October 2008 Newsletter
Nonprofit Neighborhood
Recent Product Enhancements
Pledge Search Functionality
There have been some changes to The Databank's Pledge Search Functionality. One field has been renamed and some new options have been added to make this feature easier than ever to use. Read more
Downloading Custom Roster Reports
You can now download custom roster reports from your Databank. When defining these reports there are new options to specify how you want the report to be outputted. Read more
vCard Support
vCard support has been added to The Databank. This allows users to export member contact information from their Databank to their personal address book. Read more
New Advocacy Software Module User Guide Now Available
As we mentioned last month, we've recently made a significant upgrade to our Advocacy Software Module. To help clients get the most out of the new Advocacy Software Module features, we encourage you to sign up for the next Advocacy Software Module training session on January 21, 2009. If you need help in the meantime, we have updated the Advocacy Software Module user guide, which you can access right from your Databank under Help --> User Guides. Please contact your account manager if you have questions or concerns.
Update to Wellstone Mental Health Parity Bill Success Story
Back in March 2008, we wrote a Success Story on Wellstone Action! and their effort over the years to help get the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Parity Bill passed. On October 2, 2008, Congress finally passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Read the full story here.
Congratulations to Transit Partners Coalition
Transit Partners was the winner of the 2008 Minnesota Nonprofit Awards for Advocacy at this year's Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference in St. Paul, MN. Congrats to the following clients who are part of the Transit Partners coalition:
- Alliance for Metropolitan Stability
- Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
- Minnesota Environmental Partnership
- Minnesota Senior Federation
- Transit for Livable Communities
Reminder: New US Postal Service Mail Requirements Go Into Effect This November
We mentioned this back in August, but since it is fast approaching, we thought we would remind you once again. If your organization sends bulk mail, the change in the USPS Move Update Standard will affect you starting November 23, 2008.
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Move Updates will be required within 95 days prior to the date of mailing.
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It applies to presorted first class and standard mail.
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Many nonprofit mailings, that were previously exempt, will now be required to follow this standard.
thedatabank's NCOA (National Change of Address) service meets the new Move Update standard, provided you have it completed within 95 days of mailing. We check your data against the USPS change of address records, and provide updates when available. Do it on a quarterly schedule, and you have continuous compliance. We offer NCOA service at the low rate of $3.25/thousand ($100 minimum) and a small additional charge may apply for updating your Databank with the new addresses. This service captures address changes in the past 18 months.
If you are interested in scheduling quarterly NCOA service at a reduced rate, please contact your account manager or email info@thedatabank.com .
New Client
Parental Rights - This organization is working on a constitutional amendment that would defend the rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children. Parental Rights will be using the Fundraising Software Module, eMarketing Software Module, and Volunteer Management Software Module of The Databank to manage relationships with their core supporters. They will also use a unique setup to track petition signers in a large separate database
Reflecting on a Decade
Well, this is it. For the last year I've been writing about the first 10 years of thedatabank. The beginning of November will mark 10 years of organizations using the Databank. It's appropriate that next month will also be the 3 rd presidential election since thedatabank began. Perhaps nothing better illustrates the evolution of thedatabank than our work in politics and voter education.
In 2000, thedatabank worked with a couple of local campaigns in state races. In 2004, we worked with a couple dozen campaigns in several states, and National Voice across the country. Now in 2008, we are working with hundreds of organizations across the country, organizations that are out in our communities educating voters about important issues in this election. While the economy has taken hold of the current debate, there are fundamental issues in this election of human rights and social justice, the environment and education that will be impact our lives far beyond the current economic crisis. As someone who has seen my share of personal political heroes go down in defeat, I look at this election with tempered optimism. However, when I look at what our clients are doing to make their communities better, healthier, more sustainable, more just places to live, I am renewed with optimism. The emerging curmudgeon in me wants to say that this election doesn't matter. Whoever is elected won't make a difference. The system is so messed up one person can't change things. At the same time, the optimist in me thinks maybe this time, maybe this one will make all of the difference. Whatever the result, I do know that thedatabank will be here for the next 10 years helping you make the world a better place.
Heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported thedatabank for the last 10 years.
Peace & Best Wishes - Chris
Meet the Staff
Chris Hanson, CEO
At thedatabank since: 1998
What he likes best about his job: There are 2 things that I like best about my job. 1. Being able to help so many organizations and good, caring people make our world a better place. 2. Having the opportunity to work with and learn from the outstanding staff here at thedatabank.
What he does in his spare time: I have a hobby of going back to school every 10 years or so and getting a degree. For the last 3 years I have been working on a PhD in Organization Development from the University of Minnesota. I have about 1-2 years to go. I play hockey in a 50+ league one night a week, which requires 6 days of intensive rehab after each game. I also enjoying reading books on political history and current events, and science fiction/fantasy.
Famous person he would like to have lunch with: Without a doubt it would be John Lennon. He was a person of incredible talent, passion, conviction and humor. He was able to speak to the fundamental goodness of people, the imperfections of our world, and the need to enjoy life all at the same time. Remarkable.
Tip du Jour
Managing Subscriptions in Your Databank
We have created a series of tutorials to help you manage subscriptions and publications in your Databank. These tutorials can be played on demand and were designed to supplement our live trainings. The tutorials are on:
Subscriptions: Through Your Subscriber's Eyes
Managing Subscriptions with your Databank
Subscription Management: Setting up Your Publications
If you have the e-Marketing Software Module and would like Subscription Management added to your system, simply send us a Support Request from your Databank asking us to turn it on.
Karen's Blog
6 Concerns for Tough Times
Earlier this month at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits conference, I spoke with many people who are deeply concerned about how the economy will affect their organizations' funding and the people they serve. My prediction is that these 6 things will become increasingly important in the year to come:
1.Ensuring that individuals continue to support you with their donations - even increasing their giving to meet increasing needs. Detailed tracking of your donors' histories and interests helps you be more strategic and more responsive. Consider adding some customized major donor tracking to your Databank, to note details and followup tasks.
2. Diligence about grant writing and compliance, so you don't miss any opportunties. Our new Grant Management package helps you track applications and deadlines right in your Databank.
3. Organizing and inspiring people to advocate for the people or cause you serve. Our upgraded Advocacy Software Module, being rolled out this month, gives you an even more sophisticated way to get people in touch with policy makers.
4. Building strong relationships with your volunteers and allies so they remain loyal to you, even during difficult times when other concerns are vying for their attention. Frequent, personalized emails, sent through PowerMail, tell a vivid story and keep your mission in the minds and hearts of your supporters.
5. Paying more attention to tools like your Databank , to make sure you are getting the most out of that investment. Ask your account manager to make some suggestions or refer you to one of our consultant partners. And make sure to take advantage of our live trainings and online tutorials.
6. Considering the financial stability of vendors you rely on. thedatabank was the first company to offer a web-based CRM for nonprofits, and sometimes I wonder if we will be the last one standing! We're feeling the pinch just like everyone, but after ten years we are still following a smart business strategy that keeps us profitable and stable.
After much scrutiny in the last decade, the nonprofit sector has a chance to shine, by tapping into the compassionate awakening that some say is occurring. Doing so requires not only vision, but also attention to the practical details.
Karen
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