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Issue 294 Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! If your week has already been a mix of “we need this done now” and “we should really be thinking long-term,” you’re in good company. This week’s roundup leans right into that tension: how to balance the day-to-day demands with the bigger picture work that moves your mission forward. Scroll down for ideas on opening stronger major gift conversations, handling donor objections with more confidence, and building a nonprofit budget that will support your longterm. Enjoy! You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!
Issue 293 Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! I hope you were able to get some fresh air today, wherever you are! This week’s newsletter highlights comparisons of the top auction software platforms for 2026, practical tips for prospect research, and insights on avoiding common major gift pitfalls—plus a reality check on how AI can help or hurt your donor relationships if you’re not careful. Enjoy! You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today! 
If your nonprofit runs Salesforce, choosing auction software isn't just a fundraising decision. It's a data decision. The auction platform you pick will determine whether your event revenue lands cleanly in your CRM or lands on someone's clipboard waiting to be imported the following week. This guide is written for development directors, operations leads, and Salesforce admins at nonprofits that are either buying auction software for the first time or replacing something that isn't working. We'll cover what "Salesforce integration" actually means in auction software (it varies enormously), what questions to ask vendors, and what to look for in your evaluation. Your nonprofit's mission is the guiding force behind everything your team does. It's your motivation for cultivating donors, managing volunteers, and organizing program activities. However, it can be hard to directly translate your mission into realistic goals and benchmarks to guide your team. For example, you need to set a year-end fundraising goal each year, but there is no exact dollar amount listed in your mission statement. Your annual operating budget can serve as the interpreter between your mission and your nonprofit's activities. By creating a budget, you can efficiently allocate funds and communicate to your team and community how your organization will use its resources to accomplish your mission. In this guide, we'll walk through how to create your nonprofit's operating budget so you can keep doing good work to further your mission. 
When thinking about prospect research, preparing to launch a capital campaign or soliciting new major donors may be the first applications you think of. And while those use cases are extremely valuable, the power of prospect research can be applied across many more large-scale fundraising activities your nonprofit undertakes, from online giving to corporate sponsorships. Prospect research, according to DonorSearch, is a "technique used by nonprofit fundraisers, major gift officers, and development teams to identify high-impact donors within and beyond an organization's current donor pool." In the identification process, tons of valuable information about current and prospective supporters will surface, which you can leverage to generate revenue and build stronger relationships. In this guide, we'll break down how to get started with gathering that data and a few ways that you can implement it right away.
Issue 292 Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! March is here, and this week’s roundup is a bit of a reality check (in the best way). We’re looking at the small things that quietly make or break fundraising: stories that actually move people, surveys that don’t annoy your donors, and making sure your whole organization aligned around major gifts. Plenty here to spark ideas as we head into spring! You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today! Published March 2026. Updated regularly. Picking the wrong auction software is an expensive mistake. You find out at the event — when mobile bidding lags, data doesn't sync, or your team is manually reconciling payments for days afterward. The right platform mostly disappears: bidders move through it easily, revenue flows into your CRM automatically, and your staff spends event night doing donor relations instead of troubleshooting. This guide reviews the leading nonprofit auction software platforms in 2026 and explains what to look for before you sign a contract. We've organized platforms by their primary strengths, and we include a comparison table at the end to help you shortlist quickly. In 2026, the shift toward corporate philanthropy and employee-directed giving has become a major cornerstone of sustainable nonprofit growth. Launching a data-driven workplace giving program is one of the most effective ways to ensure your team isn't leaving money on the table this year. With the right fundraising tools, you can bridge the gap between intent and impact, making it easier for your donors and volunteers to amplify their support through their employers. This guide, written in partnership with Double the Donation, covers everything you need to know to build a program that runs on information rather than guesswork. The pandemic forced nonprofits to rapidly pivot from traditional gala formats to virtual alternatives. Now, as we settle into 2026, organizations face a critical strategic question: Which auction format delivers the best results for our mission? Should you host in-person galas that recreate the magic of face-to-face connection? Virtual auctions that maximize reach and convenience? Or hybrid events that attempt to capture the best of both worlds? This decision impacts everything from which auction platform you choose to the features your software must support.
Happy Monday, Trailblazers! I’ll keep this brief, as I know many of you are enjoying the day off! As always, the Trailblazer community is buzzing with activity— from upcoming NPSP Days in New York and Boston, to tips on creating test data and managing multi-year major gifts. I hope you find something to add a little extra knowledge to your (short) week! Don't forget, you can have the goodness of the PUB Crawl delivered into your inbox each Monday morning by subscribing today! Remember silent auctions with clipboards, paper bid sheets, and pens chained to tables? Those days are over. Mobile bidding has transformed nonprofit auctions from logistical nightmares into streamlined, engaging experiences that raise significantly more money while creating far less stress for staff and volunteers. But "mobile bidding" isn't a single thing. It's a spectrum ranging from barely-functional mobile websites to sophisticated apps with AI-powered recommendations, real-time notifications, and seamless payment integration. Not all silent auction platforms are created equal. While basic platforms might handle item listings and bidding, the difference between adequate software and exceptional software can mean tens of thousands of dollars in additional revenue—and dramatically less stress for your team. After analyzing the top-performing nonprofit auctions and speaking with development directors across hundreds of organizations, we've identified the 10 essential features that separate modern, high-performing silent auction platforms from outdated tools that leave money on the table. If you're still evaluating different platforms, check out our comprehensive guide to choosing the right nonprofit auction software to understand the selection process.
Issue 289 Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers! This week’s roundup leans into clarity and connection. You’ll find guidance on crafting powerful thank-you messages, avoiding information overload in your appeals, and making better use of the donor data you’re already collecting. We hope you find something useful for your fundraising endeavors! PS - if you’re near New York and using Salesforce, consider checking out NPSP Fundraising Day—a community-powered event focused on leveraging Salesforce to strengthen fundraising practice and peer learning. We'd love to have you there! You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!
Happy Monday, Trailblazers! February is officially in full swing, and this community is not slowing down. We’re thrilled to share that our first two 2026 NPSP Days are on the calendar—kicking off with a fundraising-focused gathering in New York on March 19, followed by Boston on April 23. If you’ve been craving in-person connection, practical Salesforce conversations, and real talk about the nonprofit technology landscape, here’s your chance. Keep scrolling for the latest ideas, opportunities, and ways to plug in! Don't forget, you can have the goodness of the PUB Crawl delivered into your inbox each Monday morning by subscribing today! Choosing the right auction software can make or break your nonprofit's fundraising event. With nearly a quarter of donors now giving through online auctions and the auction software market projected to exceed $600 million by 2033, selecting the right platform has never been more critical. But with dozens of options available, how do you choose the nonprofit auction software that's right for your organization? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision that maximizes your fundraising results while minimizing headaches for your team and donors.
Issue 288 Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers! February is here, and with it comes a good moment to zoom out and take stock. This week’s roundup invites a strategic lens: what needs to be reinforced, what risks need attention, and where small shifts can create lasting stability. Scroll down for perspectives on donor trust and retention, guidance on making monthly giving a true priority, and practical considerations for financial risk, DAF giving, and board engagement. We’re also looking ahead at how tools like auction software and generative AI are shaping the future of nonprofit operations. Enjoy! You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!
Happy Monday, Trailblazers! We’re kicking off February with some exciting news: our first NPSP Day of 2026 is heading to New York! This topic-specific NPSP Fundraising Day will focus on fundraising for nonprofits using Salesforce, and we can’t wait to bring the community together for a day of learning, sharing, and connection. Alongside that announcement, this week’s roundup includes upcoming webinars, fresh ideas from the community, and thoughtful reads on everything from test data to nonprofit tech transitions. Scroll on to explore what’s new! Don't forget, you can have the goodness of the PUB Crawl delivered into your inbox each Monday morning by subscribing today! The difference between an average nonprofit auction and an exceptional one isn't luck. It's strategy. After analyzing data from hundreds of successful fundraising auctions and interviewing development directors who consistently exceed goals, we've identified the specific practices that separate top performers from struggling events. These aren't theoretical concepts. They're battle-tested strategies that organizations use to maximize revenue while creating donor experiences that strengthen long-term relationships.
As nonprofit fundraising evolves, so do the expectations supporters bring to events like silent auctions and charity galas. Whether organizations are moving away from spreadsheets and paper bid sheets or simply trying to raise more with less effort, choosing the right auction software can make all the difference. In 2026, the best nonprofit auction platforms share one thing in common. They do not just replace paper systems. They transform how communities participate, give, and stay engaged throughout an event.
Issue 287 Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers! As January winds down, we’re focusing in on building the foundations that keep fundraising strong and sustainable all year. From strengthening donor trust and relationships to using systems and technology more effectively, these pieces center on long-term impact. You’ll also find ideas for supporting your team and leadership, running more energizing meetings, and increasing event impact without burning out. Here’s to moving into the rest of the year with clarity and confidence! You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today! |
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