Robert Weiner

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Reigning in shadow databases

Robert Weiner

The following story, posted with permission, was sent to the FUNDSVCS list in response to a question about how to reign in schools and departments at a university that keep their own shadow databases of contacts. I have a story that we have used quite often: A few years ago, we imported a shadow database into Raiser''s Edge.

Database 162
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ROI for a donor database

Robert Weiner

It does Direct Marketing but not Major Gift fundraising (or it does Major Gift fundraising but not Direct Marketing); we need support in both areas. The current software will not support our “road warrior” fundraisers, or we cannot access it via the browser or devices that we wish to use.

Database 181
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Chosing a donor database

Robert Weiner

I get a lot of emails like the following from small nonprofits: We desperately need to get a new donor database and most of them are totally unaffordable!! Looking at the Idealware Low Cost Database report , I find that there are so many considerations that it is quite complicated to make a choice. Then you need to check references.

Database 180
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Thinking about a donor database selection workshop

Robert Weiner

I'm planning a new workshop on selecting donor databases, focusing on the question, "Why is this so friggin' complicated?" The system needs to be intuitive for fundraisers, but streamlined for fast data entry. It needs to be easy to get reports from the database, but it also needs to support complex selection criteria.

Database 122
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What’s a good donor database?

Robert Weiner

I've been enjoying the discussion in the Chronicle of Philanthropy's LinkedIn group in response to the question, " What's a good, affordable donor database program for a small non profit? " (you'll probably need to join the group to read the responses).

Database 136
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Defunct Donor Databases

Robert Weiner

The flip side to my list of donor databases would be a list of systems that no longer exist. Tags: Donor Databases Fundraising Advancement Services. This probably isn’t as useful a list, but it’s short so here goes: SYSTEM. GiftMaker Pro. Campagne Associates. Gizsoft, LLC. InfoCentral. InfoCentral. Meadowbase.

Database 100
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How Many Donor Databases Are There?

Robert Weiner

I thought it might be useful to compile a list of all of the commercial donor databases I’m aware of. This list came from my head, my bookmarks, and lists compiled by NTEN and Idealware for their donor management software surveys (and I’m not certain all of these are actually donor databases). FundRaiser Basic.

Database 100