Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 309

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

As we close out June, this week’s roundup leans into a simple but important question: are we making it as easy and compelling as possible for people to give? A lot of these pieces circle around that idea from different angles, whether it’s tightening up your donation appeals, rethinking the flow of text-to-donate at events, or smoothing out the early steps of donor acquisition so momentum isn’t lost.

Hope you enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

7 Top Tips to Boost Donation Appeals [Matching Gifts & More!]

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

A compelling appeal isn't about finding the perfect words. It's about helping donors clearly see the impact they can make. In this guide, we share five practical ways to strengthen your fundraising appeals, from leading with stories to making your ask more specific and donor-focused. Small changes in how you frame your message can make it easier for supporters to connect with your mission and feel confident saying "yes."

Text-to-Donate for Nonprofits: Before, During & After Events

Tamara Varner (Greater Giving)

When inspiration strikes, the last thing you want is a complicated donation process. This guide breaks down how text-to-donate works, when it makes the biggest impact, and how nonprofits can use it to capture generosity in the moment, especially during events and live campaigns. It's a helpful reminder that making it easier to give often means giving supporters fewer reasons to wait.

Know or Listen to Those Who Know

Roger Craver (The Agitator)

There's real value in fresh ideas, but there's just as much value in learning from people who've spent decades testing what actually works. This piece is a tribute to veteran fundraiser Frank O'Brien and a broader reminder that experience is hard to replace. Before chasing the latest trend, it's worth asking whether someone has already learned the lesson through years of practice and generous sharing.

Donor Acquisition: How to Get Started so You’ll Finish Well

Sean Triner (Moceanic)

Finding new donors can feel daunting, especially when resources are tight. This article breaks the process down into manageable steps, focusing on building a strong foundation before investing heavily in acquisition campaigns. It's an encouraging reminder that successful donor acquisition isn't about chasing quick wins. It's about creating a thoughtful strategy that brings in supporters who are likely to stay with your organization for the long haul.

Gen Z Is Ready to Give, But Is Your Online Giving Experience Ready for Them?

Jenn Reichenbacher (NonProfit PRO)

Gen Z isn't waiting to become "future donors." They're already giving, but they expect the online experience to be as seamless as everything else they do on their phones. This article offers a timely reminder that long forms, slow pages, and clunky checkout experiences don't just create minor inconveniences. They can be the difference between a completed donation and a lost opportunity.

Largent Media Reveals America’s Most Overlooked Major Gifts Fundraising Tool

Jimmy LaRose (Major Gifts Ramp-Up)

Major gifts strategy often gets overcomplicated with tools and models, but this piece points to something much simpler that’s usually hiding in plain sight. The real opportunity may already be in your donor file if you know what to look for. It’s a good reminder that major gift work is often less about finding new people and more about paying closer attention to the ones you already have.

Get To Know Your Segments!

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

Segmentation isn’t just a database exercise, it’s what makes fundraising feel personal instead of generic. This piece makes a strong case for actually understanding your segments, not just naming them, so communication can reflect what different groups care about and how they prefer to engage. The takeaway is simple: the better you know your segments, the less you rely on guesswork and the more your fundraising starts to feel like a real conversation.

How To Encourage Donors To Make Bequests to Your Nonprofit

Ann Green (Ann Green's Nonprofit Blog)

Legacy giving works best when it feels like a natural extension of an already meaningful relationship, not a big, formal ask. This piece highlights simple ways nonprofits can introduce bequests through clearer communication, ongoing stewardship, and gentle education about the option to leave a lasting gift. The real throughline is patience and consistency: when donors understand the impact of their support over time, many will choose to include your organization in their plans without needing pressure or urgency.

The New Rules Of Nonprofit Marketing [Ultimate Guide]

Meghan Speer (Nonprofit Hub)

Nonprofit marketing has changed, and the old playbook of pushing out updates and hoping for engagement just doesn't cut it anymore. This guide lays out a more modern approach built around trust, clarity, and real human connection, where donors can sense authenticity quickly and respond to messages that feel relevant to them. It's a helpful reset for organizations trying to move away from noise and toward communication that actually builds relationships and inspires action.