Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

The Nonprofit Times recently published an article called Is It Donor Management Software Or Business Intelligence. " This vision of donor management software is nothing new. This lack of analytic tools often drives nonprofits to look for new donor management software.

Track 112

Track Business Donor Database 112

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 13, 2009

The flip side to my list of donor databases would be a list of systems that no longer exist. Donor Access. Donor Access. Tags: Donor Databases Fundraising Advancement Services. This probably isn’t as useful a list, but it’s short so here goes: SYSTEM. Compass Technologies. GroundSpring. First Chair.

Database 100

Database Donor Associations System 100

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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

Database Donor Linkedin Map 136

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 19, 2009

The good folks at Aspiration have been working to put my list of donor databases into a wiki. Along the way the identified some that seem to have disappeared and weren't on my earlier list of defunct donor databases. Federation from Symphony Information Services. Tags: Donor Databases. DonorAccess from DonorAccess.

Database 100

Database Donor Kintera Wiki 100

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 8, 2012

The following is a compilation of online discussions of faux donors trying to scam colleges, schools, and nonprofits. She couldn't find a trace of him through Google so tried calling the numbers given later in the day and none were in service. BTW beware potential donors who only correspond using cap lock.

St. Louis 122

St. Louis Charity Donor New Hampshire 122

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 11, 2009

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). Donor Quest.

Database 100

Database Donor Kintera Oracle 100

Robert Weiner

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

I'm planning a new workshop on selecting donor databases, focusing on the question, "Why is this so friggin' complicated?" Some initial thoughts: The maxim "Fast, cheap, or good -- pick two" is true. You want the technology to be forward-looking but also want to avoid shiny object syndrome.

Database 122

Database Donor Analysis System 122

Robert Weiner

JULY 24, 2014

Vered Siegel , Manager of Development Services. Kirsten Williams , Associate Director, Gift Services. The credit card scam/fraud attempt that many nonprofits have experiences starts with a very large online gift from an unknown donor. The addresses of the “donors” are all in sequence, or all within the same zip code.

Online 233

Online Giving Oregon Gift 233

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 19, 2011

As the calendar year draws to an end, charities (and ideally, donors) are focused on year-end donations and tax deductions. Paul, Executive Director of the Montana Legal Services Association, from the book Advancement Services: A Foundation for Fund Raising , 2nd ed., Here are a few scenarios for U.S. charities to keep in mind.

Process 271

Process Donation Montana United States 271

Robert Weiner

MAY 10, 2013

We in Advancement Services handle data for a living and understand the importance of updates and keeping the database clean. Advancement Services. Advancement Services Best Practices Databases Donor Databases' In the process, I discovered that they had mailed to 5 deceased people. Michelle Kolak. Assistant Director.

Database 162

Database Chicago Mail Phone 162

Robert Weiner

MARCH 10, 2011

The next day, we receive an email from the donor with the following info: the $9,000 gift amount was a mistake, it should have been $900. The gift was made in memory of the donor’s late mother (never named) who had a wonderful experience at our college.

Donation 242

Donation Yahoo Info Gift 242

Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

This could undermine nonprofits’ willingness to use cloud-based (aka Software as a Service or SaaS) databases. (And of course Blackbaud’s competitors are only too happy to capitalize on these fears.). But with a cloud-based system, when a vendor ends support or goes out of business the product can simply vanish.

Blackbaud 171

Blackbaud Convio Database Statistics 171

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 11, 2011

Some things have to be fixed by your office or by Development Services. Donors will give online and misspell their own names, or leave the caps lock on. You might also use vendors to perform cleanups like merge/purges on duplicates. Acceptance.

Data 195

Data Listserv Database Policy 195

Robert Weiner

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

One of the presentations at last month’s Association of Advancement Services Professionals conference dealt with mobile giving. That will bring down the startup and monthly costs and allow you to identify your mobile donors. I’m still skeptical about its suitability for most nonprofits, and the NY Times said the same yesterday.

System 138

System Time Paypal Donation 138

Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

The NonProfit Times ran the story The Evolution of Donor Management And Its Fundraising Future , which deals with how technology is transforming the way nonprofits interact with donors, particularly online. I was interviewed for two articles that were published recently. And the Chronicle of Philanthropy ran 'But It's Free!'

News 100

News Interview Philanthropy Interaction 100

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

Our board member, donor, or funder said to do or buy __. Is there a help or service desk where someone is readily available to help when needed? Is the help/service desk staffed by friendly people with good customer service skills? Or “Our VISTA/New Sector volunteer is really smart. She’ll figure this out!”.

Problem 100

Problem Technology NTC System 100

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 27, 2009

The responses came primarily from post-secondary schools, but also included elementary schools, healthcare, museums, gardens, performing arts, and service organizations. The findings included: Although 99% of respondents accept matching gifts, only 67% actively ask individual donors to request matching gifts. 63% raised over $50,000.

Gift 100

Gift Practice Survey Museum 100

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 30, 2012

Today the news is that Blackbaud is killing off Common Ground , one of the two donor management products (aka CRMs or Constituent Relationship Management systems) that they acquired from Convio. In what was said to be an unrelated development, they also announced the departure of Gene Austin, the former CEO of Convio.

Blackbaud 264

Blackbaud Convio Database Austin 264

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 27, 2012

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. I’ve also been compiling a list of every donor database I come across at https://socialsourcecommons.org/toolbox/show/1661. I’m more concerned about the top end of the market.

Blackbaud 222

Blackbaud Convio Open Source Product 222

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 27, 2010

Applications are being accepted for $2,500 in-kind donations of audio, video, and web conferencing services from C3 Conferencing. C3 will also provide complimentary training as needed. In addition to the in-kind donation, C3 will provide a $2,500 cash grant to be used for the purposes of enhancing communication. read more.

Grant 100

Grant Donation Audio Program 100

Robert Weiner

JULY 17, 2009

The responses came primarily from academic institutions, but also included significant numbers from healthcare, religious, and social service organizations. The findings included: 96% of respondents accept matching gifts (down from 99% in 2008), but only 60% actively ask individual donors to request matching gifts.

Gift 100

Gift Practice Survey Technique 100

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 5, 2010

I've been thinking about what it takes to run a great Advancement Services operation (aka Development Services, Development Operations, Development Systems, the fundraising infrastructure, the back office). While outsiders sometimes view Advancement Services as data entry staff, there's a lot more to it. (I

Service 171

Service Policy Law System 171

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 6, 2012

Is the “help desk” staffed by friendly people with good customer service skills? Does this person play well with others? Is there some sort of “help desk” where someone is readily available to help users when needed? Have you looked at your business processes to make sure they’re efficient and effective?

Database 156

Database Law Policy Training 156

Robert Weiner

MARCH 4, 2010

Private donations will be made in your name from our esteemed Voluntary Donors in your region and other parts of the world and you'll be allowed to deduct 10 percent (10%) of the total amount on these donations.

Haiti 122

Haiti Fundraising Spam gMail 122

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 21, 2012

A question was posted to a listserve for nonprofit techies looking for tips on training staff on a new database. I discussed training at a high level on page 13 of this chapter from CASE's Handbook of Institutional Advancement.

Database 166

Database Training Train Classroom 166

Robert Weiner

MARCH 4, 2013

Last year the big news in my industry was Blackbaud's acquisition of Convio and the merger/acquisition of Datatel and Sungard Higher Education (now called Ellucian). 2013 is off to a bang with Accel-KKR's acquisition of Sage's Nonprofit Solutions Group and iModules acquisition of Harris Connect.

Software 122

Software Convio Press Blackbaud 122

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

This change is in-line with our transition to a subscription-based service. Push-to-sync online donations: sync donors and donations with CRM in a single click. Process recurring donations based on donors'' schedule of giving. Maintain cleaner data: set required fields for donors and donation records.

Change 100

Change Database Module Hosting 100

Robert Weiner

MAY 4, 2012

The Department of Justice signed off on Blackbaud's acquisition of Convio last week, and it looks like the deal will close this week. This is just the beginning of the story. I expect that it will take at least several months, and probably several years, before the dust settles and we know what's left behind.

Blackbaud 122

Blackbaud Convio Story Support 122

Robert Weiner

MAY 7, 2012

Blackbaud completed its purchase of Convio. The next adventure starts today, as we wait to see what the future holds for their various systems.

Convio 138

Convio Blackbaud System Database 138

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 12, 2011

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

Data 122

Data NTEN Tech Tips 122