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.

What is NCOA processing?

Mary Lenker
69

One of the more disappointing parts of sending out correspondence to donors is the returned mail. Inevitably, no matter how up to date an organization thinks its database is, some envelopes will be returned. The loss in resources (time, paper and envelopes) not to mention money can be disheartening and make an organization wonder if sending an appeal letter campaign is worth it. Although these expenses are considered when thinking about a campaign, wouldn’t it be nice to pre-screen your addresses for any changes before you mailed your letters?

Enter NCOA processing.

Continue reading
Tags:
fundraising letters mailing NCOA processing
Tweet
Non-Profit Fundraising Tips
758 Hits

Short take: non-traditional uses for the alternate address field

Mary Lenker
AltAddresses

FundRaiser Software has the capability to not just hold unlimited alternate addresses, but also code them based on the type of address. Depending on the choices selected (date range or specific code) FundRaiser will then send to the alternate address instead of the main address on the record. Alternate addresses also have a few additional uses:

  1. Store old addresses
    When a donor updates an address, keep the old one on file so you don't lose it. Copy the current address to the alternate address space. It will be marked inactive, so you can keep the address on file just in case it's needed.
  2. Send mail to a power of attorney or another location permanently
    There may be times that you need to send correspondence to someone else, such as a power of attorney or even a family foundation's address. Using the alternate address field you can keep the donor's original address on file, while sending correspondence to another location.
  3. Keep an alternate address "just in case"
    For donors without a certain time for their vacation or summer home, or who may want some correspondence sent to a business address, but not all of it, then using the alternate address field is the perfect way to keep track of this information. Keeping the addresses coded correctly will ensure mail goes to the appropriate places.

If you have any questions about working with FundRaiser to manage your addresses: 

  • Sign up for the live FundRaiser Overview webinar. You can see the complete webinar schedule on the training calendar for the current month.  
  • Contact support at 800-543-4131 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Continue reading
Tags:
Alternative Addresses NCOA processing National Change of Address
Tweet
Trainers Blog
1801 Hits

5 Ways to Manage Address Changes for a Donors on the Move with your FundRaiser Database

Trainer's Blog
AddressChang_20171213-185615_1

What percentage of your donors can you afford to lose?

According to the US Census Bureau, over 11.2% of the population will move during the year, and while this figure is at an all time low, it still represents a significant number of changes that will, most likely, occur in your donor database as well.  If you rely on your donors to inform you of their address changes, you will no doubt lose contact with many of them. There are a few ways to take positive action on your own to keep in touch and retain donors who move without notice, however. These include:  3 features available in FundRaiser Spark, Select, and Professional; 1 additional feature available in Select and Professional; and 1 other feature exclusive to Professional.

Continue reading
Tags:
Snow Birds Alternative Addresses NCOA processing
Tweet
Trainers Blog
2123 Hits

Reach More Donors with NCOA Processing

Mary Lenker
Reach More Donors with NCOA Processing
b2ap3_thumbnail_NCOAProcessing-ScreenShot.jpg

One of the most frustrating experiences as a nonprofit is to send out a carefully crafted appeal letter only to have several envelopes be returned as unable to be delivered by the post office. Not only have you spent postage and used paper and time to send the letters, but your message won’t reach your donors. How do you prevent this from happening?

NCOA, or National Change of Address, is a United States Post Office program designed to prevent non-deliverable mail. The USPS maintains a database of all permanent address changes within the past three years by people who have completed change of address cards. When you export your database and use a USPS licensed processor, they will run your donors’ addresses through this program and provide you with information such as a changed address, the complete ZIP+4 zip code, which helps with mail processing, and which addresses are not valid without any further information. When you merge the received data back into your database, it will be updated and your donors coded appropriately to help you better manage your mailings.

Continue reading
Tags:
National Change of Address change of address updating NCOA processing
Tweet
Tech Blog
3654 Hits
Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
donor retention solicitors merge notes legacy giving upgrade happiness National Change of Address appeal disaster relief how-to videos tribute gifts government grants Facebook ticketsales grants PayPal reports donor engagement moves management foundations communications donor recognition monthly giving welcome packet email major gift prospects in honor of donations phoning donors flash sales campaign custom page transparency add ons Donor Portal password protection endowment campaign major donors user spotlights general auction online donations Facebook campaign banquet planned giving Volunteer module new donors development director donor targeting case study appeal letters operational costs gift notes field Excel motivation technical support letter templates data analysis user interface pledges alumni passwords gift acceptance policy overview building donor relationships premiums direct mail recurring gifts grassroots campaign membersip benefits customer service look and feel campaign management annual maintenance plan texting donors In-Kind gifts data conversion community supported gardens customer portal personalizing letters donor LYBUNTS budget salutation annual campaign event management online donations adding personal notes to letters ROI holiday letters Thank You spreadsheets Personalizing corporate sponsors charity golf tournaments holiday giving mailing large donations role of nonprofits advanced tab follow up features gift entry segmenting donors donor relations mission driven new version FundRaiser Spark lapsed donor Task List Codes pictures fundraising targeted mailings New Year donor contact information membership programs word processor nonprofit fundraising animal rescue importing csv donor advised funds Thanksgiving new nonprofit Reporting to IRS GoFundMe project updates Tickles Snow Birds spare fields backing up data donor prospects motivation code change of address updating Constant Contact letter increasing giving amounts Reminders Company culture SYBUNTS holiday new leadership volunteering membership benefits giving history repeat donors board members correspondence Resiliency fundraising letters mode code training accounting software NCOA processing donor slip security on site training donation history how to handle auction gifts social media vacation community arts nonprofits Alternative Addresses new features thank you letters donor attrition #GivingTuesday Congratulations ticket sales Network for Good donor profile Groupings community broadcasting product news donor loyalty GivingTuesday understanding giving trends relationship tracking arts tech tip announcements Crowdfunding Campaign End of Year Letters Cloud anonymous donors brick campaign volunteers office planning Importing Data giving levels FundRaiser Basic small donations donor retention rate entering auction gifts upgrading donors merge fields raffle publicity materials donor attrition rate support data entry training tip operating systems tax summary letters donor preferences FundRaiser Hosted correspondance memorial giving capital campaign prospects the Ask donor source

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