Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 283

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

As we close out the year, we’re wishing you a happy New Year and a joyful start to what comes next! This week’s roundup is focused on reflection and readiness: what we can learn from 2025 and how to prepare for a more resilient, connected 2026.

Below, you’ll find insights on fundraising trends for 2026, ways to diversify revenue and reduce risk, and reminders that thoughtful stewardship and genuine connection are what sustain donor relationships over time. It’s a fitting note to end the year on—and to begin the next one with clarity and intention! Enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Top Nonprofit Fundraising Trends for 2026 and How to Prepare

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

2026 is shaping up to be a year where smart tech, donor-first relationship strategies, and events-driven revenue converge. Nonprofits that invest in better donor experiences will be best positioned to grow sustainable revenue. This article dives into 8 top fundraising trends for nonprofits to watch and concrete ways your team can respond, including how Soapbox Engage’s online engagement tools can help you capitalize on each trend.

Diversify Your Fundraising Plan: Reduce Risk and Boost Revenue in 2026

Sandy Rees (Get Fully Funded)

Many small nonprofits rely heavily on one main fundraising channel. That approach might work for a while. But if that event gets canceled, a donor changes priorities, or your appeal underperforms, suddenly your mission is at risk. That’s why it’s so important to diversify your fundraising plan. When you diversify your fundraising plan, you reduce risk, create stability, and give yourself options. In this blog post, Sandy discusses what this can look like in practice.

The Thank You Mistakes That Quietly Cost You Donors

Claire Axelrad (Clarification)

There is a lot of talk about how to ask for a gift, but thanking a donor for a gift is just as important—maybe even more so. A good thank you can keep gifts coming for a long time, but a bad thank you may mean you never get another gift from that donor. In this blog post, Claire identifies some thank you mistakes that may be costing you donors.

When Your Nonprofit Has Been Around for Decades

TrueSense (TrueSense)

If your nonprofit has been around for decades, you should be proud. Longevity is a testament to your organization’s resilience, commitment, and ability to adapt. However, as your nonprofit continues to evolve, your messaging, marketing, and engagement strategies must evolve as well. This blog post offers tips on how you can ensure that your long-standing nonprofit remains relevant and continues to thrive.

Making In-Game Adjustments to Your Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Plan

Liz Sobansky (The ENGAGE Blog)

The best made plans don’t always work out the way you intended. When that happens, in-game adjustments are necessary to make. While these changes are not radical overhauls of the original plan, they can often be necessary for shifting strategy and realigning the team’s focus. This blog post offers guidance for fundraisers to make in-game adjustments to their peer-to-peer fundraising plan when facing a challenge.

Every Gift is a Sign of Connection

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Co.)

We’re days away from the end of the year. Have you taken a moment to breathe in the generosity of the season? Every single gift you receive is a sign of a connection to your work and your mission. Steven urges us to remember that in this blog post.

Communicating With Your Heart

Mary Cahalane (Hands on Fundraising)

When writing an appeal letter to a donor, you want them to feel that the work your nonprofit does is valuable. This may inspire you to list all the ways your organization is fabulous. But that probably won’t be effective. In this blog post, Mary provides tips on writing a successful fundraising appeal by communicating from the heart.

Year-End Giving Begins with Year-Round Donor Stewardship

Tamara Varner (Greater Giving)

Year-end giving isn’t a December activity, it’s the result of a thoughtful year-round donor stewardship strategy. Nonprofits that consistently nurture donor relationships see stronger engagement, greater trust, and higher giving outcomes during the busiest fundraising season of the year. In this blog post, Tamara breaks down how donor stewardship throughout the year drives year-end success and how events fit into every phase of the fundraising calendar.

Report: Nonprofit Fundraising Growth Tied to Organizational Capacity

Kalie VanDewater (NonProfitPro)

As nonprofits plan for the next phase of fundraising, recent performance data reveals a widening gap in which nonprofits are positioned to grow. Some reasons why can be found in NonProfit PRO’s “2025 Nonprofit Fundraising Study.” The findings show how internal staffing and strategy shape fundraising outcomes. This blog post features some of the standout findings from the survey, which you can apply to help your organization grow in 2026.