Robert Weiner

MARCH 4, 2010

doesn't work this way -- commissions violate the Association of Fundraising Professionals' code of ethics. An organization like Habitat wouldn't look for employees by sending mass emails to "undisclosed recipients." We are an organization with a remarkable heritage. There are so many things wrong with this pitch.

Haiti 122

Haiti Fundraising Spam gMail 122

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 15, 2015

The original question: My organization is working on a data retention policy and wondering if others have insights to share. Here is a compilation of the responses: I did my graduate work in archives and records management. There seems to be a feeling we should remove any records that have not had an action in 7 years.

Retention 100

Retention Discussion Data Donor 100

Robert Weiner

JULY 24, 2014

Using networked computers to automate their work, they can try thousands of numbers in a few hours. Some organizations even go so far as to require a CAPTCHA or RECAPTCHA field in order for a donor to make a gift online. If they get that confirmation, they are ready to go shopping. Warning Signs.

Online 233

Online Giving Oregon Gift 233

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. What’s the thought behind requiring quick responses from the vendors?

Software 112

Software Database Phase Proposal 112

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 8, 2012

Tale #3: A decade or so ago, when I worked at a certain cathedral in [another state], I was sent an envelope full of grocery coupons and pornography from a man whose accompanying hand-written letter (yes… all caps) claimed him to be the grandson of Michelangelo (long life spans in that family). His return address was a NY prison.

St. Louis 122

St. Louis Charity Donor New Hampshire 122

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 21, 2009

The Chronicle of Philanthropy held an online discussion on January 21, 2009 about how nonprofits can publicize their work. What can your organization do to make sure these efforts are meaningful?

Philanthropy 100

Philanthropy News Public Discussion 100

Robert Weiner

JUNE 23, 2009

The speakers include: Danielle Brigida , the social-media outreach coordinator at the National Wildlife Federation, in Washington, DC where she manages the organization’s voice on online networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Care2, Change.org, Digg, and StumbleUpon. read more.

Discussion 113

Discussion Stumbleupon Social Network Digg 113

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 22, 2009

An average online gift of $152.12, although organizations focused on event-based and peer-to-peer online fundraising had lower average gift amounts. The average online gift for the organizations studied increased to $248.82 The average online gift for the organizations studied increased to $248.82 in December. in December.

Trend 100

Trend Online Giving Summary 100

Robert Weiner

JULY 22, 2011

The letter begins "Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. Dear Beneficiary, Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. This ended 3 days ago. This ended 3 days ago.

Money 122

Money Nigeria Spam National 122

Robert Weiner

JUNE 26, 2009

The discussion featured: Danielle Brigida , the social-media outreach coordinator at the National Wildlife Federation, in Washington, DC where she manages the organization's voice on online networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Care2, Change.org, Digg, and StumbleUpon. read more.

Social Network 100

Social Network Stumbleupon Causes Network 100

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 27, 2012

There are tons of choices out there for small and mid-sized organizations. I’m currently working with clients that are considering Blackbaud and Convio’s database products (among others). But that product started out with development and support from a major organization (the Metropolitan Opera).

Blackbaud 222

Blackbaud Convio Open Source Product 222

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 7, 2009

Not all organizations, or types of groups, experience the same changes in giving, even in recession years. Groups must plan to change the scale and nature of their fundraising work now to match predicted foundation gaps. For many groups, it will mean the SCALE and orientation of their fundraising work will have to change.

Gift 100

Gift Fundraising Comparison Foundation 100

Robert Weiner

JULY 17, 2009

Figure out where you will work and what equipment you will need. Figure out how you will bill for your work: hourly (at what rate) or fixed-fees for projects? Will you tier your fees for different sized organizations? Figure out how you will market your work. volunteer work. volunteer work. Options include.

Consultant 100

Consultant Advice Listserv Associations 100

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. In addition, there is a growing number of business analysts who understand fundraising and systems and know how to work with donor data.

Track 112

Track Business Donor Database 112

Robert Weiner

APRIL 28, 2009

Trying to re-learn how to work on a team? Separation of strategy work and managing vendor neutrality. Looking at growth, through partnership, subcontractor, off-load work on to others and still get paid. And needs new bathrobe to wear at work? How to size up clients if they’re a good fit? what are the red flags?

Consultant 100

Consultant Structure NTEN Skills 100

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 8, 2009

As a fundraising operations geek, I wonder how this works on the back end. Will the Twestival organizers send tax receipts to the donors, or will that fall to charity:water? Beth Kanter wrote an extensive, thoughtful account of the upcoming Twestival event , which aims to raise $500,000 for the group charity:water.

Raise 100

Raise Twitter Contact Gift 100

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 10, 2010

It's hard to even know even what types exist, let alone what might work for you. Through a friendly, easy-reference format, this book helps you pinpoint the types of software that can help your organization based on your needs and your level of technology savvy, and provides user-friendly summaries to demystify all the possible options.

Software 100

Software Guide Communication Fundraising 100

Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

Looking for an innovative and compelling way to tell your organization's story? We will help you learn how to maximize the impact of your organization's message with online audio, video, and images. My friends at TechSoup asked me to pass along info about their upcoming digital storytelling event.

Storytelling 122

Storytelling Digital San Francisco Free 122

Robert Weiner

MARCH 5, 2010

gSyncIt would probably be fine, but I already had Google Calendar Sync working before I found gSyncIt. I initially had trouble getting a bi-directional sync to work. The Palm tech told me bidirectional sync problems are at the top of their list of things to fix and an upcoming release should make it work through IMAP.

gMail 112

gMail Flash Calendar Music 112

Robert Weiner

APRIL 28, 2009

Discipline for processes and organization — clients appreciate this. Eric didn’t refuse clients and learned to work with sub-contractors, but he trained them to work with the clients in a quality control role too. Work/Life Balance: Set time to completely focus on family — no iPhone, etc.

Consultant 100

Consultant NTEN Conference Skills 100

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 5, 2010

These are the people who need to determine whether a contribution can be counted as a gift, which fund it should go to, who is the legal donor, whether it's tax deductible and who gets tax credit, whether accepting it violates any federal, state,or organization rules, who should be notified of the gift's arrival, etc.

Service 171

Service Policy Law System 171

Robert Weiner

JUNE 21, 2009

The tech underground model (loose yet organized affiliation of npo techs who share skills and back each other up) is one of the good models out there. Use it not only to advertise your services, but also to share files with clients, point to resources, clarify your working style/methods/contract, etc. 2) Get a wiki. Attend conferences.

Consultant 136

Consultant Advice NPO Files 136

Robert Weiner

MARCH 20, 2009

One-time Internet givers to the 12 organizations who reported their fundraising data in January gave a median of $27 more than those who made single gifts by mail. I wonder whether other factors might be at work here.

Donor 100

Donor Online Giving Mail 100