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Newsletter, December 2004

By Karen Graham, Client Development Manager

Nonprofit Neighborhood

Put on your thinking cap

2004 was a great year for thedatabank.  We added new clients, new staff, and new features.  And through it all, we kept on doing what we do best - providing easy to use tools that help nonprofits manage relationships.  Here are some of the results:

• One organization got an 85% response rate on an action alert.
• Another organization raised over $50,000 in an online fundraising campaign, using Powermail.
• Still another registered thousands of participants for training, using our online forms.
• Dozens of nonprofits used thedatabank for personalized mailings.
• Civic engagement efforts across the country benefited from our legislative district matching and data management services, mobilizing millions of first-time voters.

Now we want to hear from you.  Do you have a technology success story to share?  Feedback or suggestions?  Send an email to info@thedatabank.com.

Tip du Jour

Hats off to our guest writer, Betsy Harman of Harman Interactive

Three Keys to Online Fundraising Success

Online giving is on the rise.  Donors are becoming increasingly comfortable with using their credit cards online and nonprofits are experiencing double and triple digit percentage increases in online giving. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy's fifth annual survey of online fundraising, online gifts rose by 48% at the 146 organizations that provided figures for both 2002 and 2003.

However, online giving is still a fairly small slice of the overall revenue pie at most organizations. And, while I believe that every organization should have a secure online donation form, simply adding one to your website won't translate into instant big bucks for your organization. 

So what's the secret to online fundraising success?   (read on) 

Karen's Blog

How I learned to make a hat

This Christmas, several of my family members will receive hand-made hats as gifts from me.  That's because I recently learned to knit, and I'm eager to show off my new skill.

There are a lot of ways to learn how to knit.  A person could be tutored by a grandma, watch a video, take a class, read instructions on the internet, or figure it out by trial and error.  In my case, I got an introduction from an expert, who demonstrated the two basic stitches that everything else is built on.  Then I figured out for myself how to make cables and braids, knit with two colors of yarn, etc. by experimentation.

I approached thedatabank in roughly the same way when I was a new employee.  Chris showed me the basics, and then I played around until I got the hang of it.  But not everyone learns the same way.

That's why we have many different ways to teach our clients how to use thedatabank.  Options include:

• The User Guide, which is going through a major update right now
• Group sessions via web conference - dates to be announced for Spring; also scheduled on demand
• One on one training, in person or via web conference
• Humdinger College - play around in our sand box
• Tip du Jour - monthly tips distributed through this newsletter; archived on our web site
• Support request form - use for incidental "how to" questions
• Referrals or announcements of training opportunities offered by other organizations

Training is one of my priorities for next year, and I welcome your suggestions.  Also, don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you've already had lots of training.  I promise, I won't knit you a dunce cap.

Karen

Announcements

Happy Holidays from all of us at thedatabank!

Upgrades

e-ActionMax users, your target database has been updated with the new post-election information on elected officials.

Events

Save the date:
Social Marketing workshop, featuring author and researcher Doug McKenzie-Mohr, is scheduled for June 13-15 in Minneapolis.

Just For Fun

Hats of Meat

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