Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 33

Wandering into Joshua Tree National Park, deep in the deserts of California, you feel like you've walked right into a Dr Seuss book. I decided to explore with an experimental bag of "Trader Joe's Grainless Cassava & Coconut Tortilla Chips" (which yes, are actually amazing, and no, I don't know how they make them), and saw all sorts of new sights.

It's easy to get turned around, confused, and within inches of pain for something that you swear looked like a harmless, cotton-like bush (that's a cactus, Ryan). That seems to hit a bit close to home for the accidental techies in our fundraising world. One moment, "wow, look at that amazing new fundraising tool features", next moment, "so, you're saying I accidentally deleted what again?".

For those of you wandering the magical online fundraising world alongside me, here's another great week of tips and ideas to help you navigate without bouncing into a prickly plant.

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Great Fundraising Posts

How to Create Virtual Training Materials for Nonprofits

Brady Kalb (Soapbox Engage)

As a development professional, you’re probably always looking for ways to maximize your fundraising capacity. One way to do this os to offer continuing education and training to your staff, board members, and volunteers. An effective virtual training program should inform and empower everyone at your organization to grow, learn, and drive your work forward. Head over to this blog to learn about some things to consider when creating virtual training materials and so much more!

The Nonprofit Email Newsletter How To

Pamela Grow (Pamela Grow)

Contrary to what you may have heard, both print and e-newsletters are still a great idea for nonprofits to communicate with their donors. It’s a powerful stewardship device where you can communicate how your donors are making a difference in the world. Head over to this blog to get details about all the ins and outs of great nonprofit e-newsletters!

The Nitty Gritty of Asking for Big Gifts

Andrea Kihlstedt (Capital Campaign Masters)

Does the thought of asking for big donations make you shake a little in your fundraising boots? Or, have you fallen into the pattern of focusing on campaign materials, assuming that sending the right brochure to your biggest prospect will bring in major gifts? Head over to this blog where Andrea shares about a thoughtful, individual approach to asking for major gifts that emphasizes the donor, not the campaign materials.

Some Lessons for Nonprofits After Doing My Taxes

Ann Green (Ann Green’s Nonprofit Blog)

It’s tax season, everyone’s favorite time of the year. All your donors are probably combing through donation receipts and donation letters to collect all the required information for their accountants. Have you ever wondered whether there are small things you can do as a nonprofit to make it easier for your donors during tax season? Ann shares her insights from the perspective of a donor and as someone who is an expert on nonprofits. Taking these steps can really take your donor care to the next level!

“You” Is The Magic Word for Newsletters

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Co.)

This is one of those “short but powerful” blogs with a great tip--the word “you” should be the first word of the main headline on your newsletter. This communicates right from the start that you’re writing to them. Skip talking about yourself and your organization. Instead, talk about your donors and how they’re making a difference--that small change will make a difference in the effectiveness of your newsletter. Keep reading for the rest of Steven’s tip about using “you” in your newsletters!

The Top Soft Skills for Recruiting Nonprofit Talent

Wayne Elsey (Joe Garecht Fundraising)

The kinds of skills nonprofits look for when hiring have changed in recent years. In the digital and knowledge age, nonprofit leaders work hard to build a team of people with the “soft skills” needed to thrive. Head over to this blog to get some insights into the top 3 soft skills nonprofit leaders are looking for, especially as they’re heading into the “post-pandemic” economy.

No Outcomes--No Giving

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

Have you ever had a lapsed donor say, “I didn’t hear or know how my money was making a difference, so I stopped giving”? Fundraising gurus, Richard and Jeff have definitely heard that over the years. It’s a simple--and tragic--common problem in nonprofit fundraising. But it’s very easy to solve! Head over to this blog for some practical steps you can take to repair this common situation and make sure your donors know exactly how they’re transforming the world.

When Things Go Off the Rails--And They Surely Will, At Some Point!

Nadine Cheney (Good Works)

We’ve all been there--things are going well and everything is “smooth-sailing”... then it feels like the wheels just come off and everything goes crazy! Whether it’s issues with printing or mailing your newsletter or something goes awry with your CRM system, it’s important to learn to be nimble and flexible. After all, things really will go wrong at some point; the key is how you’ll choose to handle those situations. In this blog, Nadine shares some tips about how to approach these “wheels-came-off” moments.

What to Look for When Seeking Impactful Board Members

F. Duke Haddad (NonProfit PRO)

Many nonprofits fill their boards with individuals who are passionate and motivated to serve the organization, but night lack the skills needed for long-term success. If you can recruit board members for their experience, talents, and skills that you need, everyone will have an enjoyable experience and your nonprofit will benefit greatly. This blog has some great insights into how several specific nonprofits recruit high-quality board members.