FundRaiser Blog

The FundRaiser Software Blog is an excellent resource for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about fundraising, donor management, membership management, and much more.

How a Christian Radio Station Got Back On Track By Responding Quickly to Listener Letters

How a Christian Radion Station Got Back On Track by Responding Quickly to Listener LettersAbout 15 years ago, key members of CrossTalk ministry took a step back from their work, and realized they weren’t getting where they wanted to go. “We had a lag of four to six weeks in responding to people who contacted us. When we got around to contacting them they were irritated and didn’t care anymore. We were failing,” says Caleb Weiss, Development Director.

Caleb knew that donor management software could help, but theirs was more of a liability. “We had some kind of membership tracking software at that time. It took more work to use than it saved. We were also using several Excel spreadsheets. We needed a software product that would help us do our job without having to put so much into it.”

First step toward successful donor relations

At that point, they purchased a FundRaiser program. “We knew that, in addition to purchasing new software, someone needed to be specifically responsible for getting out responses to our donors. Jennifer Weiss, our database manager and in charge of donor services, took the job on, and in a few weeks, she was able to bring the response time down to twelve days,” says Caleb.

For Jennifer, the job went surprisingly easily. “I am the most computer illiterate person, but it was really easy for me. I came into the office and there were things everywhere that needed to be entered, but it all went smoothly and was fast. It was very easy.”

“Immediately, that made a difference to our ministry,” says Caleb. “We learned a very important lesson: the best place to put our development energy was into letters thanking people for their contribution or purchase. It made a night-and-day difference from simply delivering a product or sending out a tax letter at the end of the year.

“Over years, the positive trend that began with simply sending out prompt thank-you letters has continued to grow. We have built on that lesson, and have steadily increased our ability to respond that let people know we are paying attention and value them,” says Caleb.

Learn how FundRaiser can help your organization respond quickly to donor letters

Sign up for an online guided tour here

Using Letters To Showcase Your Organization
Starting a Membership Program

Related Posts

Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
phoning donors entering auction gifts new version letter Task List Congratulations user spotlights look and feel FundRaiser Basic ticketsales Personalizing word processor features password protection giving history building donor relationships donor slip salutation overview memorial giving accounting software welcome packet communications arts motivation pictures capital campaign Volunteer module Facebook ROI ticket sales FundRaiser Hosted in honor of donations End of Year Letters legacy giving upgrade Codes Alternative Addresses GoFundMe project solicitors updates small donations general publicity materials membership programs community broadcasting texting donors advanced tab merge fields Reporting to IRS premiums Crowdfunding Campaign Constant Contact donor prospects transparency new nonprofit LYBUNTS training endowment campaign data conversion Thanksgiving Facebook campaign customer portal mode code flash sales community arts nonprofits adding personal notes to letters campaign security social media major gift prospects donor preferences direct mail NCOA processing email donor attrition rate In-Kind gifts importing csv backing up data operating systems online donations government grants donor relations foundations correspondance appeal letters volunteering technical support donor contact information lapsed donor training tip Resiliency board members online donations brick campaign #GivingTuesday anonymous donors gift acceptance policy gift notes field how-to videos planned giving tax summary letters giving levels budget Thank You merge notes Cloud GivingTuesday prospects appeal Tickles Importing Data membersip benefits relationship tracking donor source add ons reports data entry data analysis understanding giving trends Snow Birds announcements case study donation history development director fundraising letters New Year fundraising on site training FundRaiser Spark grants passwords community supported gardens donor profile nonprofit fundraising annual campaign Groupings product news National Change of Address support banquet office SYBUNTS campaign management donor retention rate new features donor advised funds donor retention grassroots campaign Reminders new leadership donor recognition mission driven major donors mailing gift entry membership benefits letter templates upgrading donors personalizing letters pledges the Ask motivation code increasing giving amounts auction large donations spreadsheets holiday giving new donors donor attrition Excel planning PayPal customer service Company culture donor engagement recurring gifts moves management targeted mailings monthly giving corporate sponsors thank you letters change of address updating Donor Portal role of nonprofits segmenting donors repeat donors disaster relief volunteers tribute gifts follow up vacation animal rescue donor donor loyalty happiness event management charity golf tournaments how to handle auction gifts holiday letters alumni operational costs tech tip raffle Network for Good annual maintenance plan user interface holiday donor targeting custom page spare fields correspondence

Connect With Us

  800-880-3454 ext 3
  Email Us
  Request More Information
  Monday-Friday
      8:30AM-5:30PM CST

Customer Portal Login Form

User Name:
Password:

If you are not sure about your Customer User Name, please call 800-543-4131 and we will be able to help you.

Or you have lost your password, Request Password