5 Free GiftWorks Resources You Need to Know About August 27, 2010

GiftWorks is easy to learn and easy to use, but as with any software, you will undoubtedly have some questions along the way. We want to make sure you know about some of the free resources available to help you get the most out of GiftWorks.

1. Read the guides! We have excellent guides that walk you through GiftWorks donor management, campaign management, QuickBooks integration, and more. They are well-written and include lots of examples and screen shots.
2. Watch the videos! We have created a YouTube channel so you can see demos of different GiftWorks features and functions. One of the most popular series of videos is the Data Importing series. Everyone needs to start by getting their data into GiftWorks, and these videos can help you understand how to do this very efficiently.
3. Take a tour! Ellen Mowrer hosts two live GiftWorks webinars each week. We also have free overviews of data importing (watch the YouTube videos first, then sign up), and of processes for managing online donations, events, and volunteers. Sometimes just watching the software in action and hearing other organizations’ questions during a webinar can help you get ideas on how to make GiftWorks super effective for you.
4. Join the User Group! All GiftWorks customers and consultants are welcome to join our lively User Group on LinkedIn. Simply create a free LinkedIn account if you don't already have one, search for the GiftWorks User Group, and request to join. You will see robust conversations on all kinds of topics. You can ask your own questions and learn from your peers and from experts around the world.
5. Email support! If you can’t find your answer using one of these other resources, you can always email us. Email support for GiftWorks is free, and we’ll get back to you within one business day.

Of course, we offer additional options for those who want to be able to call and talk to support at any time or would like to take our GiftWorks University courses (see www.giftworksconnect.com/support). We want to make sure everyone gets the help they need to be successful with GiftWorks!

Comments

Hello. 2 questions.

1. I have a few donors that were the winning bidders at a silent auction we held at a recent event and they want receipts. We have receipt letters in our letter library. When I enter the "donors" into Giftworks, how do I make sure that they are entered in such a way that they are included in the "receipts" letter library.

2. I now have 700 plus persons in my receipt library as anyone I enter into the Giftworks system is automatically included in the receipt portion of giftworks. Is there a way I can separate the donors into the categories (probably not the right GW term) also (i.e., I work for a junior college and I have different depts. that donate)they belong to and then generate receipts for one department at a time?

When entering the donor you must enter a donation. When you enter that donation, GiftWorks will ask if you would like to issue a receipt for the donation. Click yes and the donation will be placed on the donation receipts mailing list of GiftWorks.

If you need to generate different types of receipts, I recommend creating separate Receipt Groups for each category. Then, when entering the donation, you can define which Receipt Group the donation falls into.

I recently received one pledge payment that covered 130 pledges from one donor. (The donor pledged to match any donations coming in during our annnual appeal.) How do I apply this payment to all the pledges it covers, without individually entering each pledge payment?

When entering the pledge payment, it will ask you how you would like to adjust it. Pick the one that "decreases final payment."

I'm no tax attorney, but I do not think Robin should be giving "winning bidders a receipt as I don't think this is deductible gift.

I've tried to send emails but the program it's not working it does marked the emails as sended but no one has received anything. I don't know what is happening. I need help!

I am evaluating GiftWorks. Are grants from foundations or government able to be tracked through GiftWorks?

Hi Sharon, We would be interested in that answer too.

Hi - our organization is a new user of GW - we need two types of receipts - those for charitable donation tax receipt - and non tax receipts (like hole sponsors for a golf tournament) - I can't find anywhere if there is a way to keep seperate numbered groups for these two very different types of receipts. Do I have to go in and change the numbering everytime I change the type of receipt?

hi, GiftWork is an amaizing tool, myself i see an oppotunity and a solusion that i can specialise with in south africa and its surounding areas. if you have any idea of openning a location in south africa. i would be happy to discuss about the location.I'm a marketing manager at Alfa Media Productions.

Kind Regards
Zach Rapholo

I have to keep track of each person I send a thank you letter to and when in a list form?????

This is amazing software even 100 shillings you can make a record, display, submit report track record etc wonderful.

I'd like to know if anyone uses GW to send renewal notices automatically as a letter such as for annual giving. Some people like/tend to give in certain months and I'd like to be able to send their letter each year in the same month. Is there a way to do this automatically?