Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 245

Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers!

Has anyone else had a whirlwind start to 2025? I’d love to hear where the year has taken you so far—and where you’re headed next! In the spirit of looking ahead, I wanted to share a bit about NPSP Days. These day-long, community-driven events are designed specifically for nonprofits using (or considering) Salesforce. Whether you're managing donors, running fundraising campaigns, or just starting to explore Salesforce solutions, NPSP Days are a great way to build your skills and connect with others in the space.

We’ve got Chicago and Seattle coming up soon, with more cities on the horizon—including Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Be sure to check the NPSP Day website for updates as we roll out the full schedule. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Now, keep scrolling for some fresh fundraising tips and insights!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Soapbox Engage Quarterly Event Recap - Q1 2025

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, Soapbox Engage is reflecting on the incredible events we attended, the inspiring conversations we had, and the valuable insights we gained. From deep dives into AI to hands-on collaboration with mission-driven organizations, it’s been a season of learning and growing together. Check out this blog post to learn what we’ve been up to and what else there is to look forward to!

3 Ways to Create Real Financial Sustainability

Wayne Elsey (NonProfitPro)

47% of nonprofits consider donor acquisition a significant challenge. 56% of organizations don't have a donor engagement strategy. Does your organization fall into either of these percentages? If so, check out this blog post that offers three paths forward to help you build financial sustainability.

The Perfect Donor Acknowledgment Letter to Boost Donor Retention

Vish Vass (GiveCentral)

A heartfelt, well-crafted donor acknowledgment letter can be the difference between a one-time gift and a lifelong supporter. It’s not just about saying “thank you,” it’s about making your donors feel seen, appreciated, and connected to the impact they’re making. This blog post walks you through drafting an effective donor acknowledgment letter that goes beyond formality and creates genuine relationships with your supporters.

5 Key Software Compliance Questions to Strengthen Your Approach

Dan Keyworth (The ENGAGE Blog)

Every organization is subject to a variety of laws and standards intended to protect the individuals you engage with. Software compliance—making sure the systems you use to run your organization follow industry and security best practices—is a critical guide to ensuring that you are abiding by these laws and standards in a digitally driven world. This can be more complex than it sounds. This blog post features five questions to make sure you are keeping up with and ensuring adherence to these standards.

The Most Basic Benchmark for the First Donor Meeting

Jim Langley (Market Smart)

The first meeting with a donor is a symbol and a preview of the relationship to follow. You don’t need to get too fussy about what is accomplished or how. In this blog post, Jim shares the most basic benchmark for an effective meeting.

From Higher Ground to Common Ground

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Co.)

You and your colleagues probably have a “higher ground” understanding of nonprofit organization’s work and cause. That’s not a bad thing—you’re experts! But when creating fundraising appeals, you want your donors to be able to meet you on common ground. Steven explains how to move from higher ground to common ground in this blog post.

A Mini-Masterclass in Direct Mail

Mark Phillips (Queer Ideas)

Some people treat direct mail like it’s an outdated approach to fundraising. But the truth is, it’s an art form. And when done well, it is sure to increase your income. This blog post features an example of excellent direct mail that you can use as inspiration.

How to Drive Traffic to Your Nonprofit Online Donation Page

Julia Claire Campbell (Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit)

The more traffic you can drive to your online giving page, the more effectively it supports your fundraising efforts. Your goal should be to promote your donation page using every resource in your nonprofit’s marketing toolbox to reach the widest possible audience. In this blog post, Julia shares top strategies that not only raise awareness about your online giving form, but also connect you with better leads.

Does Your Nonprofit Need to Do a Little Spring Cleaning?

Ann Green (Ann Green’s Nonprofit Blog)

Do you use the springtime as a time to do some cleaning at home? You should think about doing that within your nonprofit organization as well. In this blog post, Ann offers some suggestions for your organization's spring cleaning and decluttering, and shares how they can make some much-needed improvements to your infrastructure and donor communication.