Convio’s New, Free Guide Helps Nonprofits Launch or Step Up Online Fundraising Programs Downloadable

Guide Includes Pointers on Online Fundraising Basics, Measuring a Campaign’s Effectiveness; Plus, Fundraising Tips from Director at Top Consulting Firm

AUSTIN, TEXAS (Sept. 30, 2004) — Convio, Inc. — the leading provider of software and services to help nonprofits use the Internet for building constituent relationships and driving support — today announced the release of its new, free guide to help nonprofits launch online fundraising programs or step up existing initiatives to raise money over the Internet.

“Using the Internet to Raise Funds and Build Donor Relationships: Tools, Tips and Techniques for Boosting Donations” is the latest in Convio’s ongoing series of free publications to help nonprofits optimize use of the Internet for fundraising, marketing, advocacy, event participation and more. The updated fundraising guide is a rich informational resource for nonprofit professionals who want to learn about the fundamentals of online fundraising, conduct programs to develop strong online relationships with constituents, and execute even more effective fundraising campaigns. To download the guide, please visit http://www.convio.com/fundraising_guide.

Convio is releasing the fundraising guide at a time when ePhilanthropy is taking off. According to the most recent annual survey by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, online giving — measured by dollars contributed online — surged in 2003, increasing by 48 percent compared with 2002. Convio data suggests the same upward trend: Convio clients collectively raised $40 million in online donations using Convio software in 2003, compared with $3.1 million for 2002. Convio estimates that 2004 online donations for its clients will reach approximately $75 million.

Convio’s fundraising guide details best practices for using the Internet to:

Build an email file and begin communicating online regularly with constituents to develop e-relationships;

• Learn what motivates donors by asking them about their interests and tracking their online behavior;
• Segment email lists to target constituents based on their interests;
• Efficiently cross-market to constituents to convert non-donors (e.g., online advocates) to donors;
• Create effective fundraising campaigns, including campaigns consisting of multi-phased email communications and appeals;
• Help drive offline giving and cultivate major donors; and
• Reduce communication and fundraising costs.

Additionally, the guide includes online fundraising success stories from a wide range of nonprofit organizations, among them:

• Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, which used online volunteer fundraising for its annual RACE Against Breast Cancer fundraiser, gives its volunteers Internet tools for setting up their own fundraising pages and sending email solicitations to friends and family. For its 2004 RACE, the organization raised more than $1 million online a significant portion of the more than $2.75 million raised from all sources for the event.
• Jewish National Fund raised $75,000 online within 72 hours after the space shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. The organization quickly set up an online campaign to accept donations in memory of the first Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon, who was aboard the aircraft when it exploded.
• Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh boosted its member renewals and revenue through regular, personalized email communications (including email newsletters and other communications) based on each constituent's interests. In 2003, the organization raised $121,000 online in approximately 12-months by allowing new members to join the organization online and existing members to renew their membership online.

“As more people move online and more organizations successfully incorporate the Internet into their fundraising strategies, we are learning more about what works best and we want to share that knowledge with everyone in the nonprofit sector,” said Gene Austin, CEO of Convio. “Convio is committed to helping nonprofit organizations learn about and utilize best practices to get the most out of today’s advanced online tools.”

The guide also features an article titled “Ten Tips for Successful Online Fundraising,” written by Brian Walsh, associate director, Fundraising Division, Changing Our World, Inc. Changing Our World is one of the leading philanthropic services companies in the world, providing tailored fundraising and philanthropy solutions to a broad range of nonprofit and corporate clients. Clients include New York University, American Medical Association, Beth Israel Medical Center, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and National Urban League.

About Convio, Inc.

Convio is the leading provider of software and services that help nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions use the Internet to build strong constituent relationships to drive support and participation. Convio has online solutions for fundraising and membership, advocacy, special events, volunteer fundraising, Web site management and email communications. All solutions include the Constituent360™ platform, a sophisticated, online marketing database that centralizes constituent data and integrates with offline databases. This gives organizations a unified view of constituent interests and motivations — key for personalized and targeted outreach and communications. Convio also provides services and consulting to help organizations achieve success online.

In addition to Y-ME, Jewish National Fund and Carnegie Museums, Convio's clients include the American Diabetes Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, AVON Foundation, Brady Campaign United with the Million Mom March, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Chicago Public Radio, Easter Seals, Farm Aid, Georgetown University, KCET Community Television of Southern California, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Trust For Historic Preservation and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, please visit www.convio.com.

Whitney Wood Otstott
Corporate Communications Manager
Convio, Inc.
512-652-2632
wotstott@convio.com