Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 301

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

We’re kicking off May with something new from our team: Live Displays, a real-time way to showcase fundraising progress during your events. If you’re looking to bring more energy and visibility to your campaigns, this is built to help engage supporters in the moment and keep momentum going! Feel free to schedule a time to chat if you'd like to learn more!

This week’s roundup also explores how to stand out and stay effective in a crowded landscape—from making your messages more memorable to understanding shifts in donor behavior and building stronger grantmaker relationships. You’ll also find a helpful recap from NPSP Day Boston and ideas for creating community-driven events that expand your reach.

Enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Introducing Live Displays: Real-Time Fundraising Progress for Your Events

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Make your fundraising visible and dynamic with live giving displays and leaderboards, showing real-time progress, donor activity, and goals as gifts come in. This kind of live feedback creates urgency and encourages more giving by letting supporters see momentum build in the moment. It’s a simple way to turn your event into a shared, high-energy experience that drives results!

DAFs and Events: What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know About Sponsorships, Galas, and the Rules Around Goods & Services

Campbell Lake (Orr Group Blog)

Donor-advised funds are like the secret sauce for nonprofit events—get the recipe right, and you can unlock a treasure trove of charitable capital! But beware, mixing in the wrong ingredients could lead to a compliance catastrophe...

Why Donors Are Making Smaller Gifts

Mark Becker (NonProfitPRO)

More donors are giving, but at smaller amounts, driven by shifts toward mobile, social, and more frictionless ways to give. Instead of one large gift, supporters are spreading contributions across causes and channels, changing how fundraising totals add up. For nonprofits, the takeaway is clear: optimize for volume, experience, and ongoing engagement, not just big asks.

When Authenticity Gets Lost In The Mail

Kevin Schulman (The Agitator)

“Official-looking” surveys and manufactured urgency might lift response rates slightly, but they erode trust and come across as manipulative to donors. The better path is simple: ask meaningful questions, use the data, and follow up in ways that show donors their voice actually matters. In the end, authentic storytelling and real connection will always outperform gimmicks.

3 Reasons Your Nonprofit Isn’t Raising More Money

Marc A. Pitman (The Fundraising Coach)

If your fundraising feels stuck, the issue may be closer to home than you think. Many nonprofits hold back from asking clearly and consistently, often due to internal hesitation or fear rather than actual donor resistance. The takeaway: growth comes from confident, direct asks and trusting that donors are ready to give when invited.

NPSP Day Boston 2026 Recap & Resources

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

After a long-awaited return to Boston, the NPSP community came together for a full day of hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. Sessions covered everything from fundraising operations to data, automation, and the tools that power it all, with a strong focus on practical takeaways teams can apply right away. If you couldn’t attend (or want to revisit the highlights), this recap pulls together key insights from the day!

Community Fundraising Events: How Unique Ideas Can Grow Your Donor Base

Jayme Dingler (NonProfit PRO)

The most effective fundraising events aren’t just about revenue, they’re about participation and connection. Creative, community-driven ideas help bring in new supporters, expand your reach, and turn attendees into long-term donors. When events feel inclusive and engaging, they don’t just raise money, they build the relationships that sustain future giving.

How You Can Make Your Nonprofit Messages Stand Out and Get Noticed

Ann Green (Ann Green's Nonprofit Blog)

In a world of constant noise, the messages that cut through are the ones that are clear, focused, and donor-centered. Stick to one purpose, use the right channels, and lead with something compelling right away to capture attention. The bottom line: simple, intentional communication beats trying to say everything at once.

Beyond the Application: How to Build Lasting Grantmaker Relationships

Megan Martin (DH Leonard Consulting Blog)

Winning a grant isn’t the finish line, it’s the start of a relationship. Strong funder relationships are built through consistent, meaningful touchpoints outside of applications and reports, helping you stay top of mind and build trust over time. The takeaway: treat grantmakers like partners, not transactions, and invest in the connection year-round.