SofTrek Introducing Next Generation Fundraising Software
New user interface, intuitive tools, and full integration with PledgeMaker provide better access to summary and high-level information in your donor database.
PledgeMaker offers nonprofit organizations comprehensive donor management solutions for all of their fundraising needs including major and planned giving, direct and interactive marketing, event management, reporting, and more. Now there’s a new way to access your donor information - ClearView for PledgeMakerTM.
The upcoming product release from SofTrek Corporation, ClearView for PledgeMaker, features a new navigation structure, summary dashboards, automatic reminders, and improved functionality including enhanced search capabilities.
“ClearView offers the same robust fundraising capabilities as PledgeMaker with enhanced functionalities and a new user interface,” said Bob Girardi, SofTrek’s vice president of marketing and sales. “We are eager to debut this powerful new fundraising tool to the nonprofit community.”
ClearView is the result of product and market research as well as input from nonprofit client organizations and consultants. The version 1.0 release focuses primarily on providing dashboard views for database users such as executive directors and major gift officers who require summary and high-level donor information without formal training.
“Executives and major gift officers represent a significant segment of users who were previously unable to access their donor database or effectively use the information collected by their development staff. ClearView provides users with an incredibly easy way to access and use donor information already in PledgeMaker,” said Girardi.
ClearView features an intuitive and customizable interface that makes it easy to learn and use. Dashboards grant immediate access to summary donor reporting and enhanced search allows for quickly locating donor records with limited information. In addition, ClearView is fully integrated with PledgeMaker as well as a variety of commonly used tools including calendars, Microsoft Excel, and Google Maps. The version 1.0 release of ClearView for PledgeMaker is scheduled for June 2008.
To learn more about ClearView for PledgeMaker or to schedule a product demo, please contact Sales at 800.442.9211 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
SofTrek's 2008 Users’ Conference News and Information
SofTrek’s 2008 Users’ Conference will be held Sunday, July 27 through Wednesday, July 30 at the state-of-the-art Conference Center Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls, New York.
SofTrek is planning some interesting and informative sessions that focus on a range of topics. This year’s session highlights include: Business Objects Web Intelligence; tips and tricks for using PledgeMaker; setup and implementation of ClearView for PledgeMaker; and roundtable discussions about how PledgeMaker is used in different nonprofit settings. Based on the positive feedback after last year’s client user case study presentations, select users are again being invited to present organizational and topical case studies.
SofTrek will also host several evening activities throughout the conference. The conference will kickoff with a themed Sunday night welcome dinner. Entertainment will also be provided on Monday and Tuesday following the sessions. The event registration site will be updated frequently with session details and evening entertainment information. Please be sure to visit the site for the latest information.
Registration for the conference is now open. The registration schedule and rates are as follows:
Early Bird (until May 16) $695
Regular (May 17-July 11) $795
Late (after July 12) $895
Please note that space for certain sessions and activities is both limited and expected to fill quickly. Interested parties are encouraged to register early in order to ensure the availability of all preferences.
Conference lodging accommodations will be provided by the Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls, New York. This recently renovated upscale hotel is conveniently located across the street from the Conference Center Niagara Falls. Information about guest rooms and rates for advanced booking can be found on the conference registration website: https://www.regonline.com/softrekusersconference.
Register Online for the Upcoming SofTrek Users' Conference
SofTrek has launched an event registration website for the 2008 Users’ Conference. The site has all of the details about this year’s conference including the session schedule and hotel information. The site is updated frequently with additional information about sessions and evening activities as it becomes available.
All registrations should be completed online through the conference website. During the registration process attendees may select sessions of interest, signup for evening activities, and specify any dietary preferences. Registrants may also reserve their seats for Advanced Business Objects class being held at the SofTrek facility on Thursday, July 31. Once you have registered online, you will be able to sign into the site and modify your session selections or evening activities preferences.
To access the conference registration site, visit https://regonline.com/softrekusersconference. For more information about the conference or if you need assistance with the registration site, contact Kylie Poole, conference coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Should Nonprofits Use Social Networking Sites for Prospecting?
Social networking, or using the internet to connect with friends, businesses, and other individuals, is not just a fad - it has quickly become a permanent part of online activity.
Some social networking sites offer tools to attract donors to nonprofit organizations. These countless sites can encourage collaboration, create cohesion, and keep members and volunteers connected to the nonprofit organization and its events and mission.
Online networks can facilitate communities through chats, bulletin boards, and messaging which allow members to discuss and debate important issues. Sites that bring together groups of like-minded indivuals can also be a venue for cultivating prospective supporters or learning more about existing donors.
However, there is much debate about the ethics of nonprofits using social networking sites to research current constituents, recruit prospective supporters, and solicit donations. In addition, it is important to note that social networking sites often require members to accept user agreements, the terms of which typically prohibit the use of these sites for financial gain.
While social networking sites and technologies can potentially serve as a vehicle to strengthen and grow a nonprofit organization’s donor base, it is crucial to do due diligence in order to decide whether social networking sites are an option for your organization.
For more information about ethical concerns for nonprofit organizations, visit www.ethics.org and www.501cfiles.com/category/ethics.
(Sources: DMA Nonprofit Federation Journal; charitychannel.com; techsoup.org; wsj.com)
Help Donors Find (and Support) You Online
People are increasingly turning to search engines in order to locate information on the internet. Make sure you aren’t missing out on opportunities to raise awareness about your organization and to reach potential donors. Take steps to get your website included in the top rankings of major search engines.
Keywords: Keywords help search engines organize all of the information available on the internet. Understand the relevant keywords which best represent your organization and structure your website optimization efforts around these keywords.
Content: Build a content-rich site full of information that attracts interest from your target audience. Update information on a regular basis and implement tools to engage visitors and receive feedback.
Interlinking: Structure navigation of your site so access to other pages is within a few clicks.
Links: Have inbound links from relevant third-party sites such as partners, affiliates, and appropriate directory listings.
Graphics: Use relevant keywords or phrases in ALT tags to label images on your site.
Metadata: Use descriptions and links to explain what pages are about. Customize meta information for each page on your site.
Write for people: Ranking with search engines is important, but it should not drive your message. Using inappropriate keywords and links will decrease your rankings over time and leave visitors confused about your organization. Your website should educate, engage, and compel visitors to take action.
(Sources: fundraisingsuccessmag.com; nptimes.com)
News & Notes
Online Support Site
Are you taking advantage of SofTrek’s online client support site? This convenient tool lets you report and monitor your organization’s support issues via the internet. To start using online support or to schedule a demonstration to learn more, contact Client Services at 800.442.9211 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
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.
Contact Us
Are you interested in learning more about general fundraising trends? Is there a specific fundraising concept about which you would like to know more? Would you like to read about these or other topics in eInsights? Please let us know. Send your suggestions, comments, and questions to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Links and Resources
The Grantsmanship Center
The site provides training in grantsmanship and proposal writing for nonprofit organizations. Find grant source information and announcements, view proposal writing guidelines and models, or read current and archived issues of the online magazine.
Philanthropy News Digest
The digest contains summaries of original articles, press and news releases, grantmaker websites, and other resources related to philanthropy. The site has a digest archive, funding opportunities, a guide to current philanthropy issues, newsmaker interviews, book and website reviews, a conference calendar, and a message board.
Nonprofit Charitable Organizations
The mini-site is a guide to resources and information about nonprofit organizations, foundations, fundraising, technology, educational opportunities, jobs, and more. Find useful links, search feature archives, participate in chats, post a resume, or register to receive the enewsletter.
Download.com
The site, hosted by CNET, serves as a virtual warehouse for all kinds of software and shareware. Browse the site’s most popular and top-rated downloads, preview new releases, or subscribe to the editor’s download blog for advice, news, and wisdom.
"Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." - David Lloyd George
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
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