Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 88

Happy April, fantastic fundraisers! It’s a rainy, dreary day here in Washington, DC, but you know what they say about April showers… I’m looking forward to more sunshine and enjoying the view of DC’s famous cherry blossom trees while they are still in peak bloom! I hope your April is off to a good start too.

Read on to catch the latest tips from all things fundraising and philanthropy. Notably, we have a crash course for nonprofit CRM selection, capital campaign planning ideas, and some nonprofit spring cleaning pointers!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Successful Peer-to-Peer Fundraising With Soapbox Engage

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a powerhouse fundraising strategy for nonprofits because it combines the influence of social media with access to personal networks and easy online giving strategies. One of the secrets to the long-term success of P2P fundraising is that it empowers supporters to become advocates and partners. Head over to this blog to learn how Soapbox Engage makes peer-to-peer fundraising a breeze!

A Crash Course for Selecting and Implementing a Nonprofit CRM

Luke Dringoli (NonProfit PRO)

Now more than ever, the customer relationship management system you use could make or break your ability to scale your mission and meet your fundraising goals. A good CRM system helps nonprofits better organize data, manage donor relationships, and achieve more efficient and successful fundraising. You need a CRM system that's an ally, not an obstacle. This begins with picking the right one. Check out this blog for some tips on how to choose the right CRM system for your nonprofit.

Question of the Month: When Should You “Disqualify” a Donor and Why?

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

Most fundraisers don't get into the habit of regularly moving donors off the major gift caseload, which results in "bloated" loads that are filled with donors that shouldn't be there. But who should you move off the list and when? In this "Question of the Month" video, Richard and Jeff talk about the two objectives of donor management and why these should be your guide to determine when it's time to move a donor off the major gifts list.

Planning a Capital Campaign? Engage Your Major Donors Early On

Jenn Shefcik (Fired-Up Fundraising)

If you're planning a capital campaign or major new funding initiative this year, you should definitely check out this blog. The steps you take early in the game can help bring those lead gifts in quickly. This post offers guidance to make the most of the planning stage for capital campaigns, when to engage major donors, and other key pieces of the puzzle.

A Powerful Fundraising Sentence

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

Just one sentence can be a powerful addition to your fundraising. A sentence that shows a donor that they can make a big change with a financial gift, and the cost to "cause the change" seems like a good deal. This formula will help you raise a lot of money. Steven offers a specific strategy to write a powerful fundraising sentence. You'll be able to apply it to your next fundraising appeal right away!

Time for a Little Nonprofit Spring Cleaning

Ann Green (Ann Green)

A lot of people use this time of the year to do some spring cleaning. Your nonprofit may have put off some version of your own spring cleaning and decluttering over the last few years. Now's a great time to tackle those cumbersome tasks. Check out this blog for some suggestions on things that every nonprofit should add to their spring cleaning list.

How to Create a Winning Fundraising Strategy MASTERCLASS

Joe Garecht (Joe Garecht Fundraising)

If you've ever felt like all your fundraising efforts just aren't getting you to your goals, you probably need a brand new strategy for raising more money. This Masterclass will help you build a fundraising strategy that gets results, including a step-by-step strategy, how to write an effective case for support, the best ways to systematize your fundraising, and much more!

How to Plan Your Non-Profit’s Stories for the Next 90 Days

Vanessa Chase Lockshin (The Storytelling Non-Profit)

The start of a new quarter is a great opportunity to spend some time on strategic planning. Vanessa sees value in planning in 90-day increments because it's an easier amount of time to manage and predict. This blog will help you plan your nonprofit's stories for the next 90 days, including a handy video tutorial!

How to Predict Fundraising Revenue for Your Fundraising Plan

Sandy Rees (Get Fully Funded)

Your nonprofit revenue and impact are inextricably tied together. Most nonprofits must plan their programs to know the exact fundraising goal. Your nonprofit's future will look less daunting if you project your fundraising revenue while you're planning out your year and mapping out what you plan to do in each program. That helps you plan your marketing and fundraising activities effectively. Check out this blog for three rules for projecting fundraising revenue!