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
2827 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
2732 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
3307 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
2514 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
3043 Hits
Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
mode code user interface vacation holiday letters donor profile building donor relationships correspondance GoFundMe project Importing Data Excel campaign management community broadcasting donor advised funds pictures charity golf tournaments the Ask Facebook campaign Alternative Addresses donor slip social media endowment campaign Congratulations direct mail customer portal membersip benefits flash sales donor source happiness updates letter how-to videos In-Kind gifts donor engagement annual campaign understanding giving trends entering auction gifts volunteering government grants giving levels new nonprofit increasing giving amounts Donor Portal new donors new leadership gift entry operational costs Resiliency word processor gift notes field membership benefits upgrading donors small donations holiday giving transparency New Year pledges welcome packet ROI donor retention spreadsheets arts National Change of Address data analysis personalizing letters case study online donations reports donor contact information on site training look and feel tax summary letters data entry End of Year Letters Thank You targeted mailings membership programs giving history support user spotlights Task List anonymous donors new features Codes alumni adding personal notes to letters salutation merge notes donor attrition rate planned giving ticketsales passwords donor targeting texting donors new version #GivingTuesday general training tip merge fields volunteers tribute gifts Network for Good major gift prospects donor loyalty recurring gifts custom page donor preferences FundRaiser Spark prospects Facebook Groupings banquet FundRaiser Basic Company culture tech tip donor prospects thank you letters fundraising large donations event management backing up data holiday segmenting donors mission driven operating systems capital campaign FundRaiser Hosted customer service donor Personalizing upgrade repeat donors Tickles Volunteer module budget announcements in honor of donations appeal board members accounting software overview features community arts nonprofits role of nonprofits corporate sponsors Constant Contact Thanksgiving premiums donor attrition letter templates phoning donors annual maintenance plan data conversion NCOA processing product news Snow Birds email planning ticket sales how to handle auction gifts legacy giving follow up foundations donor relations change of address updating security campaign donor retention rate Cloud GivingTuesday Reporting to IRS office nonprofit fundraising add ons mailing solicitors moves management lapsed donor memorial giving publicity materials communications grants brick campaign donation history fundraising letters motivation grassroots campaign Crowdfunding Campaign appeal letters auction donor recognition training community supported gardens disaster relief technical support gift acceptance policy monthly giving animal rescue SYBUNTS major donors online donations correspondence spare fields raffle importing csv motivation code Reminders advanced tab LYBUNTS password protection development director PayPal relationship tracking

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