West Plains Software Firm Expands Horizons, Helps Nonprofits Raise Funds
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - From a small idea a mighty business can grow.
Some 20 years ago Gene Weinbeck found himself running a one-man computer consulting and software firm in West Plains, Mo. Among his clients at the time was a local politician who needed a custom-designed software package for his election campaign. That package had to include a component to track donations.
From that initial foray into the world of fundraising, Weinbeck has built a company dedicated to the design and production of computer software aimed at solving the fund-raising challenges of a global list of nonprofit clients.
Over the past two decades Weinbeck's business has evolved to meet the demands of his customers. He initially mixed fund-raising software creation with his computer consulting and custom software development business.
By 1993, he converted the company's focus exclusively to the fundraising needs of his clients, eventually developing a line of computer software to address those needs. This adjustment in entrepreneurial direction gave birth to the firm's name, FundRaiser Software.
Since then, FundRaiser Software has expanded its products and services. Growth has led to a line of three increasingly sophisticated software packages and to the expansion of the company's sales and service workforce from one to 12.
The growth in personnel allows FundRaiser Software to maintain Weinbeck's customer-friendly approach to service. "It has always been my belief that prompt, friendly and expert technical support is vital to the users of any software, and it has been my intention from the beginning to supply just that to my customers," he said.
Weinbeck's computer savvy has taken the company a great distance; however, early in the evolution to FundRaiser Software's current success, he knew he needed advice from business experts. He found those experts at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU) in Springfield and then in West Plains when that center opened in 1998.
Over the past 15 years, Weinbeck has looked to the SBDC for help on a variety of business challenges, according to Lyle Wright, coordinator of the SBDC office at SMSU's satellite center in West Plains. Weinbeck sought help with financial projections and a business plan. He needed advice on marketing and sales. Together he and Wright explored the potential of an employee stock ownership plan.
"The SBDC has been able to help this client grow by providing solid counseling and select services every step of the way he expanded," Wright said. "The partnership of small business and the SBDC resulted in improved economic health through increased employment, additional capital invested in the community, and another successful small business to anchor the fabric of rural America."
And what does the leader of FundRaiser Software think of the advice he has received from the SBDCs? "Lyle Wright has been able to direct us to the resources that provided information to meet our specific needs, and help us understand and implement several best-business practices," Weinbeck said. "Having this type of individual and personal resource available locally has been an invaluable asset to us."
Because of Weinbeck's success, FundRaiser Software received an award and a legislative resolution at a Feb. 10 event at the state capitol in Jefferson City. At the event - the first Client Showcase hosted by the Columbia-based Missouri SBDC - representatives of FundRaiser Software and 24 other outstanding Missouri companies met with legislators to discuss their products and services and to receive recognition for their contributions to the economic development of the state of Missouri.
For more information on the services of the SBDC program, call Lyle Wright in West Plains at 417-255-7966 or e-mail him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or contact Jane Cargill in Springfield at 417-836-5685 or e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..