DonorExpress NewsLine

Hello From DonorExpress Software
This newsletter is a publication from the staff of DonorExpress Software. Our intention is to share with our DonorExpress users and other interested organizations valuable operational information along with TIPS on how to better use our software. We hope that you will look forward to receiving this newsletter. Please feel free to respond back with suggestions for future issues. Comments

In This Issue
Interesting Thoughts To Ponder
Greetings From the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC
Who's Doing What
Nonprofit Organizations are learning to cope with financially hard times
Announcing the Release of Version 5.2 of DonorExpress Software

Interesting Thought To Ponder

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.
The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.”

- William Ellery Channing -

Greetings from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
There is no better place to be in the Summer than in the High Country of North Carolina. It is no wonder people travel from all around to visit, hike and canoe in this marvelous setting.

As we talk to DonorExpress users across the Country, we hear stories about the struggles they are all facing in the nonprofit industry today. The reality is that we are all very lucky to be living where we live in this great Country and should be proud of where we live. I would like to remind each person that prosperity starts with gratitude and we should be thankful for all we have.

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Who's Doing What
Everyday we talk to nonprofit organizations all across the Country that are doing some exciting things with fundraising. Nonprofits are doing everything from fishing and golf tournaments, bicycle and motor cycle rallies to fancy galas and wine tastings just to name a few. This month we are spotlighting the Children's Advocacy Center of Johnson County in Cleburne, TX and the annual Cowboys for Kids Rodeo. In Texas, nothing draws a crowd like the world champion PBR bull riders and celebrity cowboy stars.

This two day event kicks off with the Roping the Stars Dinner on Friday night which includes both silent and live auctions. The entertainment for 2009 was the musician Sonny Burgess. Local sponsors are always very generous with gifts for the auction, the food and the entertainment.

Saturday is Rodeo day that features plenty of activities for the kids. For an entry fee of $10, children receive a handmade stick horse, a Cowboys for Kids t-shirt and entry into all four stick horse events. What kid would not have fun with stick horse events that include Pole Bending, Bronc Busting, Dummy Roping and Barrels.

The Saturday night rodeo is when everyone comes out to watch the big boys play. The Cowboys for Kids Rodeo highlights Celebrity Team Roping, Wild Steer Saddling (a carryover from the Rodeo days) and of course the PBR Bull Riding. Each year Cowboys for Kids continues to grow in size, number of celebrities and attendance at all of the events.

With the leadership of Tammy King, executive director of the Children's Advocacy Center, and Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford, Cowboys for Kids has grown into a major fundraising event that raises not only money but the awareness of the children of physical, mental and sexual abuse. The entire community comes together to financially support the protection of their children.

Click the links to learn more about the Children's Advocacy Center of Johnson County and the Cowboys for Kids Rodeo.

Tell Us About Your Events

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Nonprofit Organizations are learning to cope with financially hard times
This title and similar titles are appearing in publications and newsletters everywhere. Many nonprofit organizations seem to be at a loss as to how to handle fundraising when the economy takes a dive. Some organizations chose the turtle approach and draw into a shell to wait for the storm to pass. Most will continue with the “same old thing” mode of operations and hope for better results. Then there are those who will see the economic crises as an opportunity to try new methods of raising money.

The reality is that the smart organizations will take a little of each of these approaches. First they should take this time to analyze the efficiencies of their staff and office procedures. Here you may need to make some adjustments so you are more efficient. An organization must be able to operate as efficiently in good times as in bad times.

Second, an organization should be operating from a marketing plan that is set for 1, 2 or more years. Supporters still count on taking part in your annual fundraising events. Consider re-thinking some of the events you sponsor that are more community awareness based and require a great deal of time and money with small returns.

Third, an economic down turn is an opportunity to position yourself to take advantage of the "sling shot" effect that will come as the economy rebounds. The smart organizations will have used the down time to set themselves up to be at the front when the money starts to flow again. The turtles will still be peeking out of their shells trying to time when to emerge again. The “do the same old thing” organizations will probably be where they were last year or worse and complaining about the economy. The forward thinking organizations are maximizing their staff, using new technology to save money and building a stronger relationship with their donors.

By stream lining your organization in a down economy you will set the stage for your organization to flower with the Spring of recovery.

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Announcing the release of version 5.2 of DonorExpress Software
This past month we released the new version of DonorExpress Nonprofit and Hospice Software. Many DonorExpress users are already enjoying the new features and reports found in the version 5.2 of DonorExpress Software.

Click Here to view a PDF of the changes found in the new version of DonorExpress Software or give us a call at 828.264.2577 for instructions on how to install this new version.

FYI DonorExpress Enterprise Version
Another New item we wanted to make sure everyone was aware of is the 2008 release of the new DonorExpress Enterprise Software. We created a new Enterprise version for those organization who might need the pledging scheduling, pledge projection reporting or the batch entry features. If you would like to know more about the Enterprise version of DonorExpress and the cost to stepping up, please give us a call.

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Thank you for your time and interest in DonorExpress Software.
Bob Holder
DonorExpress Software
PO Box 1126
Boone, NC 28607
828.264.2577
info@donorexpress.com
www.donorexpress.com