Robert Weiner

AUGUST 1, 2014

Organizations need to have a policy about what level of donation gets a particular level of stewardship. On the other hand, many nonprofits have bought lists, or added prospects to their database because they saw them listed on another nonprofit’s honor roll or read about them in the paper, or a board member said, "so and so has money".

Donor 112

Donor Database Module Model 112

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 30, 2012

I'd thought Luminate CRM, Convio's other database, was in more danger since it had only a tenth as many clients, was more of a work-in-progress, and competed directly with Blackbaud's Enterprise CRM product. As I wrote last January , there are lots of other database choices for small nonprofits.In

Blackbaud 264

Blackbaud Convio Database Austin 264

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 11, 2011

Some organizations make that person fix the mistake. Decentralized data entry is efficient and is the only practical approach at some organizations. If no one's in charge of quality control you're going to have a database full of garbage. Best Practices for Managing a Database. Monitoring. Retraining. Automation.

Data 195

Data Listserv Database Policy 195

Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

I’ve been hearing from many large organizations that are wondering whether they should be looking elsewhere. This could undermine nonprofits’ willingness to use cloud-based (aka Software as a Service or SaaS) databases. Nonprofits that are currently using Common Ground Enterprise, Luminate, and Convio Online Marketing are also nervous.

Blackbaud 171

Blackbaud Convio Database Statistics 171

Robert Weiner

MAY 4, 2010

I received the following email from Keith Heller , a database consultant who works with Raiser's Edge and Common Ground clients: We’ve been involved with responding to many RFPs over the years and I have a general inquiry that is in your bailiwick. " But if you're a vendor it often does.

Software 112

Software Database Phase Proposal 112

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 27, 2012

There are tons of choices out there for small and mid-sized organizations. I’ve also been compiling a list of every donor database I come across at https://socialsourcecommons.org/toolbox/show/1661. I’m currently working with clients that are considering Blackbaud and Convio’s database products (among others).

Blackbaud 222

Blackbaud Convio Open Source Product 222

Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

I've heard countless organizations describe their donor databases as "roach motels" or "data vaults" -- the data goes in but it doesn't come out. What's new is that the tools for analyzing and visualizing data are becoming easier to use, less expensive, and are built into more and more donor databases.

Track 112

Track Business Donor Database 112

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.

Data 100

Data Database Laptop Convio 100

Robert Weiner

JUNE 3, 2010

Donor Databases. My own resources page: [link] It includes links to articles like: Should Your Organization Use Social Networking Sites? Ebook: [link]. Archive of their workshop at the NTEN conference: [link]. Idealware's "Consumers Guide to Low Cost Donor Management Systems" [link]. Social Media.

Resource 138

Resource eBook Social Media ROI 138

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.

Data 100

Data Database History Attention 100

Robert Weiner

JULY 24, 2014

A second source of credit card fraud comes from outright theft – primarily by hacking a popular website or retailer’s database. Some organizations even go so far as to require a CAPTCHA or RECAPTCHA field in order for a donor to make a gift online. This is where the nonprofits come in.

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Online Giving Oregon Gift 233

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 10, 2010

Unlike their earlier guides (to inexpensive donor databases, content management systems, online donation tools, etc.) Idealware recently released its Fundraising, Communications and Outreach. this one is an actual book (84 pages, paperback) and costs actual money ($19.95, plus, I assume, shipping and maybe tax).

Software 100

Software Guide Communication Fundraising 100

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 12, 2011

It's in their DIY series -- short tips for implementing something for your organization without extensive tech know-how or extra budget. NTEN just published a short piece of mine on data management in their Change magazine. The topic they gave me was managing decentralized data entry.

Data 122

Data NTEN Tech Tips 122

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 12, 2009

There’s much more to come, so you’ll want to keep up with all the action on our website, where you can already: * Browse the list of breakout sessions, where you’ll hone the knowledge you need to help your organization meet its mission: [link]. *

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NTEN San Francisco Registration Conference 100

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 31, 2008

Last month I posted a list of best practices for managing a database and discussed, among other things, protecting data on USB drives and laptops. Else encrypted files may be lost when someone leaves the organization (or dies, for instance).

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Laptop Tutorial Database Files 100