Subject: Fundraising Database Dilemma!

Hi KG

Sorry you haven't hqad a response to this yet. I'm currently in the US on hols but will see if my colleagues back home can find someone who can give you their experiences. When I was at RNIB we used Raisers Edge pretty satisfactorily, it has the advantage of being widely used ie many people know how to use it and trainers abound, some of whom are freelance ie normally cheaper

Ian

Hi,

I just came across your post.  There are several cost effective solutions in the marketplace, but as a general rule they will all require some setup/training, and it would be sensible to invest wisely in this area.  My company has a low cost solution, called Advantage Fundraiser.  If you'd like more information then please feel free to get in touch with me by email, steve.cast@redbourn.co.uk or you can see more details on our website, http://www.redbourn.co.uk/advantage_fundraiser.html

Regards,

Steve

Have just found this great resource from Lasa about choosing fundraising software which might be of use.

Thank you for this.  We have actually taken the plunge and committed to stay with our existing provider.  I will certainly use this to have a look through and see if I have made the right decision (eek!).  It really is a tough decision, especially when you consider how much some of these systems cost.

I will report back on how I get on.  Thanks again!  Kate

Thanks Kate. It would be good to know how you get on - fingers crossed!

It might also help others going through something similar to know how you made your decision. For example what were your priorities and what questions did you ask to help you make a decision (eg how many records does it hold, how does it integrate with our other systems etc etc).

I did a simple database in MS Access, unfortunately I am having much the same trouble, mainly that no-one else bothers to fill it in!  I made it into a form to make it as easy and painless as possible but still it is ignored!

In some ways, Glynis, that is the biggest battle of all - not the system itself, but getting everyone to capture the right data in the right way, and in the right fields!  The best database software going can't compensate for poor data entry, or no data entry at all.

My agency does a lot of data analysis for charities with large databases (which can provide some really valuable insights into how to improve results, return on investment and lifetime value of donors), but the analysis is only meaningful and worthwhile doing if the data is good enough quality to start with.

When you're starting out, Access can be a pretty good solution - particularly if budgets are tight.  It's so critical to get the buy-in from everyone using it to capture supporter data and do it accurately though, so don't give up on educating your colleagues about the benefits!  If you can get this right from the off, when you come to import it all into a beefier fundraising database one day, you'll be building on great foundations.

Often, I've found it helps to appeal to each person's particular interest when trying to introduce new behaviour like this - i.e. what's in it for them?

Good luck!

I was extremely interested in what Rachel had to say. I have recently started working for a small charity that has no relationship database - uses Excel - and due to a limited budget I was considering in setting up an Access database. However, having been in touch with our support people and reading the LASA report I have been put off this. I keep being told that for the same cost I could use on-line fundrasing software. I have been looking into these but they are all nearer the £900 mark and to be honest the amount of time I am spending researching I could have had my Access system up and running.  Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?