Blackbaud News : Target Analytics

Press Release: University of Michigan Selects Blackbaud Enterprise CRM and Target Analytics

Melanie Mathos — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:18:00 GMT

Charleston, S.C. (August 31, 2009) – Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB), the leading global provider of software and related services designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, today announced that the University of Michigan, one of the world’s premiere research universities, has selected Blackbaud Enterprise CRM^™ and Target Analytics^® to replace its system-wide fundraising technology and prospect research services. “We are pleased to partner with the University of Michigan to enhance its development efforts and build even stronger relationships with its many constituents,” said Marc Chardon, Blackbaud’s chief executive officer. “Working together, we will centralize and optimize data from over 40 fundraising units, increase the effectiveness of 1,000 users, and ultimately achieve the University’s goals of better serving constituents, increasing support, and improving the overall user experience.” Read more.

Blackbaud in the News: 10 Things You Need to Know About Reactivating Lapsed Donors

Melanie Mathos — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:09:00 GMT

As featured in Fundraising Success

By Lawrence Henze, Managing Director, Target Analytics, a Blackbaud company

The more you know about your lapsed donors — their characteristics, interests and relationships to your organization — the better prepared you are to recapture these donors or, more importantly, prevent them from lapsing in the first place. Prevention is perhaps the strongest strategy in addressing lapsed-donor issues. Consider the following when developing your donor-retention strategy:

1. Proactive research
Acquisition for the sole purpose of bringing in new donors, without an eye toward donor retention, might be the major factor in high attrition or lapse rates. Why build an acquisition profile on a group of donors with a 50 percent to 75 percent attrition rate?

The solution is to build acquisition-to-retention model profiles that identify the characteristics of acquired donors who persist in their giving for two to three years. It's a much better strategy because you can identify persistent donors and their common characteristics and focus on acquisition lists that mirror these characteristics. Better yet, use a donor-retention model to score acquisition lists, and only mail prospects with a high likelihood to respond and persist over time.

Read the full article.

Blackbaud in the News: You Don't Have To Send Holiday Greetings to Everyone

Melissa Dodge — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:26:00 GMT

From The Nonprofit Times

You Don't Have to Send Holiday Greetings to Everyone
Database modeling and donor history deciding who will get holiday solicitations

by Michele Donohue, featuring Matt Cobbett, the director of cooperative database products at Target Analytics

Nonprofit direct mailers are following the Christmas carol instructions about "making a list, checking it twice" for end-of-the-year mailings. But forget about naughty or nice - these mailers want donors.

Save the Children is preparing to mail approximately 300,000 lapsed donors this coming fall, according to Gail Arcamone, director of direct response marketing at the organization's Westport, Conn. headquarters.

Arcamone said that the organization plans to mail smarter by modeling the lapsed donor list, scoring individuals based on their potential to give. So instead of mailing the entire donor file, "we can just really mail more efficiently to the donors who are most likely to respond."

Read the full article.

Target Analytics Releases First Look at 2009 Fundraising Trends

Melanie Mathos — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:11:00 GMT

The Target Analytics Index of National Fundraising Performance analyzes direct marketing giving for many of the largest nonprofit organizations in the country. For the 12 months ending Q1 2009, Target Analytics evaluated transactions from 79 organizations, including over 35 million donors and more than 66 million gifts totaling almost $2 billion in revenue. This quarter's Index saw the addition of two new sectors: arts and cultural, and religion.

The Q1 2009 Index findings indicated that nonprofit direct marketing experienced continued revenue and donor declines in Q1 as the economy remained weak. All of the key metrics analyzed in the Index were down from the first quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009.

Here are some of the key findings:

Index revenue declined a median 7.8% from Q1 2008 to Q1 2009 with every sector declining.
Donor numbers in the Index fell a median 5.8% from Q1 2008 to Q1 2009.
For the first time since the Index began in 2002, overall revenue per donor declined 2.1% from the same period the previous year.
The number of new donors fell 12.9% from the first quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009. Index donor declines are due primarily to declines in new donor numbers, which have fallen faster than overall donor numbers since the 2005 hurricanes, and have fallen three times faster since the recession began than they had in either of the previous two years.

As the Index points out, in evaluating Q1 2009 trends, it is important to remember that first-quarter rates of growth and decline are often greater than eventual year-end results because they are calculated on relatively small numbers of gifts and revenue amounts.

To access the results report, click here. (pdf)

Giving USA 2009 Results Confirm 2008 Target Analytics Index Findings

Melanie Mathos — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:43:00 GMT

In this guest post, Target Analytics’ Helen Flannery compares key findings from the Giving USA 2009 results with the 2008 Target Analytics Index of National Fundraising Performance

The Giving USA Foundation today released its national fundraising estimates for 2008, showing a decrease in revenue for nonprofits from 2007 to 2008. These results align with the 2008 Target Analytics Index of National Fundraising Performance, released this past April.

The Target Index and Giving USA studies use very different methodologies. The Target Index analyzes direct marketing giving based on gift file downloads from 75 nonprofit organizations (primarily large national direct mailers). Giving USA, on the other hand, models giving from all sources, for all nonprofit organizations in the country using reported charitable giving in combination with other factors like stock market performance and tax law changes.

That said, the Giving USA results nevertheless confirm the trends we saw in our Index – that 2008 was a disappointing year for many nonprofits.

The Target Index reported a median revenue decline of 3.3% from 2007 to 2008. Revenue in Giving USA’s individual giving segment, the segment most comparable to the Target Index, declined 2.7% over the same period. Both analyses essentially saw a decline of 3% in individual revenue from 2007 to 2008.

The Target Index and Giving USA both saw substantial declines in health and human services revenue from 2007 to 2008 and both saw modest 1% growth in international relief.

The 2008 Target Index also showed similar declines in other measures of fundraising health such as donor numbers, new donor acquisition, and retention rates.

Target Analytics releases the Index on a quarterly basis and we are currently analyzing results from Q1 2009. Findings will be available for download the afternoon of June 25th at http://www.blackbaud.com/targetanalytics/benchmarking/nationalindex.aspx.

Press Release: New Software-as-a-Service offering to empower prospect researchers with actionable prospect data

Melissa Dodge — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:53:00 GMT

Charleston, S.C. (June 1, 2009) – Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB), today announced the launch of ResearchPoint™ by Target Analytics™, a solution that helps nonprofits identify, target, and cultivate potential major and planned giving donors. Among the early adopters using ResearchPoint to gain a better understating of their donor bases are Operation Homefront and The Wichita State University (WSU) Foundation. With ResearchPoint, these organizations can now efficiently manage key prospect information and build donor cultivation strategies.

>> Register for a free web seminar on June 17 at 3 p.m. ET or June 24 at 2 p.m. ET
to learn how nonprofits are already benefiting from ResearchPoint.

Read the full press release.

Blackbaud in the News: What women want - Understanding women’s philanthropic giving

Melanie Mathos — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:24:00 GMT

From The Philanthropy Journal
By Katherine Swank, consultant at Target Analytics, a Blackbaud Company

Women, as a group, are increasingly impacting fundraising efforts in the U.S.; however, their philanthropic objectives can differ significantly from men's. Women tend to focus on specific sectors and want greater accountability for their gifts. On the whole, women want to create new solutions, seek more contact and control, and want to be kept informed of the results from their giving. Many also seek social networks within the organizations that interest them. If women make up a significant portion of your donor base, you may need to change the way you speak with them and start listening for their direction.

The topic of women in philanthropy is finally gaining its due study. Several books and a growing number of philanthropic institutes have helped us to see a clearer picture. Reinventing Fundraising, Realizing the Potential of Women's Philanthropy, by Sondra Shaw-Hardy and Martha Taylor, focuses on the "Six C's" of women's motivation for giving:

Create new solutions to old problems.
Use their financial power to effect change rather than to preserve the status quo.
Make a commitment (or commit) to the organization's vision.
Enjoy a personal connection with the institution or organization.
Collaborate and work with others as part of a larger effort.
Celebrate.

Read the full article here.

To Screen or Not to Screen “When” is the Question

Melissa Dodge — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Many nonprofit professionals wonder if their organizations should perform prospect screening. The best plan of attack is to perform prospect screening only when it would be most beneficial and effective. But how do you determine that? In Target Analytics’ latest white paper, managing director, Lawrence Henze explores how to assess your nonprofit’s situation to discover how and when to apply prospect screening for maximized results.

Topics discussed in this white paper include:
• Prospect screening is no longer considered a luxury, but a key component of an effective and efficient fundraising program
• The timing of a screening in relation to capital campaigns has varying purposes
• Prospect screening provides results that can be like a virtual fundraising navigation system

So, when is the best time for your organization to conduct a prospect screening project? Download the free whitepaper to learn more.
To Screen or Not to Screen: "When" is the Question

Target Analytics Report Finds Online Giving Growing, Integrated Marketing Key to Retention

Melanie Mathos — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:53:00 GMT

Cambridge, MA (March 18, 2009) – Target Analytics, a Blackbaud (Nasdaq: BLKB) company, today released the 2008 donorCentrics^™ Internet Giving Benchmarking Analysis. Key findings from the Analysis indicate that over the past few years, online giving has become an increasingly significant source of new donor acquisition, and integrating online and offline fundraising channels is key to long term success.“Online giving is growing rapidly, and many online donors have a tendency to also give offline, so fundraisers face increasing complexity in managing an integrated direct marketing program that maximizes donor value,” said Rob Harris, Target Analytics’ vice president of analytics. “With direct mail, the blueprints for success are well-known, but in this new multi-channel world everything is new and many strategies are still unproven.”

Read the full press release.
Read The New York Times' coverage of the study.
Dowload the report. (pdf)
Learn more.
Nonprofits of all sizes can gain key insights from the findings of the 2008 donorCentrics™ Internet Giving Benchmarking Analysis. A webinar will be held on April 16th to review the findings in more detail. You can register online for the webinar here. This is one of many key Internet resources that Blackbaud makes available to the nonprofit community.

Target Analytics in the News: USA Today - 'Uncertainty is the enemy of philanthropy.'

Melanie Mathos — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:19:00 GMT

From the article:

"The number of donors fell a median 3.8% in the first half of 2008 from a year earlier, while revenue declined a median 2.4%, according to an analysis of donations to 74 groups by Target Analytics, a consulting firm to non-profits. Though the number of donors has been falling for 2½ years, revenue had not declined since the first quarter of 2006 following a surge in donations after 2005's Gulf Coast hurricanes.

Charities in the animal welfare sector were the only ones to see both donor and revenue growth in the first half of the year."

Read the article here.

To see all articles in the Sharing in the USA special report, click here.

Non-Profit Giving Slows in First Quarter of 2008 - Donors and Revenue Decline

Melanie Mathos — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:30:00 GMT

The Target Analytics Quarterly Index of National Fundraising Performance for the first quarter of 2008 was released yesterday. It compares trends in key fundraising indicators for more than 70 large national organizations every quarter.

Cambridge, MA (July 1, 2008) -- Organizations in the Target Analytics Index of National Fundraising Performance generally underperformed in the first quarter of 2008 (January through March). Overall donors and revenue both declined in Q1 2008, and the declines were evident across most of the sectors in the index.

New Target Analytics White Paper: 23 Planned Giving Terms You Should Know

Melanie Mathos — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:02:00 GMT

Do the terms CRAT and CRUT leave you bewildered? In her latest white paper, Katherine Swank provides a glossary of planned giving terms, using practical examples, that will give you a basic working knowledge of key words common in ongoing planned gift conversations.

With more than 20 years of legal and nonprofit management experience, Katherine has raised approximately $215 million for national healthcare and public broadcasting organizations, as well as an independent law school. Prior to joining Target Analytics in May 2007, Swank was the national director of gift planning at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, where she provided fundraising consulting services to the Society’s chapter leadership and development staff for six years.

Read her newest white papers here:

23 Planned Giving Terms You Should Know

View additional whitepapers at http://www.blackbaud.com/resources/resources.aspx.

New Target Analytics White Paper: Why You Need Gift Acceptance Policies

Melanie Mathos — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:51:00 GMT

All gifts are not equal! Katherine Swank delves into this subject in her new white paper that explores why every nonprofit should have a gift acceptance policy and offers insight and tools for formulating a policy for your organization.

Read her newest white papers here:

Why You Need Gift Acceptance Policies

View additional whitepapers at http://www.blackbaud.com/resources/resources.aspx.

Blackbaud Interviews Podcast: Submit Questions for Chuck Longfield and Jay Love

Melanie Mathos — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Chuck Longfield, Blackbaud's chief scientist and founder of the Target companies and Jay Love, eTapestry's founder and CEO, will be guests for the launch of the "Blackbaud Interviews" podcast later this week. The interview will focus on company and product news, and questions from readers like you.

Submit your questions via email or in the comments section below.

Target Analytics White Papers: Launching a Direct Marketing Program and Identifying the Best Lists

Melanie Mathos — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:03:00 GMT

Most nonprofit organizations run a successful major giving program, but direct marketing can be challenging. And, with more than 20,000 lists available to a nonprofit organization, identify the best lists for a direct marketing program can be just as daunting.

In two new white papers, Suzanne Newell of Target Analytics explores how to conduct a feasibility study, launch a successful direct marketing program, and avoid competing with the major gifts program, as well as identifying and acquiring the best lists. With more than 10 years of direct marketing experience, Newell was a list manager, list broker, and agency account executive for companies such as Brickmill Studios, The Millard Group, and Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing. Now, with Target Analytics, Newell assists nonprofit customers with direct marketing campaigns for donor acquisition and renewal efforts.

Read her newest white papers here:

View additional whitepapers at http://www.blackbaud.com/resources/resources.aspx.