Author Topic: Using Civi for classic fundraising (Read 1710 times)

SusanSlattery · June 04, 2009, 07:53:27 am

i work for an environmental non-profit. We currently use Fundraiser Select software for our twice annual direct mail (80% print, 20% email).

We are in the process of moving all our data records over to Civi, but Civi doesn't seem to offer this basic functionality:

Export of Donor and Supporter names so that we can list them in our Annual Report. We want names grouped by donor giving level, and within levels, names organized alphabetically by last name (eg. Smith), and printing like: Tom and Susan Smith.

We also export csv files for mail merges for the printed direct mail portion of our annual appeals.
We have a master list (all print preference only people, who have NO solicitor)
Smaller lists of print preference only people grouped by Solictor (Susan has a list of non-donors AND a list of donors ... Susan writes handwritten notes on these letters after the mail merge is finished, but before the letters are mailed.)

Are other orgs out there using Civi this way? How are you exporting your lists for mail merges and for reproduction for public recognition?

Dave Greenberg · June 04, 2009, 03:26:24 pm

Hi Susan - I think folks are using the Contributions export feature to accomplish some (most) of what you're describing. From CiviContribute >> Find Contributions, you can select any date range (and other criteria if needed - e.g. Contribution Source) and get matching contribution records. Then sort your results as desired, select all, and choose Export from the -more actions- dropdown.

The Primary Fields export includes contact "display name" (e.g. Mr Dan Smith, Tom and Susan Smith-for household, etc.), contact address fileds (for mail merge), contribution source field, amount, etc. You can only sort the search results on a single column (name OR amount), so your secondary sort(s) would need to be done in Excel / Open Office after you export the data. Also, multiple contributions from the same person are not aggregated here.

The upcoming CiviReport module (first phase due in release 2.2.6 in the next month or so) will include a number of contribution-based reports that will hopefully give you another good way to get the data you want. You can see the list of reports on the wiki (a few may not make it into 2.2.6 - but the primary contribution reports will be there): http://wiki.civicrm.org/confluence/display/CRM/CiviReport+-+The+Return

madronemedia · June 04, 2009, 04:13:56 pm

Susan,

After working in non-profit fundraising for 14 years, I think CiviCRM is a great donor database, especially based on features versus cost. If fact, I thinks it's such a strong choice, that I make the transition from development to working for an open source developer to support our CiviCRM non-profit clients. However, as Dave pointed out, one shortcoming has been the 'out of the box' ease of reporting. You can do most of what you want as Dave mentioned, with advanced searching. You could also write a custom search or have a consultant write you one (or even a report) if you need that report before the basic report module is in 2.2.6. I'm not sure if the basic reporting module will still solve your need, but Dave or others working on it would know more.

Good Luck. Let us know if you have other questions or decide on a solution.

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Author Topic: Using Civi for classic fundraising (Read 1710 times)

SusanSlattery

Using Civi for classic fundraising

Dave Greenberg

Re: Using Civi for classic fundraising

madronemedia

Re: Using Civi for classic fundraising