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

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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.

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Transitioning from FundRaiser Basic to Spark: Donor Codes

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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.

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My Experience: Moving from FundRaiser Basic to Spark

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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--

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Moving up the Donor Management Ladder

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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. 

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

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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.

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

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