Hey, everyone, we are missing you here in VA. Posting this update in hopes of feedback.
Ben
Where To Go Next with VOP Technology?
December 2004
The following is a continuing fleshing-out of a new direction for technology at VOP. The ongoing goals of the project have been:
1)Create a system by which all VOP staff can access our central database over the internet in real time.
2)Modify or replace the current database based on a comprehensive evaluation of staff needs around the following areas:
building membership,
fundraising,
leadership development,
campaign strategy, and
campaign tactics.
3)Train the entire staff on database use.
4)Develop a database manual for new staff and a reference for existing staff.
With these goals in mind, I think we have two general directions we could go. In the first, we contract with an Application Service Provider to develop, maintain, and host our database on their servers. In this scenario, all of us would have the appropriate levels of access to the data via a standard web browser like Internet Explorer, Safari or Firefox. A few ASP's exist which have a strong track record as well as extensive experience with non-profit groups:
1.www.etapestry.com It is a web-based fundraising database which is maintained by the company itself. Can be fully integrated into our existing website. Costs would range from $155 to $400 per month, depending on how many users we want them to allow to log on at once.
2.www.thedatabank.com This is a comprehensive database which could take care of our contact management, email lists, advocacy alerts, and fundraising. It has been directly adapted to organizing and advocacy groups. Consult with KFTC to get suggestions and evaluation on their experience with the databank. I believe they had an initial setup fee of $5000 and a yearly fee of $3000.
3.www.kintera.org.
This is another comprehensive system, but even more so. Not only will kintera do our database as above, they will host our website and integrate the two completely, plus provide a space for staff to collaborate online as well as do timesheet reporting. This last is what we were trying to do earlier in the year with the combined timesheets. I've heard from others that Kintera is expensive, but Equality VA just signed up with them so it can't be too bad. We can consult with EV to get an evaluation.
Another strong option would be to continue to develop our own database and either host it on a server at our office or place it on a webhost elsewhere. In this case, I would recommend we make a serious evaluation of a Filemaker-based piece of open-source (free) software called Ebase v2.0. It is in use by many community organizing groups and non-profits around the country, being specifically designed for us and our particular needs. It does contact management, email lists, fundraising, workgroup collaboration, to-do lists, and timesheet reporting. A number of consultants exist who could customize it for us, either from the Ebase designers themselves or independent ones. A few of these close by include:
1)Lotusmedia.org. Based in Durham
2)NetCorp, also based in North Carolina
3)TAG. Technology Assessment Group. Based in Richmond.
We have before us two broad paths, one in which we contract with an Application Service Provider to do it all with us, and the other in which we do more of the work ourselves along with a consultant which we hire to help us set it up. Todd Koym suggests that the ASP is cheaper in the long run. Our friends at Equality Virginia and KFTC agree.