Welcome to MatchTips!

MatchTips, a quarterly newsletter from MatchMaker FundRaising Software, will provide fundraising tips and technology information to nonprofit organizations. Volume 7 discusses information and advice regarding fundraising in economic turmoil. Below are helpful tips that will enhance your organization's fundraising.

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Recession Proof Fundraising

Written by Anisha Robinson Keeys

Sales guru Zig Ziglar said, "If you have enough push, you don’t have to worry about the pull." No matter what you believe about the current economic outlook, if you are a not-for-profit, cutbacks on the part of grantmakers and donors will likely affect your ability to raise funds requiring you to push that much harder to maintain financial stability.

Here are some strategies for pushing harder to raise funds during a recession.

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And Now for Something Different About Nonprofits and the Economy

In her blog, Jan Masaoka, discusses a different take on how nonprofit organizations can function in a recession. She lists five ideas that you might not have heard before. Jan provides a philosophical framework that is built on common sense, but it will open your eyes to the realities we are all facing.

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Your Donors' Bottom Line

In her blog, Penelope Burk discusses how this unprecedented economy has handed fundraisers an opening to finally get real action on donors’ biggest concern.

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More Than a Label Maker

Written by Diana V. Hoyt, CFRE

Donor management is not about creating mailing labels. Donor management is about gathering reliable donor information, managing that information, and following through with solid donor stewardship.

Gathering the information seems like an easy task. Nonprofits have many opportunities to obtain information about their donors or prospective donors. Whether you receive a check in the mail, have visitors drop in, or manage special event attendees, all are opportunities to collect information.

Basic information, such as name, address, and phone number, can normally be garnered from a donor’s check. Receiving a check in the mail provides an opportunity to reach out to the donor. Does your organization have a policy that each donor is called and thanked for their gift upon receipt? If you reach the donor by phone, do you ask for additional information such as an E-mail address or inquire as to their interest in your organization?

If a visitor walks through the door, how does your organization manage that person? Do you have a procedure? Is the visitor greeted and asked for additional info -- either in writing or in person? Are they provided with information such as a newsletter or brochure? Who on staff will greet the visitor? How visitor-friendly is your organization? This is a golden opportunity that could forever determine the relationship your organization has with that donor or prospective donor.

And finally, how do you manage special event attendees? Special event attendees are often routinely dismissed as "the party goer" or "golfer." Do you attempt to learn more about them and their interests by engaging them at the event? Do you secure their basic information from their host? Or, do you have all attendees fill out a card for a raffle prize? This is an easy and fun way to gather information from your event participants. If you capture their information, what is your policy regarding how long you will maintain the prospect in your database if they do not become a donor?

Having collected the donor or prospect’s information, do you have written policies and procedures for donor data management? Such policies and procedures will improve the consistency and quality of the information as it is gathered and stored. Staff turnover can and does create inconsistencies in your donor database because the last user "did it their way."

Having gathered the initial donor information, how do you store the information? Many organizations are using Excel spreadsheets or a home-grown system. Eventually these methods of managing data fail. Both the Excel spreadsheets and the home-grown systems become cumbersome to manipulate and provide inadequate opportunities for storage of new donor information. They are seldom documented, nor are they updated to manage the trends in fundraising. They are reduced to creating mailing labels.

A commercial donor management software package, such as MatchMaker FundRaising Software, will enable your organization to maintain a robust database that captures all the necessary donor information. The result will enable you to maintain a wide-range of donor profile information, facilitate targeted fundraising efforts, and raise more money.

For more information regarding MatchMaker call 800-752-3100 or 602-265-6680, or click www.matchmakerfrs.com.