888-528-9501 | INFO@CONVIO.COM | CONTACT | CAREERS | FOR DEVELOPERS | CONVIO UK  

Largest Minority Education Assistance Organization in America Uses Convio to Increase Donor Conversions through Integrated Online Constituent Relationship Management and Web Site Solutions

UNCF — the United Negro College Fund-experienced nearly a 55% increase in online giving in 2007, raising nearly $300,000 in December 2007 compared to nearly $194,000 in December 2006. UNCF raises funds to support its 39 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the more than 400 scholarship programs it offers to students at more than 900 colleges and universities around the country.

"We have had a great experience working with Convio," said John Donohue, UNCF EVP of Development. "We recently launched Convio's TeamRaiser™ module to our area offices to support their fundraising walk-a-thons. By leveraging this tool, offices were able to achieve tremendous success in meeting their fundraising goals," said Donohue.

UNCF started using Convio in October 2006, with the launch of a microsite, http://give.uncf.org, that generated an immediate increase in donations to the national organization. UNCF has a substantial annual direct mail program, and has been growing its email list organically by including a request for email addresses on every piece of direct mail the organization sends out.

"Convio's fundraising tools are so easy to use, both for our staff and for our supporters. It is now much easier to donate online," said Denise Scott, National Director, Direct Response Programs at UNCF. "UNCF's online donations increased significantly since it began using Convio's fundraising tools. In 2007, online gifts increased by 347% compared to 2006. To date, UNCF has increased its overall online revenues by approximately 61% over revenues in 2007," said Scott.

As UNCF positions itself in the 21st century, the organization plans to grow its online fundraising revenues. A strong online program has great appeal to the organization as it allows quick access to donors in terms of sharing information and receiving feedback. It also generates the additional unrestricted dollars that UNCF needs to help its 39 private member HBCUs keep academic programs strong and tuition levels affordable. UNCF's tuition and fees average 36% less than the average tuition at all private colleges and universities.

UNCF's online fundraising success in 2007 was largely due to its holiday campaign, which featured a 30-second video of UNCF president and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax embedded on the organization's home page and on the http://give.uncf.org microsite. Using Convio's tools, UNCF is able to track who actually saw the video and contributed and compare that data to last year's end-of-year fundraising campaign without the video. The average gift made online in 2007 was $288.90 — much higher than the typical average gift (offline) of $183 in 2006.

"Online donations tend to be much bigger than offline donations. So it's only practical that we do all we can to increase donations," said Donohue. He continued, "In 2008, we are planning even greater outreach to our donors with embedded video messages, event notices, e-newsletters, and educational advocacy notices. In addition, by using Convio's analytical tools we will track outcomes and adjust our tactics in order to achieve our ambitious goal of $1 million in online revenues in 2008."

About UNCF

UNCF — the United Negro College Fund — is the nation's oldest and most successful minority education assistance organization. Its mission is to increase minority degree attainment by providing financial support to its 39 member institutions, reducing financial barriers to college and serving as a national advocate for minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF's recently redesigned logo and brand identity feature UNCF's torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at http://www.uncf.org.

About Convio

Convio is a leading provider of on-demand constituent relationship management software and services to nonprofit organizations to enable nonprofit organizations to more effectively raise funds, influence public policy and support their missions by leveraging the Internet to build strong relationships with constituents. The Company's online constituent relationship management, or eCRM, solution includes a suite of on demand software modules for fundraising, advocacy, email marketing and Web content management complemented by a portfolio of best-in-class consulting services.

Convio's clients include American Red Cross, American Diabetes Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Sierra Club, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and National Public Radio. For more information, please visit http://www.convio.com.

Press Contact:
Karoline McLaughlin
Director, Corporate Communications
Convio, Inc.
kmclaughlin@convio.com
512-652-7865


Largest Minority Education Assistance Organization in America Uses Convio to Increase Donor Conversions through Integrated Online Constituent Relationship Management and Web Site Solutions | Convio