Soapbox Engage Blog

Schools have faced serious challenges these past few years. State-level school funding has been at a low and private schools face their own struggles to make ends meet. In order for students to thrive in school, they need important resources like textbooks, nutritious lunches, enriching afterschool programs, and more — but what happens when there aren’t sufficient funds to cover the cost of these resources?

In many cases, the price of critical resources falls on educators. In the 2020-2021 school year, teachers spent an average of $750 out of their own pockets to enrich students' learning. Teachers need more support to provide students with the resources they need to succeed, and students need ample opportunities to reach their full potential.

Issue 101

Happy July, fundraisers! We’ve made it to the new quarter, which also means we are officially halfway through 2022! If that sentence makes you uneasy, know you are not alone. It’s no secret that the latter half of the year is largely spent prepping and running year-end fundraising campaigns that are essential to nonprofits’ and charities’ functions year-round. But take a deep breath, make sure you enjoy the summer months, and know this community has your back!

What are some topics you would like to hear about as you start to brainstorm and plot out your year-end fundraising campaigns? Feel free to hit that “Reply” button, and we’ll be sure to include your topics in the upcoming newsletter editions!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Issue 100

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! Today is a particularly special Tuesday because it marks the 100th edition of the Fundraising Weekly Newsletter! I started this newsletter near the beginning of the global pandemic, as I was watching the real-time anxiety of nonprofits trying to stay afloat in such unprecedented times. I looked at the advice that fundraising professionals were eager to offer across the globe, and it just made sense to try to consolidate all the best practices and ideas into a single newsletter for the community.

Nearly two years later, and this community is still growing despite the odds. I never cease to be amazed by the ingenuity, creativity, and, most importantly, the generosity of this community. I’ve seen all the ways fundraisers and nonprofits have had to pivot, adapt for virtual spaces, strategize, and meet donors where they are. The knowledge sharing through such a tumultuous time is a special thing to witness. It's been a pleasure to highlight the great work of fantastic fundraising professionals, consultants, and leaders, and I can’t wait for the weeks and years ahead.

Thank you for the opportunity to hop into your inbox every week. If there's anything I can do to make this newsletter more useful and impactful, the Reply button is your friend. Thanks for coming on this journey, let's see what’s next!

PS, give us a follow on LinkedIn and Twitter— this week we are highlighting some of our top Fundraising Weekly contributors. Go give them some love!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Issue 99

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! Before you know it, you’ll be swept up in year-end fundraising prep! Take a moment to sit back and strategize. This week’s newsletter focuses on the big picture. Prioritizing storytelling over metrics. Focusing on your donor’s emotional connection to a campaign. Understanding major gifts systems. Maintaining your donor pipeline. Here’s what you should understand before you dig in to the details of that next big fundraising push!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding are both effective fundraising strategies. However, because of their similarities, they are often confused with one another or thought to be the same fundraising strategy. As a result, these two powerful fundraisers are regularly misapplied.

Generally speaking, when discussing these strategies, crowdfunding refers to a process where an individual or organization collects donations directly from a large number of supporters for one specific project, while peer-to-peer fundraising refers to a process where supporters collect donations from their networks of family, friends, and colleagues on behalf of a nonprofit. But their differences also run much deeper, and this article will dive into five core ways these fundraisers are unique from one another:

Issue 98

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

This newsletter is all about being PREPARED. Tax season may be over but do you need to brush up on types of Form 990s? Did you know that postage rates will increase in July but there are steps you can take now to save on direct mail fundraising? Think it’s too early too early to start thinking about Giving Tuesday? Think again!

Read on for some great tips and strategies that will keep you in your best fundraising shape year round!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Issue 97

Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers! It’s no secret that I love a good newsletter! :) One of the articles we highlight this week explores 10 ways to encourage engagement with your nonprofit newsletter. You can share an impact story, interview a donor, curate some resources for the community you serve, or leverage the content you’re already sharing on your social media platforms! You know…I just might be taking some notes!

Scroll on down for more excellent fundraising and nonprofit content. Let me know what stands out!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

There's no better way to retain current donors, enjoy sustainable revenue, and increase the lifetime value of your donors than through a monthly giving program.

As a development professional, you invest hard work, time, and careful strategy into every fundraising strategy. It's critical to accurately measure the effectiveness and progress of each strategy. The right tools will help you track progress, gauge your success, and build on the most effective strategies–including your monthly giving program.

Issue 96

Believe it or not, June starts tomorrow! This season has been flying by, but I’m going to credit that to a fantastic couple of busy months. I hope your spring has been as refreshing and motivating as mine has been. Fundraisers stay busy all year round, but I know this time can be restorative before the huge year-end fundraising prep begins over the summer. Wishing you all the best!

In this week’s Fundraising weekly, learn how inflation can impact giving, build a successful fiscal year-end fundraising campaign, or take charge of major donor asks!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Nonprofits and development professionals are ambitious and driven–just look at the mission and vision statements you're tirelessly working to achieve! There are some scenarios where being ambitious, eager, and optimistic are beneficial and other times when it's more appropriate to channel those aspirations into realistic fundraising goals.

Setting fundraising goals that are too ambitious can actually work against you. Any goal that feels unachievable can make your fundraisers feel inadequate or set for failure. On the other hand, goals that feel too easy aren't inspirational or motivating and won't bring a sense of satisfaction when achieved.

Issue 95

Did you know that when it comes to investing in fundraising strategies, it can be helpful to organize said strategies into three major categories? Direct marketing programs, relationship fundraising programs, and events/campaigns all require different tools/levels of investment. Once you’ve organized your strategies, there are some straightforward steps you can take to budget for your fundraising expenses. Is your interest peaked?

Scroll on down to more about investing/budgeting when it comes to fundraising— and so much more!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Donors are critical to a nonprofit's success as they financially fuel the mission. But individual donors aren't the only people who can make your fundraising events a success. Corporate sponsors are for-profit businesses that provide money, goods, or services to a nonprofit event or program. They can be a great asset to your nonprofit!

Sponsors can take your fundraising event or campaign to the next level by providing financial and promotional support.

Whether you're planning a summer fundraising campaign or a year-end fundraising event, corporate sponsors can bolster your fundraising efforts. Let's take a quick dive into understanding why and how to attract sponsors for your next fundraising event or campaign.

Corporate matching gift programs are becoming an increasingly popular offering among philanthropic-minded businesses looking to better engage with their employees, improve their reputation among consumers, and support a range of nonprofit causes. As a result, thousands of organizations are trending toward strategic matching gift fundraising efforts to raise more for their missions through these generous and widely available giving opportunities.

In many cases, companies agree to financially match generous contributions their employees make to eligible nonprofits, typically at a dollar-for-dollar ratio. (In other words, corporations double team member donations.)

Issue 94

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! I’m happy to see this community continue to grow, so I wanted to say, “Welcome!!” to our newcomers and, “Thanks for sticking around!!” to our loyal subscribers. We are thrilled to continue spreading knowledge around fundraising, philanthropy, and nonprofit success with you all.

In the spirit of sharing knowledge, I’d like to highlight this awesome free guide to online fundraising. This is one of our greatest guides to date. Check it out to learn all about the three key elements of effective fundraising— storytelling, relationships, and optimization. Enjoy!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Work smarter, not harder"? An online directory software helps you do just that. It allows you to easily build and manage any online directory or listing website.

Online directories are critical tools for many nonprofits and small businesses, helping enhance your online presence, boost your fundraising, and improve your visibility. They're also invaluable tools for networking, fundraising, and scaling your organic growth.

Choosing the right online directory software can feel like a monumental task. Not all products are the same, and many options require retrofitting to meet your unique needs. We've gathered some valuable tips and insights to help you choose the right online directory software for your nonprofit.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Work smarter, not harder"? An online directory software helps you do just that. It allows you to easily build and manage any online directory or listing website.

Online directories are critical tools for many nonprofits and small businesses, helping enhance your online presence, boost your fundraising, and improve your visibility. They're also invaluable tools for networking, fundraising, and scaling your organic growth.

Choosing the right online directory software can feel like a monumental task. Not all products are the same, and many options require retrofitting to meet your unique needs. We've gathered some valuable tips and insights to help you choose the right online directory software for your nonprofit.

Every nonprofit professional knows how important it is to spread awareness of their mission to as many potential supporters as possible. This can take many forms, from letters and digital marketing to partnering with other nonprofits and even corporate sponsors. One way you can gain new supporters and further your mission at the same time is by launching an advocacy campaign.

Nonprofit advocacy campaigns are far more than simple marketing tactics. While they require thorough planning and shouldn’t be launched haphazardly, an effective advocacy campaign can help nonprofits get their mission in front of new supporters, earning their cause more attention and making a difference all at once.

Issue 93

As a fundraiser, your life is busy! Sticking to the fundraising basics and proven strategies is never a bad idea, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed. But! It is also important to expand your fundraising horizons. Have you ever considered cryptocurrency? Are you actively deepening your conversations with donors? Do you know what sorts of questions to ask before starting your next fundraising job? Our newsletter tackles these subjects and more!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!

It's a competitive fundraising world out there! Many nonprofits are getting creative to diversify their fundraising streams, especially as various sources for funding seem to be decreasing. Grants and individual giving trends are shifting, leaving room for innovative funding solutions.

Having a variety of funding sources lays the groundwork for healthy, viable long-term success for many nonprofits. This creativity can include opening an online store for your nonprofit!

Let's explore some of the benefits of adding an e-commerce store to your networking and fundraising strategy and how to start your online store using the Soapbox Engage Shop app!

Issue 92

Happy May, Fundraisers! We are now well into spring, my favorite time of the year, and Washington, DC has been absolutely vibrant with new life. I’ve been doing my best to enjoy some time outdoors before DC turns into a swamp for the summer!

This week’s newsletter is packed with great fundraising content. Learn how to break out of organizational silos, test your nonprofit value proposition, or create a system for scoring donor engagement. What are your waiting for? Dig in!

You can receive the Fundraising Weekly newsletter each Tuesday by subscribing today!