Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 308

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

This week’s roundup zooms in on a theme that shows up again and again in strong fundraising: clarity and connection. Whether it’s the difference between a good and a great charity auction, or the small choices that help donors truly understand your message, these pieces are all about making your fundraising easier to engage with and harder to ignore.

Have a wonderful week!

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Great Fundraising Posts

What Separates Good Charity Auctions from Great Ones

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Most charity auctions raise money. The great ones create momentum that people are still talking about on the drive home. In this piece, we look at the decisions that make the biggest difference, from building the right auction catalog and pacing the event effectively to using technology that keeps bidders engaged from start to finish. If you're planning an auction this year, there are plenty of practical ideas here to help turn a good event into a great one!

A Thorough, Complete Argument for Why You Should Include a Reply Card

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

Reply cards can feel a little old-fashioned in an increasingly digital world, but this piece makes a compelling case for why they still matter. Beyond providing a simple way to give, reply cards create a moment for donors to engage, respond, and take ownership of their support. It's a useful reminder that good fundraising is often about removing friction and making it as easy as possible for someone to say "yes."

When “Help Them” Needs a Little “This Matters to You”

Kevin Schulman (The Agitator)

Fundraisers are often taught to focus relentlessly on the beneficiary, but this article argues there's another important part of the story: the donor. While supporters want to help others, they also want to know why their action matters and how it reflects their own values, identity, and desire to make a difference. It's a thoughtful reminder that the strongest fundraising messages connect both sides of the equation, showing not just who needs help, but why helping matters to the person being asked.

Are You The Event Reporting Wizard of Your Nonprofit?

Tamara Varner (Greater Giving)

Great fundraising decisions depend on good data, but turning reports into useful insights can sometimes feel like its own form of magic. This article looks at how thoughtful reporting can help organizations better understand event performance, donor behavior, and fundraising outcomes without getting lost in the numbers. It's a good reminder that the goal of reporting isn't to create more spreadsheets. It's to uncover the information that helps teams make smarter decisions and raise more money.

Top Strategy to Get 100% of Nonprofit Board to Give Passionately

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

Getting every board member to give isn't really about setting a policy or checking a box. It's about helping people connect personally and meaningfully with the mission. This article argues that the most effective boards are made up of people who understand the impact of their support and see themselves as partners in the organization's success. It's a useful reminder that passion tends to be contagious, and when board members genuinely believe in the work, both fundraising and leadership become much stronger.

Are You Making Sure Your Audience Understands You?

Ann Green (Ann Green's Nonprofit Blog)

Nonprofits spend a lot of time thinking about what they want to say, but not always enough time thinking about how it will be received. This article is a good reminder that jargon, acronyms, and insider language can create barriers even when the message itself is important. The strongest communications aren't necessarily the most sophisticated. They're the ones that make supporters immediately understand what matters, why it matters, and how they can help.

Donors Don’t Just Want a Relationship — They Want Belonging

Mark Miller (NonProfit PRO)

Donors want to know their gift made a difference, but they also want to feel like they matter. This article explores how nonprofits can create a deeper sense of belonging by helping supporters see themselves as valued members of a community rather than simply sources of funding. It's a worthwhile reminder that donor retention isn't just about stewardship tactics. It's about creating experiences that make people feel connected, appreciated, and part of something bigger than themselves.

“Our Donors Are Different” Is Hurting Your Acquisition

Jeff Brooks (Moceanic)

Every fundraiser has heard some version of this argument: our donors are different, so the usual fundraising best practices don't apply. This piece offers a more nuanced perspective. Yes, every donor community has its own language, culture, and motivations, but at the end of the day, donors are still people, and people tend to respond to the same core drivers of generosity, connection, and impact. It's a helpful reminder to balance what makes your audience unique with what makes them human.

NPSP Day Chicago 2026: Key Nonprofit Resources

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Chicago brought another great stop on the NPSP Day tour, with nonprofit practitioners, Salesforce experts, and partners coming together to dig into what’s actually working right now in fundraising operations, data, and AI. From practical admin tips to big-picture strategy conversations, the day was full of ideas that teams can take back and put to use immediately. This recap highlights key themes, standout moments, and shared resources from the event!