Robert Weiner

JANUARY 27, 2012

Lots of people have already weighed in on Blackbaud’s purchase of Convio (two of my favorites: [link] and [link] ). There are tons of choices out there for small and mid-sized organizations. Idealware’s Consumer’s Guide to Low Cost Donor Management Systems reviewed 30 systems, the majority of which don’t come from Convio or Blackbaud.

Blackbaud 222

Blackbaud Convio Open Source Product 222

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 30, 2012

Yesterday the news was that Blackbaud had laid off 50 employees it acquired when it bought Convio in May. In what was said to be an unrelated development, they also announced the departure of Gene Austin, the former CEO of Convio. The Blackbaud/Convio staff I spoke with seemed taken aback by this decision.

Blackbaud 264

Blackbaud Convio Database Austin 264

Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

Nonprofits that are currently using Common Ground Enterprise, Luminate, and Convio Online Marketing are also nervous. I’ve been hearing from many large organizations that are wondering whether they should be looking elsewhere. I doubt they’re the only ones. That discussion continued on my blog.

Blackbaud 171

Blackbaud Convio Database Statistics 171

Robert Weiner

MAY 5, 2010

Convio released their 2010 Online Nonprofit Benchmark Study in March, based on results from nearly 500 clients. 69% of the organizations they looked at raised more online in 2009 than in 2008, while 31% raised less. 69% of the organizations they looked at raised more online in 2009 than in 2008, while 31% raised less.

Stats 131

Stats Online Giving Convio 131

Robert Weiner

MARCH 25, 2009

Convio has released a new online fundraising benchmark report that is based on data from 600 of Convio’s nonprofit clients from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. The average gift amount was unchanged at many organizations, with the average gift hovering around $67.50 in 2007 and 2008.

Benchmark 100

Benchmark Report Online Fundraising 100

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 5, 2009

My friend and fellow consultant John Kenyon is fond of saying that, after people, data is an organization’s most important asset. An organization’s databases store its history: contact records; people served; donors, funders, and prospects; VIPs, volunteers, and vendors; event attendees, and more. NTEN www.nten.org/blog.

Data 100

Data Database Laptop Convio 100

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 11, 2009

Organizers Database (ODB). Organizers’ Collaborative. Compton Fundraising Consultants. Campaign Management Systems. Havey & Associates. Three Rivers Systems. Church Contribution System. Vian Corporation. Common Grouns. communitEbuilder. Oaktree Systems, Inc. Community Enterprise. community pearl. bromelkamp. Compass CRM.

Database 100

Database Donor Kintera Oracle 100