Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 248

Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers!

As we head into May, we’re keeping our eyes on what’s ahead— and how to build smarter, more sustainable fundraising strategies for the rest of 2025. This week’s roundup is full of fresh ideas and insights to help you navigate change and stay connected to your mission.

Speaking of! If you’re local to the New York area, don’t miss NPSP Fundraising Day on June 11 in NYC! It’s a one-of-a-kind "unconference" packed with peer learning and practical takeaways to help you future-proof your nonprofit fundraising with Salesforce and AI-powered tools. Register here!

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Great Fundraising Posts

4 Top Strategies to Promote Nonprofit Employee Wellness

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Working at a nonprofit is demanding for us all. Without proper support, your employees may experience health issues and even burnout. This leads to dissatisfaction, higher absenteeism, and low engagement. It’s important to prioritize employee wellness. In this blog post, we explore four tips you can implement today to center employee wellness at your nonprofit.

What We Should Value More: Fundraisers Who Are Reluctant Askers

Jim Langley (MarketSmart)

You may think a reluctant asker is the exact opposite of what we need a strong fundraiser to be. But reluctance actually points to something deeper. In this blog post, Jim explains the situations where reluctance to ask can lead to more effective fundraising.

Basics of Nonprofit Accounting: 4 Documents to Know

Jon Osterburg (The Fundraising Coach)

Tracking financial data for your nonprofit organization is vital. Not only to be in compliance, but because tracking data helps your organization evaluate its spending and revenue generation to make the most of your resources. If you’re just getting started with nonprofit accounting, it’s important to learn about some of the key documents involved in this process. In this post, Jon walks through four types that you’ll see frequently together.

Do Fundraising “Best Practices” Give Nonprofit Donors the Autonomy they Seek?

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

You will often hear about “best practices” in fundraising. But, how do you know if it really is the “best” without data, or trial and error? In this blog post, Claire discusses the pitfalls of building your fundraising strategy around “best practices” and what you can do instead.

Is Anything Better than a Donor Newsletter? This Powerful Tool Might Be!

Jeff Brooks (Moceanic)

Donor newsletters can be very effective tools for fundraising. But they can also be cost and labor intensive. In this blog post, Jeff introduces an alternative option that can be cheaper, quicker, but just as effective.

Fundraising Effectiveness Project Data Shows Nonprofits Are Failing to Engage Microdonors

Amanda L. Cole (NonProfitPro)

It’s true, major donors are significant contributors to helping your organization meet your funding goals and carry out your mission. But that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who should get your attention. In this blog post, Amanda reviews the data on nonprofit engagement and retention, and shares what that should mean for your fundraising.

How to Properly Run a Fundraising Campaign

Kate Averett Anderson (The ENGAGE Blog)

Launching a successful fundraising campaign for nonprofits involves a strategic approach and precise execution. Effective campaigns require setting clear objectives and understanding your audience deeply. By focusing on refined messaging, streamlined management processes, and enhanced donor engagement, you can elevate your fundraising efforts to new heights. In this blog post, you get steps to help you navigate these complexities.

The State of DAFs in 2025: Updates on Donor-Advised Funds

Karen Houghton (Get Fully Funded)

Donor-advised funds, or DAFs, have been in the news for a while now. These charitable giving accounts, which are established by individual donors but managed by sponsoring organizations, have historically been a source of excitement for nonprofits. However, they have been under increased scrutiny lately, and your organization may wonder what to make of them now. This blog post discusses the latest updates on DAFs and what these changes might mean for your nonprofit.

Could Your Fundraising Be More Accessible?

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Co.)

The ethical reasons for making fundraising appeals, or any public-facing content, more accessible are clear: we should not make unnecessary design and language choices that make it harder for people to see, read, and understand. On top of that, there are also clear financial benefits to accessibility. In this blog post, Steven talks about those reasons and offers questions to help you start an accessibility review.