Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 284

Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers, and welcome to the first Fundraising Weekly of 2026! We hope you’re feeling rested, recharged, and ready to ease into the year ahead.

This week’s roundup is a reminder that meaningful progress doesn’t require perfection. You’ll find reflections on showing up authentically, listening to real voices, and building smarter, more human fundraising strategies—from prospect research and corporate sponsorships to stewarding donors year-round and amplifying giving days through your community.

Here’s to a thoughtful, steady start to 2026!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Progress, Not Perfection

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Co.)

As we enter a new year, there are new opportunities to set new fundraising goals. However, that doesn’t mean you need to strive for perfection. Check out this blog post for a reminder of how to approach your organizational goals thoughtfully in the new year.

The Value of Customized Recommendations

True Sense (True Sense)

In fundraising marketing, there is no one-size-fits-all approach that’s guaranteed to deliver results. The strategies that one nonprofit swears by may fail to deliver the same results for another. This is where customized recommendations come in. This blog post shares the benefits of using a trusted agency to give customized recommendations that helps your organization thrive in the new year.

Real Voices Make Your Story Real

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Storytelling is the key to successful fundraising. But there’s more to a good story than writing well. One of the best ways to make your story “feel” real: Real quotations from real people. Jeff Brooks explains how that enhances your fundraising in this blog post.

Stop Shooting the Messenger

Andrew Olsen (AO)

Being a leader of a nonprofit organization is an important position. Your efficacy will be impacted by both the goals you set, but also how you treat the members of your organization. In this blog post, Andrew identifies a common problem you may make as a leader and a good alternative.

Unlocking the Power of Employment Data in Prospect Research

re: charity (re: charity)

Many nonprofits miss out on significant gifts and partnerships by overlooking a vital asset: donor employment data. While net worth and giving history are often reviewed, where a donor works can be just as influential in unlocking new opportunities, such as matching gifts and corporate sponsorships. This blog post explores how to leverage employment data as a cornerstone of modern fundraising intelligence.

How You Can Use Social Media Ambassadors to Amplify Your Giving Day

Liz Sobansky (The ENGAGE Blog)

Do you want to supercharge your next giving day? Consider activating a network of social media ambassadors. Social media ambassadors can help your organization break through the digital noise, drive donor acquisition, and foster deep engagement. This blog post focuses on actionable strategies to recruit, empower, and celebrate social media ambassadors to help make your next giving day a huge success.

The Complete Corporate Sponsorships Process: A Walkthrough

re: charity (re: charity)

Fundraising is often described as a marathon, not a sprint. But if individual donations are the steady jog that keeps your nonprofit moving, corporate sponsorships are the adrenaline boost that can propel you toward the finish line. This blog post demystifies the workflow of securing corporate support.

Year-End Giving Begins with Year-Round Donor Stewardship

Tamara Varner (Greater Giving)

Did you hit your fundraising goals in 2025? Well, if you want to do even better in 2026, you have to start that now, and not wait until Q4. In this blog post, Tamara breaks down how donor stewardship throughout the year drives year-end success and how events fit into every phase of the fundraising calendar.