stories helps your nonprofit get the right message out to the world, connect with current and new audiences, and motivate people to take action. Unfortunately, many nonprofit professionals get discouraged by storytelling because they think it's going to require writing skills they don't have. This blog post offers some of the writing basics that will help you craft powerful stories for your nonprofit.

What We Have Got Here is a Failure to Differentiate

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

Savvy fundraisers understand the importance of differentiating their organization. You'll raise more money and keep more of your donors if you differentiate your fundraising content and information based on factors like who you're communicating with, what you're trying to achieve, and the type of communication you're using. This blog unpacks each of those factors and will help you differentiate your fundraising communication this year.

Landing Transformational Gifts in the Current Environment (WEBINAR)

Jenn Shefcik (Fired-Up Fundraising)

The constantly changing environment is exhausting. Donors are shifting preferences and work strategies are changing. But this environment of change also brings positive opportunities. The stock market is still doing well, helping donors "feel" more financially stable. Transformational gifts are made with assets, not cash. Check out this webinar on January 19, 2022, where fundraising experts will discuss the most effective approaches for closing generous major gifts in 2022.

Can You Smoke What’s in Your Major Gift Pipeline

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

It's critical to ignite your donors' passions and help them engage in the type of philanthropy that will be a win-win for everyone. To do this, you need to nurture a donor pipeline that sparks their interest, fan the flames, and have time to be patient. This is why every nonprofit needs a major gifts pipeline and this article will help you build one in ten practical steps.

Overcoming Roadblocks to Create Strategic Donor Plans

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

How can you move forward with a goal and strategic donor plan when you realize there are critical pieces of information missing that would help you know how to approach the donor? This article offers specific steps you can take when you identify some of those information or communication roadblocks with donors (including scenarios). Richard and Jeff also offer some specific benefits to creating strategic donor plans.

How a Planned Giving Program Can Increase Fundraising Now

Jeff Schreifels (NonProfit PRO)

Many nonprofit leaders are hesitant to start a planned giving program because most planned gifts won't directly benefit the organization for ten years or more. However, that's actually quite a misunderstanding. The data shows that planned gift donors give more in annual gifts right after they make a gift through their estate and financial plans! That means if you want more direct gifts now, planned giving is one of the keys to success.

Why It’s Time to Rename our Sector from Nonprofit to For-Impact

Michael Seiler (Salesforce)

When it comes to marketing, words make a big difference. So, if messaging is critical, why is the nonprofit sector referring to itself by a tax code the IRS assigned more than 100 years ago? Perhaps it's time to put the term "nonprofit" to rest and rebrand as the "for-impact sector." This would help clarify the purpose and unite everyone around the common mission to change the world. Keep reading to learn how this small name change could make a big difference.