SofTrek Partners with PGCalc for Planned Giving Tools
SofTrek has formed a partnership with PGCalc, a premier provider of planned giving software tools and services within the nonprofit marketplace.
PGCalc has expertise in the area of planned giving, and its software offerings will complement and serve as an extension to the prospect research, proposal tracking, and contact management features being developed in ClearView for PledgeMaker.
Integration with PGCalc’s software tools and services has already begun in the current version of PledgeMaker. In version 4.5.2, a utility was introduced which allows users to export and send files to PGCalc for screening in their BatchCalc product.
Additional features in ClearView will include: the BatchCalc export feature which already exists in the current version of PledgeMaker; integration that allows files generated by PGCalc to be stored in ClearView prospect records to grant easy access; and the ability to launch PGCalc programs from within the planned giving screens of ClearView to improve workflow.
ClearView for PledgeMaker is the result of product and market research as well as input from nonprofit client organizations and consultants. The goal is to maximize effective use of the donor management software system for all users. ClearView capabilities will be released as they are developed.
To learn more about planned giving capabilities and tools in PledgeMaker and ClearView for PledgeMaker, please contact SofTrek at 800.442.9211 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Subcommittees Being Formed for ClearView
As development on ClearView for PledgeMaker continues, SofTrek is forming subcommittees to generate client input on specific functional areas.
The Planned Giving subcommittee, chaired by Pamela Butler of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, recently kicked off its meetings. Eighteen members from nine client organizations participate on bi-weekly conference calls to discuss and prioritize requirements for the planned giving feature of ClearView.
The next area of focus will be Reporting, and the subcommittee will be chaired by Bernie McCormick of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Subcommittee work is expected to get underway in the coming months and participants are being sought.
Additional subcommittees will be formed as needed focusing on functional areas such as gift summary, event management, membership management, campaign management, volunteer management, gift management and batch entry, and inventory/order entry.
If you or members of your organization are interested in participating on subcommittees, contact Sharon Corner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
SofTrek Establishes Improved Process for Receiving and Reviewing Client Product Ideas
At SofTrek, we realize that our clients are our best resource for new ideas and input toward improving our PledgeMaker donor management solution. We recently started an initiative meant to update our process for collecting and using your ideas related to product enhancements.
The initiative came as a direct result of suggestions received during our 2008 Users’ Conference which was held this past July. Several attendees requested an improved way to submit their product ideas and suggestions to the SofTrek team.
SofTrek took those requests seriously and immediately following the conference established a new method for collecting product ideas from our client users. Clients can now submit all of their product-related input directly to SofTrek by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The goal of this initiative is to provide a convenient vehicle for our clients to submit their product enhancement ideas that will get channeled into our software development process. The SofTrek team reviews all incoming suggestions and then evaluates them for potential use in future releases of our PledgeMaker donor management software.
If you have suggestions for enhancing the ways in which you and/or your organization use our donor management solution, please email your input to the SofTrek team at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Highlights from SofTrek's 2008 Users' Conference
SofTrek recently hosted its annual Users’ Conference. More than 70 PledgeMaker users gathered in Niagara Falls, N.Y. for this year’s event.
Attendees participated in educational sessions on a variety of business and technical topics such as recent PledgeMaker enhancements, practical use of PledgeMaker capabilities, standard reports and fundraising strategies, as well as security and PCI compliance.
Several guest speakers were on hand to discuss industry topics, trends, and technologies. Aurora Consulting Group presented best practices for communicating with a purpose through a website. Principals from Think First Serve, Inc. led a creative workshop on innovation, concepts, and tools for helping nonprofit professionals reach their organizational goals. Jacobson Consulting Applications, Inc. explored ways to use Business Intelligence to extract data from PledgeMaker into meaningful reports as well as to perform data analysis for better decision-making. In addition, representatives from Grizzard were available to discuss benchmarks and current trends in philanthropy.
This year, attendees also had an opportunity to learn how fellow PledgeMaker users make the system work for them. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute presented a case study detailing their organization’s effective use of PledgeMaker’s Contact and Tracking modules. Catholic Relief Services discussed their process for successfully managing a sustainer program with PledgeMaker.
We are already starting to plan for our event in 2009. If you have ideas for session topics or ways in which we can improve the conference, please contact Kylie Poole at 800.442.9211 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Combine All of Your Marketing Efforts
Your organization likely solicits support from donors through a variety of sources - direct mail, email, telephone, website, etc. So which sources work best? A combination!
Nonprofits are increasingly relying on a multi-channel approach to fundraising. Using several vehicles for appeals to donors typically yields greater response rates. Research suggests that a donor who gives through multiple channels is two to three times more valuable than a donor who only gives through a single source.
The success of a multi-channel fundraising strategy includes several key elements.
A plan of action. Identify your goals and expected outcomes. Select strategic partners and vendors. Plan each phase of your strategy.
Intelligent execution. Learn, analyze, and refine your strategy based on results of the initial phase. Timing of appeals is important; develop timelines for follow-up phases accordingly.
Priorities. Improve online communication with your target audiences by building email lists and increasing traffic to your website.
Combining offline and online activities. Keep your branding, messaging, and positioning consistent among all forms of communication. Use web links in direct mail pieces and create a unique page for the online donation form. Track how donors find the page by embedding source code into the links.
Remember, it pays to use a multi-channel approach and provide donors several ways to contribute to your organization.
Tip: Use PledgeMaker to combine your multi-channel fundraising efforts.
(Sources: Direct Marketing Association; FundRaising Success Magazine; The NonProfit Times)
Best Practices for Online Marketing
Given the current economic situation, rising costs, and tighter regulations on postal fundraising, online marketing is rapidly becoming essential for nonprofits organizations. In fact, according to the Direct Marketing Association, online marketing still has an extremely high return on investment. With that in mind, here are a few key strategies for creating more effective online programs.
Ensure your website makes a good impression.Prospective donors are likely to visit your website before making a gift. Make sure your website leaves them with a good first impression.
Collect email addresses of active donors.Communicate online with your donors to enhance their value and create loyalty to your organization and its causes.
Make each and every communication count.Draft emails with your donors in mind. Use a series of email appeals with compelling content to boost response rates. Suppress those who respond to earlier appeals in the series.
Inspire donors to support your mission. Provide value to your donors. Let them know how funds - and their gifts - are spent.
Empower volunteers. Raise money through online peer-to-peer fundraising software tools.
Encourage donors to give monthly. The lifetime value of monthly donors is much higher than single-gift donors. Encourage donors to support your organization’s causes each and every month.
Tip: PledgeMaker’s iForms+ allows you to accept donations via your websiteforts.
(Sources: Direct Marketing Association; The NonProfit Times; workz.com)
News & Notes
Send Your Product Ideas
We know you have ideas for enhancing our PledgeMaker donor management solution. Send all of your product suggestions to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. We review all incoming ideas and evaluate them for potential use in future releases. Keep your product ideas coming!
Tradeshow Schedule
SofTrek participates in various nonprofit industry tradeshows and conferences. Tradeshows are a great opportunity to meet with SofTrek representatives, discuss your organization's fundraising needs, and find out about new products and solutions. Stop by the SofTrek booth for more information. To get a complete list of industry tradeshows at which SofTrek will be represented, please visit www.softrek.com
What's On Your Mind?
Is there a fundraising topic or trend about which you would like to know more? Is there a particular article you would like to read about in Insights? Do you have any general comments about the newsletter or something that was featured in it? Please let us know what’s on your mind by sending us an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Links and Resources
Charity Village
Locate all types of resources for nonprofit professionals, donors, and volunteers. Search the directory of annotated links to Canadian charities, get career advancement and assessment tools, and find educational and professional development opportunities.
GuideStar
Find news and articles about the nonprofit sector, search the online marketplace to find requests for donations, volunteers, or jobs, and access additional resources. The site also offers a searchable database of U.S. nonprofit organizations.
ARNOVA
Gain access to the community of scholars and nonprofit leaders dedicated to fostering the creation, application, and dissemination of research on voluntary action, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy. Find information on conferences, read publications and news, and link to other resources on the web..
Quality 990
The site is dedicated to improving the quality of financial reporting in the nonprofit sector. Locate resources to assist with filing IRS Form 990, join a Nonprofit Accountability Collaborative, and find comprehensive guides and links to information for help in understanding the form and rules to its disclosure.
"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." - Nelson Henderson
Visit Us Online:
www.softrek.com
Contact Us:
800.442.9211
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Insights
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sales
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Client Support
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Product Ideas
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
To unsubscribe, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , subject "unsubscribe."
Copyright © 2008 SofTrek Corporation