AUSTIN, Texas, July 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Convio, Inc.(r) -- the leading provider of Internet software and services to help nonprofits become more effective at fundraising and managing constituent relationships -- today announced that Howard Dean's presidential campaign raised nearly $3.6 million online during the initial 90 days of using Convio's software and services to power its Web site and fundraising system. The 90-day period closely coincided with the second quarter of 2003.
The $3.6 million online contribution total accounts for nearly half of the $7.5 million raised overall by Dean For America (www.deanforamerica.com) both online and offline during the second quarter. In June alone, Dean generated more than $3.4 million in online contributions.
"These numbers make it clear that the Internet has 'arrived' as a significant method of fundraising," said Vinay Bhagat, founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Convio. "Dean for America is doing a brilliant job of weaving the Internet into virtually all of its activities to raise awareness, build strong constituent relationships and drive tremendous support. Dean's success showcases the huge potential of the Internet as a revenue generator not only for political campaigns but also for all nonprofit organizations."
Convio -- the leading online Constituent Relationship Management (eCRM) company for the nonprofit sector -- provides software and services that help organizations use the Internet for more effective fundraising, marketing, advocacy, event management, communications and management of constituent relationships. Convio has become the solution of choice for political campaigns at all levels -- in addition to the Dean campaign, Convio is working with two other presidential campaigns and has worked with state and local campaigns.
"The results we're getting with Convio truly show what the Internet can mean to an organization that needs to build support in all forms, including but not limited to fundraising," said Tricia Enright, Communications Director for the Dean campaign.
Political observers and news media are lauding the Dean campaign for its innovative application of Internet technology to key functions.
With Convio, political campaigns can:
-- Provide secure online processing of contributions, plus automatic
email acknowledgments and provision of IRS-compliant receipts;
-- Enable supporters to become sustaining online contributors through
monthly credit card drafts;
-- Create fresh Web page content so visitors will want to stay
engaged and return frequently to the site to see what's new;
-- Recruit constituents by inviting Web site visitors to register,
receive email communications and indicate their interests so
campaign staff members can better personalize Web and email
content;
-- Leverage supporters to raise awareness about Dean by encouraging
them to send emails asking their friends to get involved and to
contribute; and
-- Automate management of special events, such as galas, through
online registration, RSVPs and ticketing.
About Convio
Convio is the leading online Constituent Relationship Management (eCRM) company serving the nonprofit sector. Convio's offering of Internet software and services helps organizations attract, motivate and retain constituents for fundraising, marketing and advocacy as well as other forms of support and participation. Convio's product suite includes modules for Web content management, email marketing, general fundraising and membership, advocacy, special events, volunteer fundraising and also online directories and surveys. The Convio platform automatically shares data among all product modules and with offline databases, giving nonprofits a unified and more complete view of each constituent so staff can conduct personalized and targeted marketing. Convio also offers consulting services to help nonprofits adopt online marketing best practices.
In addition to political campaigns, Convio's clients include Easter Seals, American Diabetes Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, AVON Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, KCET Community Television of Southern California, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, National Trust For Historic Preservation and Georgetown University. For more information, please visit www.convio.com.
The Convio logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=340