Seven Years of Nonprofit Software August 13, 2007

Tonight I'm in New York, where 7 years ago I started building the prototype for GiftWorks fundraising software. The state of nonprofit software at the time wasn't that great; interfaces were clunky, prices were very high, and the majority of nonprofits used Excel or Access to track donors and donations.

Things haven't changed too much, except that GiftWorks is a cure for common clunkiness, and it isn't expensive, but most nonprofits still use Access and Excel, and most nonprofit software is expensive and clunky. We're still committed to the small nonprofit, and committed to affordable, easy to use software. On occasion, we hear from prospective customers that they can't believe we're so affordable--too good to be true. But it is true, and it works for both our customers and our company.

We've also stuck to our values--employee ownership (20% in stock options), socially responsible practices, 20% of the company donated to a foundation in a donor-advised fund, and affordable software that anyone can use and everyone can afford.

Tomorrow I have a few meetings in Manhattan. Usually I swing by my old neighborhood in NOHO, but this time I'm sticking to the meetings, then heading for the train home. New York reminds me of how far we've come, and I get those feelings this city gives so willingly--hope, aspiration, unlimited potential. That's how I feel, still, about Mission Research. Our mission is to support your mission.

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