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.

What is NCOA processing?

Mary Lenker
69

One of the more disappointing parts of sending out correspondence to donors is the returned mail. Inevitably, no matter how up to date an organization thinks its database is, some envelopes will be returned. The loss in resources (time, paper and envelopes) not to mention money can be disheartening and make an organization wonder if sending an appeal letter campaign is worth it. Although these expenses are considered when thinking about a campaign, wouldn’t it be nice to pre-screen your addresses for any changes before you mailed your letters?

Enter NCOA processing.

Continue reading
Tags:
fundraising letters mailing NCOA processing
Tweet
Non-Profit Fundraising Tips
6461 Hits

Short take: non-traditional uses for the alternate address field

Mary Lenker
AltAddresses

FundRaiser Software has the capability to not just hold unlimited alternate addresses, but also code them based on the type of address. Depending on the choices selected (date range or specific code) FundRaiser will then send to the alternate address instead of the main address on the record. Alternate addresses also have a few additional uses:

  1. Store old addresses
    When a donor updates an address, keep the old one on file so you don't lose it. Copy the current address to the alternate address space. It will be marked inactive, so you can keep the address on file just in case it's needed.
  2. Send mail to a power of attorney or another location permanently
    There may be times that you need to send correspondence to someone else, such as a power of attorney or even a family foundation's address. Using the alternate address field you can keep the donor's original address on file, while sending correspondence to another location.
  3. Keep an alternate address "just in case"
    For donors without a certain time for their vacation or summer home, or who may want some correspondence sent to a business address, but not all of it, then using the alternate address field is the perfect way to keep track of this information. Keeping the addresses coded correctly will ensure mail goes to the appropriate places.

If you have any questions about working with FundRaiser to manage your addresses: 

  • Sign up for the live FundRaiser Overview webinar. You can see the complete webinar schedule on the training calendar for the current month.  
  • Contact support at 800-543-4131 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Continue reading
Tags:
Alternative Addresses NCOA processing National Change of Address
Tweet
Trainers Blog
4397 Hits

5 Ways to Manage Address Changes for a Donors on the Move with your FundRaiser Database

Trainer's Blog
AddressChang_20171213-185615_1

What percentage of your donors can you afford to lose?

According to the US Census Bureau, over 11.2% of the population will move during the year, and while this figure is at an all time low, it still represents a significant number of changes that will, most likely, occur in your donor database as well.  If you rely on your donors to inform you of their address changes, you will no doubt lose contact with many of them. There are a few ways to take positive action on your own to keep in touch and retain donors who move without notice, however. These include:  3 features available in FundRaiser Spark, Select, and Professional; 1 additional feature available in Select and Professional; and 1 other feature exclusive to Professional.

Continue reading
Tags:
Snow Birds Alternative Addresses NCOA processing
Tweet
Trainers Blog
6829 Hits

Reach More Donors with NCOA Processing

Mary Lenker
Reach More Donors with NCOA Processing
b2ap3_thumbnail_NCOAProcessing-ScreenShot.jpg

One of the most frustrating experiences as a nonprofit is to send out a carefully crafted appeal letter only to have several envelopes be returned as unable to be delivered by the post office. Not only have you spent postage and used paper and time to send the letters, but your message won’t reach your donors. How do you prevent this from happening?

NCOA, or National Change of Address, is a United States Post Office program designed to prevent non-deliverable mail. The USPS maintains a database of all permanent address changes within the past three years by people who have completed change of address cards. When you export your database and use a USPS licensed processor, they will run your donors’ addresses through this program and provide you with information such as a changed address, the complete ZIP+4 zip code, which helps with mail processing, and which addresses are not valid without any further information. When you merge the received data back into your database, it will be updated and your donors coded appropriately to help you better manage your mailings.

Continue reading
Tags:
National Change of Address change of address updating NCOA processing
Tweet
Tech Blog
6232 Hits
Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
spare fields donor contact information pictures gift acceptance policy custom page major gift prospects tax summary letters Personalizing ROI community supported gardens motivation FundRaiser Basic capital campaign memorial giving appeal online donations follow up the Ask fundraising large donations gift entry New Year donor profile case study campaign ticketsales government grants segmenting donors board members happiness recurring gifts #GivingTuesday data entry End of Year Letters ticket sales donor attrition rate new nonprofit annual maintenance plan publicity materials operating systems disaster relief Alternative Addresses Importing Data security giving history letter templates annual campaign transparency targeted mailings appeal letters letter brick campaign grants budget online donations in honor of donations merge fields new version GivingTuesday updates donor engagement community arts nonprofits backing up data user interface repeat donors increasing giving amounts tribute gifts FundRaiser Spark event management planned giving Snow Birds small donations donor source auction technical support upgrading donors spreadsheets mission driven corporate sponsors donor recognition PayPal mailing texting donors donor attrition FundRaiser Hosted donor accounting software welcome packet correspondance donor retention rate planning LYBUNTS membership benefits flash sales holiday customer portal mode code Facebook campaign on site training tech tip donor retention support endowment campaign NCOA processing volunteers thank you letters prospects office donor slip salutation animal rescue donor advised funds personalizing letters Groupings Excel phoning donors training tip email adding personal notes to letters social media features fundraising letters Reminders understanding giving trends In-Kind gifts anonymous donors donor relations holiday giving announcements customer service general lapsed donor entering auction gifts how to handle auction gifts donation history password protection Codes reports legacy giving SYBUNTS Thanksgiving Resiliency holiday letters overview communications banquet change of address updating National Change of Address new features raffle volunteering Reporting to IRS new leadership Donor Portal how-to videos Company culture data analysis user spotlights Network for Good role of nonprofits Congratulations major donors Constant Contact gift notes field donor preferences correspondence monthly giving Volunteer module data conversion upgrade charity golf tournaments donor targeting direct mail pledges membersip benefits development director product news membership programs new donors motivation code word processor merge notes relationship tracking vacation advanced tab importing csv campaign management GoFundMe project solicitors Tickles building donor relationships Thank You operational costs grassroots campaign Facebook add ons look and feel passwords moves management training Crowdfunding Campaign arts donor prospects alumni Cloud foundations Task List premiums nonprofit fundraising community broadcasting donor loyalty giving levels

Connect With Us

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

Customer Portal Login Form

   

The customer portal is unavailable. If you need support please reach out to support@fundraisersoftware.com Thank you.

 
  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