Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 86

In case you missed the memo, this past Sunday was the Spring Equinox. That means that those of us located in the Northern Hemisphere have officially survived the winter. As we begin this new season (my personal favorite!) and prepare for the next quarter, I’ll be taking some time to reflect on successes and set some goals for what’s next. I would love to hear from you to learn how this newsletter can continue to serve as a top fundraising resource. I’m all ears!

Scroll down to access a free 15-page guide to asking for donations, learn how to genuinely thank your donors, or discover your fundraising superpower!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Great Fundraising Posts

Definitive Guide to Asking for Donations

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

When asking for donations, you need strategy and the right words to inspire your community to donate. Whether you're crafting an email ask, social media post, event invitation, or updating your website's donation page, your wording impacts the outcome. Check out this FREE 15 page guide to learn about five easy ways to boost your wording when asking for donations!

Your Donors are Searching for Significance

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

We all have a need for significance–whether we're a donor or development professional. In this blog, Richard shares vulnerably about the need for significance and how getting in touch with our own need can enhance our empathy and understanding for our donor's need for significance–and how that's a valuable thing when fundraising.

5 Design Tips to Get Your Envelope Noticed

Theresa Aide (NonProfit PRO)

There are many strategies and ideas for boosting the response rate of fundraising direct mail campaigns. The envelope you send it in can be a great place to start and help you stand out right from the moment it arrives in recipients' mailboxes. Check out these five ideas to make donors eager to open your mail and review your fundraising message!

Why You Should Invest in Your Organization’s Infrastructure

Gail Perry (Fired-Up Fundraising)

Infrastructure is the fuel that makes everything run. Without a healthy internal infrastructure, nonprofits can't accomplish the mission. But every nonprofit wants to spend every possible cent on the program work rather than building a strong infrastructure. That's a good thing! But Gail makes the case that spending part of every dollar on your infrastructure will help you remain a stable, growing, and influential organization for years to come.

How to Actually Thank Your Donor

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

The goal of your thank you or receipt package isn't just to acknowledge a donation. Any auto-reply or receipt letter can do that. Your goal should be to make your donor feel thanked, appreciated, and valued. Check out this blog to learn how you can use your donation receipt correspondence to do just that!

Fundraising in an Ever-Changing World

Ann Green (Ann Green)

Humanity has experienced a lot in the last few years–pandemic, economic uncertainty, supply chain issues, racial reckonings, and now war. Your nonprofit has gone through a lot and continues to navigate an ever-changing world. It's important to not give up your mission and also discern how to fundraise in this seemingly tumultuous climate.

Asking Made Easy: The 1-2-3 Approach to Soliciting a Gift

Amy Eisenstein (Amy Eisenstein)

Asking for a donation for your nonprofit is easier than you might think. The real challenge comes in pushing past your fear of asking. In this blog, Amy unpacks some practical tips and steps to help you get over your fear of asking for a donation so you can reach your fundraising goals.

What’s Your Fundraising Superpower?

Sue Citro (NonProfit PRO)

Whether it's the ability to make the most stoic donor laugh or a unique talent of writing appeal letters that get a great ROI, every development professional has a superpower. Check out this fun, uplifting blog to learn about some of the fundraising superpowers you might have and how you can harness those powers for the best outcome!

How to Tell a Fundraising Story When There's No Story to Tell

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Most fundraisers know that effective fundraising includes telling great stories, but stories don't grow on trees and there are a number of reasons that effective stories are hard to find. Check out this blog for two "McGyver" workarounds for when you need a great story but are coming up short.