Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 285

Happy Tuesday, Fundraisers!

We hope 2026 is off to a smooth and steady start for you. As the year gains momentum, this week’s roundup focuses on sharpening the fundamentals that make fundraising work: capturing attention from the first line of an appeal, deepening donor motivation, and strengthening the follow-through that builds lasting trust.

You’ll also find practical guidance for energizing campaigns, navigating event-day challenges, and setting your organization up for success in the year ahead. Onward!

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Great Fundraising Posts

How Your Fundraising Appeal Opening Can Pull Donors In

George Crankovic (NonProfitPro)

Every aspect of a fundraising appeal is important, and that includes how you choose to open it. When you open a fundraising appeal, you’re not just sharing information—you’re assigning a role. In this blog post, George explains how to assign your readers active roles that inspire them to donate.

5 Common Fundraising Event Day Problems and Solutions

re:charity (re:charity)

There is so much advanced planning necessary for a successful fundraising event. But no matter what you’ve done beforehand, the success of an event usually comes down to how smoothly things are executed on the big day itself. Even the best-laid plans can be derailed. This blog post covers five of the most common event-day challenges you might face, along with practical solutions.

Know How: 10 Most Valuable Donation Thank You Letter Examples

Vish Vass (GiveCentral)

Thank you letters are one of the most important pieces of a fundraising plan. But it’s not just about thanking your donors, it’s about how you do it. This blog post features ten examples of how to write a valuable donation thank you letter.

Psychology of Giving: What Motivates Donors to Give More

Tamara Varner (Greater Giving)

Giving is rarely just a financial decision, it’s an emotional one. Donors give because something moves them. When nonprofit leaders understand the psychology behind generosity, they can design experiences, messages, and events that inspire donors to give more and feel great about doing it. This blog post explores the donor psychology of giving.

Direct Mail Is Not Dying

TrueSense (TrueSense)

Many nonprofits have turned to digital-only strategies in recent years, leaving traditional direct mail behind. But contrary to popular belief, direct mail remains an effective tool for donor marketing. This blog post offers tips for using direct mail as part of a multichannel strategy.

What Fundraising Organizations Can Learn From Trusted Leaders

Jim Langley (Market Smart)

The most productive philanthropic partnerships are built on trust. Trust is built on shared convictions and candor, not self-promotion or grandiose claims. In today’s nonprofit world, too many nonprofits sound insecure or insincere. Fewer and fewer potential donors are buying the hype. In this blog post, Jim shares what we can learn from leaders in all walks of life who build and sustain trust over time.

Peer Screening 101

Laura Worcester (The ENGAGE Blog)

Peer screening, which involves volunteers evaluating the donor potential of their peers, can be a valuable asset for any organization. While there isn’t a single “correct” method for implementing peer screening, this process offers unique opportunities to enhance your fundraising efforts. This blog post explores what makes peer screening effective and shares practical ideas to get the most out of this collaborative strategy.

How Your Nonprofit Can Be More Successful in 2026

Ann Green (Ann Green’s Nonprofit Blog)

2025 was a difficult year in many ways. It may have been difficult for your nonprofit organization, especially if you were affected by funding cuts and the U.S. government shutdown. Although there is likely to be more uncertainty in 2026, planning and setting the right goals should result in a more successful year. Ann offers some tips on making those plans in this blog post.

9 Ways to Pump Up the Power of Your Fundraising

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

When it comes to developing an effective fundraising message, most of the best work happens before you even start writing. In this blog post, Jeff offers nine questions to use as a guideline to pump up your fundraising.