FundRaiser Blog

The FundRaiser Software Blog is an excellent resource for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about fundraising, donor management, membership management, and much more.

Transitioning from FundRaiser Basic to Spark: Gift Codes

61

One of the improved features when moving from FundRaiser Basic to Spark is increased coding and options for your gifts. In FundRaiser Basic, along with the amount and date given, there is a checkbox to send a thank you letter, as well as a field for the notes. The “source” code acts as a way to document what drove the gift, for example an appeal letter or an event.

Continue reading
3096 Hits

Transitioning from FundRaiser Basic to Spark: Donor Codes

60_basic-to-spark-codes

FundRaiser Basic offers three codes for donor records: a category code, a source code, and newsletter preferences. These three codes provide an excellent foundation for transitioning into FundRaiser Spark or even Select or Professional. Let’s look at each of the codes.

Continue reading
2969 Hits

My Experience: Moving from FundRaiser Basic to Spark

BasicSpark

After 5 years of using FundRaiser Basic, the organization I volunteer for decided to move to FundRaiser Spark. The 5 years we've been using Basic have been good to us, and Basic has played a significant role in that. The organization has stabilized donations at the level needed for our operations, and increased fundraising to create 'a little extra' each year. In a kind of feedback loop between success with fundraising and growing confidence, we've also been willing to try new things and expand our impact. Although quite happy with what we've been able to do with Basic, the time seemed right to give ourselves more power in our donor management software and to explore having a greater impact in our community. 

The move from Basic to Spark has been enjoyable and interesting. I've learned two basic things--

Continue reading
3543 Hits

Moving up the Donor Management Ladder

SparkUpgrade

I've been thrilled with my explorations as a volunteer fundraiser for a small all-volunteer nonprofit that I support. Four years ago, I moved donor information from Excel spreadsheets into FundRaiser's simplest program, FundRaiser Basic.  At that time, I had no hands-on experience raising money, and I was eager to try out some of the things I'd learned from talking to customers in my work at FundRaiser. 

As it turned out, success was relatively easy. Yes, it's true what 'they' say: sending thank you letters, following up with donors who gave last year but not this year, and making sure that donors don't fall through the cracks does result in more stable incoming donations. I've learned lots of good lessons in fundraising and what's more I've really enjoyed the work. Now, on our 5th year using FundRaiser Software, the organization is more financial stable than ever before, all funded by grassroots giving-- loyal donors who believe in our work and aren't likely to move on as a grant or foundation often does. 

Continue reading
2669 Hits

Come Rain, Shine or Nor'easter, American Rescue Workers Offer Crucial Assistance

FesslerNewsreportImage

It’s been a tough winter in eastern United States. Happily, there are nonprofits who help keep people safe. American Rescue Workers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania is one, providing emergency assistance in the way of food, shelter, counseling, and more. 

Their mission is to give spiritual and material aid to those in need. New development director Valerie Fessler is busy fundraising in the community as well as working behind the scenes to build an even stronger program.

Continue reading
3196 Hits
Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
direct mail Constant Contact fundraising backing up data planned giving texting donors planning adding personal notes to letters SYBUNTS development director small donations budget donor slip announcements donor retention salutation customer portal volunteering monthly giving foundations Thank You relationship tracking social media membersip benefits features Congratulations follow up Groupings volunteers Importing Data solicitors motivation code new nonprofit moves management letter templates government grants In-Kind gifts phoning donors tribute gifts banquet transparency communications Resiliency mode code major gift prospects grants publicity materials animal rescue Facebook campaign lapsed donor #GivingTuesday Personalizing campaign arts change of address updating National Change of Address donor advised funds data entry donor preferences security how to handle auction gifts customer service GivingTuesday Company culture on site training donor targeting board members entering auction gifts correspondance Reporting to IRS new leadership increasing giving amounts spreadsheets merge notes Donor Portal campaign management memorial giving fundraising letters flash sales FundRaiser Spark importing csv add ons happiness upgrade NCOA processing look and feel donor contact information donor attrition rate product news Reminders upgrading donors legacy giving donor engagement online donations tax summary letters event management personalizing letters Thanksgiving donor retention rate corporate sponsors Excel annual campaign disaster relief general password protection online donations raffle donor prospects annual maintenance plan brick campaign holiday giving mission driven gift entry nonprofit fundraising Alternative Addresses new features mailing appeal ROI ticketsales LYBUNTS endowment campaign passwords vacation Volunteer module GoFundMe project ticket sales training tip building donor relationships holiday letters segmenting donors donor attrition membership benefits Tickles data conversion spare fields alumni premiums repeat donors donor word processor holiday pictures custom page training updates auction donor profile major donors anonymous donors accounting software Task List operational costs operating systems tech tip merge fields donor relations pledges gift acceptance policy new donors donor loyalty prospects case study New Year email the Ask how-to videos overview community arts nonprofits Codes donor recognition community supported gardens PayPal donor source giving levels user spotlights membership programs thank you letters targeted mailings recurring gifts gift notes field reports large donations correspondence in honor of donations role of nonprofits understanding giving trends donation history capital campaign letter Crowdfunding Campaign grassroots campaign Facebook Snow Birds community broadcasting data analysis user interface charity golf tournaments support Cloud office FundRaiser Basic FundRaiser Hosted Network for Good motivation giving history advanced tab technical support new version appeal letters End of Year Letters welcome packet

Connect With Us

  800-880-3454 ext 3
  Email Us
  Request More Information
  Monday-Friday
      8:30AM-5:30PM CST

Customer Portal Login Form

User Name:
Password:

If you are not sure about your Customer User Name, please call 800-543-4131 and we will be able to help you.

Or you have lost your password, Request Password