Donor Management System: Nashua Senior Center

Giftworks System Tracks Annual Appeal, Gala Events, and More

Senior Center blue logo transparent

The Nashua Senior Activity Center provides activities and services for about 2,000
seniors in the Nashua, NH area, relying on fundraising efforts for about one-third of their funding.  The center’s annual appeal in December provides an opportunity to touch base with members and donors and raise year-end funds.

In previous years, senior center staff scrambled to send out an annual appeal letter, using manual processes and a variety of lists for members, previous donors, potential donors, and attendees from their various events.

Gala Event Donations Managed with Giftworks

Event Donations Managed with Giftworks

We planned, designed, and implemented the cloud-based donor management system GiftWorks for the center. First, we defined standards for data entry and for the structure of campaigns, appeals, events, and funds. We then consolidated rogue spreadsheets throughout the organization; cleansed, normalized, and de-duped the data; and loaded valid names into the system. The senior center used the new system to manage the annual appeal mailing and doubled donations as compared to the previous year.

The Post Group builds sustainable capabilities for nonprofits, including training staff and increasing staff capacity.  The Nashua Senior Activity Center uses Giftworks to manage all appeals, donations from events, a sponsorship program, and transparent reporting to the board and has significantly increased development income as a result.