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). My unofficial tally is that Raiser's Edge and Salesforce have been mentioned the most.

Database 136

Database Donor Linkedin Map 136

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 15, 2015

A few months ago I wrote a post on the topic of whether nonprofits should delete old donor records. so removing records is a sure way to lose individuals who could be a donor in the future. so removing records is a sure way to lose individuals who could be a donor in the future. Are data-storage limits the concern?

Retention 100

Retention Discussion Data Donor 100

Robert Weiner

MARCH 17, 2013

Nonprofits need to know what they need and then test systems against those specific needs. In fact, the section of the report that discusses how to go about choosing a system concludes: Each available option has its own strengths and weaknesses. Needs vary tremendously from one organization to the next.

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Rate Database Donor Analysis 138

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 13, 2009

The flip side to my list of donor databases would be a list of systems that no longer exist. This does not mean that these systems are no longer in use, just that they’re no longer being sold or supported (I recently met someone who still uses FundMaster, which hasn’t been sold since at least 1999). Donor Access.

Database 100

Database Donor Associations System 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?" The system needs to be intuitive for fundraisers, but streamlined for fast data entry. Some initial thoughts: The maxim "Fast, cheap, or good -- pick two" is true. How can you know what you don't know (e.g.,

Database 122

Database Donor Analysis System 122

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. Here are the new entries: Association Management System from Micro Solutions. Tags: Donor Databases.

Database 100

Database Donor Kintera Wiki 100

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.

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Track Business Donor Database 112

Robert Weiner

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

If you have an urgent call to action, a way of reaching a mass audience, and don’t mind not being able to identify, steward, or resolicit most of the donors who give via text, mobile giving can definitely be effective. That will bring down the startup and monthly costs and allow you to identify your mobile donors.

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System Time Paypal Donation 138

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). Three Rivers Systems.

Database 100

Database Donor Kintera Oracle 100

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 23, 2009

Idealware just published an article by Keith Heller called Do You Need New Donor Management Software? Keith urges nonprofits to look before they leap into new software, cautioning that "new software may not make anything better — in fact, it could make things worse." " His closing summary is right on target: read more.

Software 100

Software Management Donor Summary 100

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 5, 2009

Marketing research firm Campbell Rinker has published the results of its latest survey of donor and member management software. Of the 841 respondents, 27% would NOT recommend their current systems to a comparable organization, 26% were unsure, and 47% would give a positive recommendation.

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Survey Results Database Donor 100

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 19, 2009

Idealware just published a new article of mine, on a subject that comes up whenever I teach workshops for small nonprofits: "Why not use Excel as my donor database?".

Database 100

Database Donor Teach System 100

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.

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Blackbaud Convio Open Source Product 222

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

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

But with a cloud-based system, when a vendor ends support or goes out of business the product can simply vanish. Blackbaud says it still gets calls from GiftMaker users, and we get questions from GMP users on TechSoup’s forums ( here's one from June 2012 ).

Blackbaud 171

Blackbaud Convio Database Statistics 171

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 22, 2010

He suggests several, including donor retention. Donor retention can definitely be affected--positively and negatively--by Advancement Services. Do donors get timely, accurate receipts and thank-you letters? Efficiency. Are they listed properly in the honor roll and other publications? When constituents request changes (e.g.,

Service 183

Service Retention Evaluation System 183

Robert Weiner

MAY 13, 2010

I received an email newsletter today with the following pitch for a web-based donor database (perhaps you can guess which one): The Cloud offers you constituent relationship management (CRM) software that's less expensive, easier to maintain, more accessible, more intuitive, and with greater flexibility and capacity than you've ever seen before.

Software 122

Software Free Database Newsletter 122

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. That charity's online giving system did not charge the credit card immediately -- instead it sent an email (ideally, an encrypted one) to a staff member that the donation needed to be processed.

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Process Donation Montana United States 271

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

If you technology decisions at your organization are driven by some of the following, we’d love to see you at NTEN''s Nonprofit Technology Conference (aka the NTC): We chose the system because we have a volunteer who knows it. Our board member, donor, or funder said to do or buy __. Do they understand the systems you’re using?

Problem 100

Problem Technology NTC System 100

Robert Weiner

JUNE 3, 2010

Here they are, with links: Donor Retention. The Agitator’s post “No New Donors!&# [link]. Attracting New Donors. Donor Databases. Idealware's "Consumers Guide to Low Cost Donor Management Systems" [link]. AFP's Fundraising Effectiveness Project: [link]. Ebook: [link]. Social Media.

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Resource eBook Social Media ROI 138

Robert Weiner

MAY 10, 2013

We get updates and information from multiple sources which can only benefit the departments who use our system. Advancement Services Best Practices Databases Donor Databases' We in Advancement Services handle data for a living and understand the importance of updates and keeping the database clean. We do phone and email appends.

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Database Chicago Mail Phone 162

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 6, 2012

The premise is that complaints about an organization's database may be misdirected: the problem is how the system is being managed (aka management problems disguised as technology problems). Did you implement the system properly in the first place? Here are my thoughts so far. What am I missing? © Walt Kelly.

Database 156

Database Law Policy Training 156

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 21, 2012

Train the system administrator thoroughly at the start of the implementation project. Also train the team that will be making decisions about the system's configuration at the start of the implementation project. Train them again just before going live. Train end users just before going live.

Database 166

Database Training Train Classroom 166

Robert Weiner

MAY 4, 2010

I often see RFPs that are quite lengthy and well-considered, and looking for a system that has huge strategic value to an organization, but the required turn-around time to respond to the RFP is very short – often only 2 or 3 weeks. Tags: Databases Donor Databases IT Management Nonprofit Technology Software.

Software 112

Software Database Phase Proposal 112

Robert Weiner

MAY 7, 2012

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

Convio 138

Convio Blackbaud System Database 138

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

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). Understand how data flows into and out of the system(s) they use. Provide great customer service.

Service 171

Service Policy Law System 171