May/June 2005

Maximizing E-relationships for Better Fundraising and More

by Gene Austin, Chief Executive Officer, Convio

Every nonprofit organization understands the importance of constituents. They give time and money to help keep the organization going. But, ask yourself this: Is your organization doing all it can to maximize online relationships with supporters?

This edition of Convio Connection includes two articles about making the most of e-relationships. In Breaking Down the Silos — How eCRM Technology Can Help, Convio founder and chief strategy officer, Vinay Bhagat, takes a look at how coordinating an organization's communications across all functions — from fundraising and advocacy to membership and volunteer recruitment — can result in engaged constituents, a more complete view of their interests, and growth in support levels. Constituent360™ Opens Door to Stronger Constituent Relationships explains how Convio enables an organization to capture information about site visitors, donors, volunteers, activists and members in a single, integrated online database, and then use that data to develop a more personalized and meaningful e-relationship with each supporter.

In Business Method Patents May Pose Serious Risks to Nonprofits, guest columnist Michael Schreiber, executive vice president for enterprise services, United Way of America, examines the potential threat of business method patents to charitable organizations — an increasingly important issue for today's nonprofits.

Also in this edition, Micro-Sites Drive Macro Results Online, by guest columnist Max Bunch, senior vice president, The Stratmark Group, covers how and when to use micro-sites to drive better results from online fundraising campaigns.

And, in the latest Ask the Expert article, Convio's chief technology officer, David Crooke, answers the question, "Do you have some simple tips for making my email more effective?"

At Convio, we always strive to deliver the latest about online tools and strategies for nonprofits. I trust this issue of Convio Connection will give you the inspiration you need to use the Internet to its full potential.

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