Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 307

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

As we head deeper into June, this week’s roundup circles around a simple idea: fundraising works best when attention, timing, and storytelling all line up. Whether it’s rethinking how you use your annual report as an engagement tool, refining the moment you make an ask, or sharpening your approach to major donor conversations, these pieces focus on making every interaction count a little more. And yes, avocados are involved!

Have a great week!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Best Nonprofit Event Management Software 2026

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Event management software has become one of the more crowded corners of the nonprofit technology market, and with good reason. Events drive a meaningful share of nonprofit revenue, and the tools you use directly shape the attendee experience, the quality of your data, and how much time your staff spends on logistics. This guide reviews the leading nonprofit event management platforms in 2026, covering their strengths, limitations, and which types of organizations they serve best.

How to Turn Annual Reports into Donor Engagement Tools

Campbell Lake (sgENGAGE)

Annual reports often get treated as a compliance exercise, but they can be so much more than that. This article explores how nonprofits can use annual reports to tell compelling stories, celebrate impact, and deepen relationships with supporters instead of simply sharing numbers and accomplishments. It's a helpful reminder that donors aren't just looking for information, they're looking for evidence that their support made a difference and a reason to stay engaged in what's next.

When the Image Becomes the Ask

Kevin Schulman (The Agitator)

A powerful image can do more than support a fundraising appeal. Sometimes it is the appeal. This article explores how the right visual can communicate urgency, emotion, and impact faster than paragraphs of copy ever could, shaping how donors understand a need and whether they choose to respond. It's a thoughtful reminder that in fundraising, what supporters see can be just as important as what they read.

Confessions of an Auction Addict

Tamara Varner (Greater Giving)

There’s something uniquely energizing about a great charity auction. The excitement, friendly competition, and shared sense of purpose can turn fundraising into a memorable community experience. This playful article explores what keeps donors, volunteers, and organizers coming back year after year, and why auctions continue to be one of the most engaging ways to bring people together in support of a cause.

The Myth of ‘Engage 7 Times Before Making the Ask’

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

Fundraisers often hear that supporters need multiple “touches” before they're ready to be asked for a donation. This article challenges that conventional wisdom, arguing that an arbitrary number is far less important than the quality and relevance of your communication. It's a refreshing reminder that donors don't experience your outreach as a formula. They respond when they feel connected to the mission, understand the need, and are given a meaningful opportunity to help.

Act Fast, Raise Big: The Skills You Need to Win Major Donors Today

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

Major gifts rarely happen by accident. They grow out of thoughtful relationships, meaningful conversations, and a clear understanding of what matters most to the donor. This article offers practical guidance for identifying prospects, building trust, making compelling asks, and showing impact in ways that inspire deeper support. At its heart is a simple but powerful reminder: major donor fundraising is less about perfect pitches and more about listening, connecting, and helping people make the difference they want to make.

Avocados and Fundraising

Kevin Schulman (The Agitator)

Stay with them on this one. Using avocados as the starting point, the authors make a surprisingly insightful case about how people perceive value and make decisions. It's a fun reminder that donors are human first, and understanding the psychology behind everyday choices can help us become better fundraisers.

The Shocking New Realities of Direct Mail Fundraising

Jeff Brooks (Moceanic)

Direct mail acquisition isn't dead, but it's definitely getting more complicated. Rising costs, changing donor behavior, and increased competition mean organizations can no longer rely on the same playbook that worked a decade ago. What makes this piece interesting is its focus on adaptation rather than nostalgia. The takeaway is that successful acquisition today requires more patience, better testing, and a clearer understanding of donor lifetime value, not just the cost of getting that first gift.

13 Quick Tips for Your Next Fundraising Appeal

Mary Cahalane (Hands-On Fundraising)

If you're staring at a blank page trying to write your next appeal, this is a great resource to bookmark. Rather than focusing on big fundraising strategy, the article is packed with small, practical tweaks that can make your message clearer, more compelling, and easier for donors to respond to. My favorite takeaway: strong appeals aren't usually the result of clever writing, they're the result of making it easy for donors to understand the difference their gift will make.