I'm working on an article with the title, "Maybe It's Not Your Database, It's You." The premise is that complaints about an organization's database may be misdirected: the problem is how the system is being managed (aka management problems disguised as technology problems). Now, … [Read more...]
Blackbaud kills Common Ground: So What?
According to the Foundation Center’s analysis of data from the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are approximately 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S. According to the Q&A that Idealware conducted with Blackbaud, approximately 400 nonprofits are using the version of Common Ground … [Read more...]
Blackbaud kills off Common Ground
Yesterday the news was that Blackbaud had laid off 50 employees it acquired when it bought Convio in May. In what was said to be an unrelated development, they also announced the departure of Gene Austin, the former CEO of Convio. Today the news is that Blackbaud is killing off Common Ground, … [Read more...]
ROI for a donor database
My colleague Charlie Hunsaker posted the following question on the FUNDSVCS Advancement Services listserve: I have two clients who are looking for new systems and want a “cost justification” for their acquisition to share with their management. Probably an issue that we should all be looking at. … [Read more...]
Blackbaud’s acquisition of Convio is a done deal
Blackbaud completed its purchase of Convio. The next adventure starts today, as we wait to see what the future holds for their various systems. … [Read more...]
Blackbaud – Convio merger expected to close this week
The Department of Justice signed off on Blackbaud's acquisition of Convio last week, and it looks like the deal will close this week. This is just the beginning of the story. I expect that it will take at least several months, and probably several years, before the dust settles and we … [Read more...]
What’s a good donor database?
I've been enjoying the discussion in the Chronicle of Philanthropy's LinkedIn group in response to the question, "What's a good, affordable donor database program for a small non profit?" (you'll probably need to join the group to read the responses). There have been 120 responses so far, and … [Read more...]
Thoughts on the Blackbaud – Convio deal
Lots of people have already weighed in on Blackbaud’s purchase of Convio (two of my favorites: http://www.frogloop.com/care2blog/2012/1/18/blackbaud-buys-their-rival-convio-now-what.html and http://nonprofit-force.org/2012/01/20/the-convio-blackbaud-merger-one-customers-perspective/). Here my … [Read more...]
New article: Take Control of your Organization’s Data
NTEN just published a short piece of mine on data management in their Change magazine. It's in their DIY series -- short tips for implementing something for your organization without extensive tech know-how or extra budget. The topic they gave me was managing decentralized data entry. … [Read more...]
Thinking about a donor database selection workshop
I'm planning a new workshop on selecting donor databases, focusing on the question, "Why is this so friggin' complicated?" Some initial thoughts: The maxim "Fast, cheap, or good--pick two" is true. You want the technology to be forward-looking but also want to avoid shiny object … [Read more...]