Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 82

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers! Here in DC, spring seems to be right around the corner. The past few weeks, we have been teased by 60 degree weather followed by snow storms less than 24 hours later— it’s hard to keep up! But I’m looking forward to more consistent warmth.

Read on for some great fundraising content about upgrading your monthly donors, measuring your community connections, and building a prospect management system. Enjoy!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Facebook Pages v. Groups: Optimize Your Nonprofit’s Facebook Presence

Tim Forbes (Soapbox Engage)

Facebook remains the top player among social media platforms and having a presence on Facebook is practically a necessity for nonprofits. It can be a strategic tool for fundraising, cultivating a supportive community, and expanding your network. But what are teh differences between Facebook Pages and Facebook Groups? Which one should you choose for your nonprofit? This blog outlines some of the different features for each option and factors you should consider when choosing a Facebook Page or Group for your nonprofit.

Can You Upgrade Your Monthly Donors to Higher Levels?

Erica Waasdorp (NonProfit PRO)

Is it possible to upgrade your monthly donors to higher giving levels? The answer is yes you can certainly upgrade them, but it will require some intentional outreach. Everything is a little more expensive now. Donors will understand why you're asking for an "upgrade," especially if you've been stewarding them well. Check out this blog for more insights about how to upgrade your recurring donors.

5 Fundraising Trends to Watch Right Now

Jeff Brooks (Future Fundraising Now)

Donor giving behaviors have been changing quickly over the last few years and it's critical to keep up with those changes. In Jeff's typical "to the point" style, this blog offers five specific fundraising trends that all nonprofits should pay attention to in order to keep up with donor giving trends and changing preferences.

Your Best Prospects? Look to Your Lapsed Donors!

Marcy Auman (Heroic Fundraising)

Lapsed donors can be valuable prospects to revisit. They tend to respond at higher rates and require a much lower recruitment cost. Yet, many nonprofits pay very little attention to re-acquiring lapsed donors. In this blog, Marc urges nonprofits to consider applying the same strategies you use for acquiring new donors to your strategy for re-engaging lapsed donors.

Beyond the Basics: 5 Creative Ways to Thank Donors and STAND OUT

Amy Eisenstein (Amy Eisenstein)

Gratitude is a basic expression of human kindness. Have you shown your donors how grateful you are for them in ways that stand out from the crowds? Gratitude should be memorable and meaningful. Of course, finding ways to express gratitude can be challenging with everything else you've got on your plate. This blog has some practical ideas and strategies nonprofits can use to show gratitude.

How to Measure Meaningful Connections

Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels (Veritus Group)

Many nonprofits and leaders haven't been keeping up with the greater emphasis on meaningful connections. The traditional method of face-to-face meetings as an evaluation metric has been upended by the reality that many donors don't want to meet in person anymore. Yet, most fundraisers are still using face-to-face meetings as the key evaluation metric for their team. Check out this blog for some valuable insights about how to create and measure meaningful connections with your supporters.

(Major Gifts #6) Building a Prospect Management System That Helps You Close Gifts

Jenn Shefcik (Fired-Up Fundraising)

The data in your prospect management system can keep you from wasting time on the wrong donors. Your data can forecast which donors are most likely to give now. It can also help you identify your most passionate donors who have high wealth. In this blog, Jenn shares valuable insights about how to track giving behavior and create a database that gives valuable insights about your donor prospects.

Storytelling for Fundraising: An Introduction

Vanessa Chase Lockshin (The Storytelling Non-Profit)

Just because a story is a story doesn't mean it's destined to raise the big bucks. Storytelling for fundraising is different from great testimonial quotes. Fundraisers and development professionals need to learn how to tell stories for fundraising and this blog offers resources to get you started or improve your current storytelling.

Your Complete Guide to Planning Your First Special Event

Sandy Rees (Get Fully Funded)

Fundraising events are valuable opportunities to draw attention to your organization adn give prospective donors the chance to learn more about you and your cause. More importantly, a special event will bring in money for your mission. Yet, despite hard work and best efforts, some events raise very little money once all expenses are covered. Check out this blog to avoid some of the common challenges and pitfalls that befall many nonprofits when they're planning fundraising events.