3rd Sector Labs

DECEMBER 1, 2013

Robust – We aren’t big fans of this overblown word, but in the case of Open Source it works. The Drupal framework, for example, has been extended through more than 25,000 modules contributed by the developer community.

Open Source 100

Open Source Open Drupal WordPress 100

3rd Sector Labs

APRIL 28, 2014

For example, one system may prefer that husband and wife are created as a joint account, while another may prefer that the two are individual donor accounts that are linked. The less work that you can complete through the import tool, the more work you will have to address alternatively. Better to get this out of the way first.

Data 178

Data Donor Database Map 178

3rd Sector Labs

MARCH 28, 2015

Consider, for example, that in any given event the participant (one degree of separation) asks for the support of a family member (two degrees of separation) who, in turn, may forward along that invite to his or her own network (three degrees of separation). Or maybe it’s just good old-fashioned donor fatigue?

Fundraising 100

Fundraising Retention Data Donor 100

3rd Sector Labs

MARCH 1, 2015

Consider the following examples. One customer we worked with would not purge records, and in fact, created multiple versions of the same records over time. How much manual work are you willing to invest in reviewing bad records or record anomalies discovered in the cleaning process? The costs of managing too much bad data.

Data 100

Data Donor Database Mail 100

3rd Sector Labs

OCTOBER 2, 2014

Multi-channel fundraising experts, like our friends at 2Dialog for example, would point out the importance of using your new “found data” as a basis for strategically cultivating new donor relationships, not just making new donation requests without learning about your donors. Let’s think about best practices for a minute.

Challenge 183

Challenge Data Analysis Charity 183

3rd Sector Labs

NOVEMBER 13, 2014

An example. Here’s an example of the problem through the eyes of a recent client (I’m paraphrasing). One reason data problems like the example above don’t get resolved is because we lack sufficient IT expertise to get the work done. For example, financial, outcomes, fundraising. What to do.

Data 160

Data Management Synchronous Database 160

3rd Sector Labs

NOVEMBER 18, 2014

For more detail, read How Cloud Storage Works on the howstuffworks website. Making sense with an example or two. A couple of examples should help illustrate this. They work from a single office, and everyone in the office has access to the software. Make sense? It is a little dated, but still very good. Costs are low.

Organization 130

Organization Software Data Local 130

3rd Sector Labs

APRIL 4, 2014

And from the Q&A at the end of the event … QUESTION: Isn’t successful fundraising ultimately connected to the quality of the organization’s work? The effectiveness of strategy, technology and data working together can mean the difference between a good program and a great program. Not sure = 7%. CHRIS: Yes.

Data 100

Data Technology Strategy Fundraising 100

3rd Sector Labs

MAY 4, 2015

For example, resist the temptation to lump your entire marketing budget into a donor acquisition formula – because your marketing budget serves many more purposes than that. Congratulations – you have more work to do! For our purposes here, let’s assume you have the data you need. It’s a start.

Donor 100

Donor Database Analysis Activities 100