Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 294

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

If your week has already been a mix of “we need this done now” and “we should really be thinking long-term,” you’re in good company. This week’s roundup leans right into that tension: how to balance the day-to-day demands with the bigger picture work that moves your mission forward.

Scroll down for ideas on opening stronger major gift conversations, handling donor objections with more confidence, and building a nonprofit budget that will support your longterm.

Enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

How to Create a Nonprofit Budget That Supports Your Mission

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Your nonprofit's mission is the guiding force behind everything your team does. However, it can be hard to directly translate your mission into realistic goals and benchmarks to guide your team. Your annual operating budget can serve as the interpreter between your mission and your nonprofit's activities. In this guide, we'll walk through how to create your nonprofit's operating budget so you can keep doing good work to further your mission.

The Discovery Call Playbook: Open the Door to Major Gifts

Gail Perry (Gail Perry Group)

One of the most important aspects of major gift fundraising is Discovery. At that stage, you are trying to discover whether a donor is really a prospect for a future gift – or not. Discovery conversations give you the opportunity to slow down, listen carefully, and learn what truly matters to the person sitting across from you. This blog post shares insight on how to approach a Discovery call.

Does Humor Work in Fundraising?

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Have you ever used humor in your fundraising appeals? How did it go? If you haven’t, or it didn’t go how you wanted, check out this blog post where Jeff explains the challenges of using humor with your donors.

From Objections to Opportunities: Winning Over Donors

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

Sometimes donors say “yes” right away. More often, they don’t. You may not get an outright “no,” but you’ll get a hesitation. There’s no need to be afraid of these hesitations! In this blog post, Claire shares how you can overcome these objections and leave donors happy.

The Two Speeds of Nonprofit Work (And Why Both Are Necessary)

Marc A. Pitman (The Fundraising Coach)

Nonprofit work can feel uniquely challenging. You’re likely doing risky, important work with minimal funding. Not to mention, there are two different speeds of nonprofit work—and both are rarely discussed. In this blog post, Marc identifies the two speeds of nonprofit work and how to work with both.

Nonprofit Auction Software for Salesforce: A Buyer's Guide

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

If your nonprofit runs Salesforce, choosing auction software isn't just a fundraising decision. It's a data decision. The auction platform you pick will determine whether your event revenue lands cleanly in your CRM or lands on someone's clipboard waiting to be imported the following week. This guide is written for development directors, operations leads, and Salesforce admins at nonprofits that are either buying auction software for the first time or replacing something that isn't working.

Website Maintenance 101: Basics Your Nonprofit Should Know

re:charity (re:charity)

Your website is often the first place someone encounters your nonprofit. And whether we like it or not, people make quick judgments. A well-maintained website signals that your organization is active, credible, and paying attention. Fortunately, strong website maintenance does not have to be complicated, just consistent. This blog post lists some of the best nonprofit website maintenance tips every team should build into their routine.

How Nonprofits Can Improve Volunteer Retention

Erin Morris Miller, Ph.D. (NonProfitPRO)

Volunteers are crucial to helping nonprofit organizations fulfill their missions. However, according to recent NonProfit PRO research, 38% of nonprofit leaders identified volunteer recruitment and retention as a challenge. If you need help in retaining your volunteers, check out this blog post.

The ‘Frosted Flakes’ of Fundraising

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Co.)

Are you a fan of sugary cereals? Whether you personally like them or just remember the commercials, you know they are advertised as “part” of a balanced breakfast—and not the whole thing. In this blog post, Steven identifies the fundraising tactic that is part of a balanced fundraising strategy, and why it can’t meet all of your needs.