Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 293

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! I hope you were able to get some fresh air today, wherever you are!

This week’s newsletter highlights comparisons of the top auction software platforms for 2026, practical tips for prospect research, and insights on avoiding common major gift pitfalls—plus a reality check on how AI can help or hurt your donor relationships if you’re not careful.

Enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Best Nonprofit Auction Software 2026: 10 Platforms Compared

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Picking the wrong auction software is an expensive mistake. And one you won’t find out you made until the event—when mobile bidding lags, data doesn't sync, or your team is manually reconciling payments for days afterward. To avoid that costly mistake, check out this guide that reviews the leading nonprofit auction software platforms in 2026 and explains what to look for before you sign a contract.

5 Creative Ways to Show Appreciation for Your Volunteers

Timothy Sarazen (Ann Green’s Nonprofit Blog)

Volunteers have an immense impact on your organization. So it’s important that you let them know what their support means to your nonprofit. In this blog post, Timothy offers five creative ways to show your volunteers that you appreciate them.

5 Fundraising Myths That Are Hurting Your Campaigns

Ann Fellman (Get Fully Funded)

The nonprofit world is constantly evolving, and long-held fundraising beliefs can quickly become outdated. To keep your strategy current and effective, you need to understand the top fundraising myths and why they aren’t true. This blog post explores several fundraising myths and how to combat them in your own approach.

Fundraising Finding: Revealing AI Use Can Hurt Nonprofit Results and Relationships (Unless You Explain Why)

Dr. Russell James (MarketSmart)

AI can save organizations lots of time and money. But people have feelings about AI use, including your donors. In this blog post, Dr. Russell shares the findings from experiments about how donors react when nonprofits use AI, and what you can do to mitigate the response.

Avoid These Key Obstacles to Successful Major Gift Asks

Claire Axelrad (Clairification)

Major gift fundraising likely makes up a large percentage of your organization’s revenue. So crafting a strong major gift ask is something you probably want to spend a fair amount of time on. In this blog post, Claire identifies some key obstacles that may be getting in the way of a successful major gift ask.

3 Practical Ways to Use Prospect Research at Your Nonprofit

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

When thinking about prospect research, you may think it’s specifically for preparing to launch a capital campaign or soliciting new major donors. And while those are great times for it, the power of prospect research can be applied across many more large-scale fundraising activities your nonprofit undertakes, from online giving to corporate sponsorships. In this guide, we'll break down how to get started with gathering the data for prospect research and a few ways that you can implement it right away.

How Nonprofits Can Reward Board Members Throughout Their Service

Mike Burns (NonProfitPRO)

Your advisory board can make a huge difference in the success of your nonprofit organization. In order to make a difference, they need to be committed—which can be quite demanding. Your board members deserve to be recognized for all the work they put in. In this blog post, Mike offers suggestions on how you can reward your board members for their dedication.

DIY Donor Newsletter – Yes, You Can

Mary Cahalane (Hands On Fundraising)

Reporting back to your donors is an important part of the stewardship process. This makes donor newsletters a great retention tool. If you feel like you don’t have the capacity or resources to do a donor newsletter, don’t worry! Check out this blog post that breaks down how you can do a donor newsletter simply.

How to Train Your Fundraising Volunteers for Success

FundraisingIP (FundraisingIP)

No matter what type of fundraising event you host, volunteers play a crucial role in making it happen. But they can only be effective when your organization sets them up for success. By investing time in volunteer training, you can turn occasional helpers into long-term advocates for your organization. This blog post is a step-by-step guide to training your fundraising volunteers for maximum impact.