Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 310

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

Summer can be a great time to take a closer look at the fundraising fundamentals that keep campaigns moving. This week’s roundup is all about finding the sweet spot between strategy and simplicity: making it easier for supporters to give, making better use of your data, and making sure your communications are helping rather than getting in the way.

Below, you’ll find practical ideas for improving donation pages and online giving conversions, keeping your nonprofit data clean, and making the most of live fundraising events. We’re also sharing some thought-provoking reminders about donor communication, including why sometimes saying less can lead to more action.

Have a wonderful week!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Donation Popups: How Modals Increase Online Giving Conversion Rates

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Every extra click is another chance for a donor to abandon their gift. In this post, we look at how Donation Modals reduce friction by letting supporters give without leaving the page they're already on, creating a faster, more seamless giving experience. It's a simple change that can have a big impact, especially for organizations looking to turn more donor intent into completed gifts.

Boost Gift-Giving with These 5 Donation Page Improvements

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

Your donation page shouldn't make donors work harder than they have to. This article shares five simple improvements that reduce friction, build confidence, and make it easier for supporters to complete their gift. Sometimes the biggest fundraising gains don't come from reaching more people. They come from creating a smoother path for the people who are already ready to give.

4 Expert Tips for Keeping Nonprofit Data Clean & Updated

Julia Claire Campbell (Julia Campbell)

Clean data may not be the flashiest part of fundraising, but it's one of the biggest drivers of long-term success. This article shares four practical habits that can help keep your database accurate, organized, and useful, making everything from donor communications to reporting a whole lot easier. It's a good reminder that healthy data isn't built through one big cleanup. It comes from small, consistent habits over time.

Event Check-In Chic: Event Archetype Series

Tamara Varner (Greater Giving)

The fundraising starts long before the first paddle raise or auction bid. This fun read makes the case that event check-in isn't just a logistical task, it's your first chance to make guests feel welcomed, valued, and excited to participate. A smooth, friendly arrival sets the tone for everything that follows, proving that great events are often won in the first few minutes, not just the final fundraising total.

Is Your Nonprofit Meeting Its Fundraising and Communications Goals?

Ann Green (Ann Green's Nonprofit Blog)

Halfway through the year is the perfect time to pause and ask a simple question: what's actually working? This article encourages nonprofits to take an honest look at their fundraising and communications efforts, celebrate what's gaining traction, and adjust what isn't before year-end arrives. It's a good reminder that the strongest plans aren't set in stone. They're flexible enough to evolve as the year unfolds.

No Is Not A Complete Sentence

Janet Levine (Too Busy to Fundraise)

The advice to treat "no" as a complete sentence gets repeated a lot, but this piece makes the case that fundraising is a little more nuanced. A donor's "no" isn't always the end of the conversation. Sometimes it's an invitation to listen more closely, understand what's behind the hesitation, and strengthen the relationship for the future. It's a thoughtful reminder that curiosity is often more valuable than a quick conclusion.

How to Raise More Money at a Live Fundraising Event

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Event night is when months of planning finally turn into momentum. In this guide, we share the small but powerful details that can help nonprofits maximize giving in the room, from making bidding easier to creating more energy around live appeals and reducing checkout friction. The biggest takeaway? A great event isn’t just about what happens on the schedule. It’s about creating an experience where supporters feel inspired and ready to participate.

You Can Educate Donors Right Out of Giving

Kevin Schulman (The Agitator)

More information isn't always more helpful. This piece challenges the idea that donors need every detail before they're ready to give, pointing out that too much complexity can actually make people feel less confident about taking action. The sweet spot? Helping supporters quickly understand the problem, their role in solving it, and the impact they can make. Sometimes clarity beats a deep dive.

[PODCAST] Not Your Grandma’s Bingo: How Charity Gaming Can Fuel Nonprofit Fundraising

Meghan Speer (Nonprofit Hub)

Bingo may bring back some nostalgic images, but today’s charity gaming programs look a little different. This podcast explores how nonprofits can turn bingo and similar events into repeatable fundraising opportunities by focusing on community, entertainment, and creating an experience people want to come back to. A fun reminder that sometimes a fresh take on a familiar idea can open up a whole new way to engage supporters.