LANCASTER, Pa., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Research, maker of GiftWorks(TM), the fastest growing fundraising software for nonprofits, announces the release of two new add-ins to GiftWorks fundraising software: GiftWorks Events and GiftWorks Online Donations. These two optional add-ins to GiftWorks give nonprofits new ways to maximize their fundraising success in challenging economic times.

According to the Mal Warwick Associates, a fundraising consultancy to nonprofits, between 1967 and 2007, the average inflation-adjusted rate of growth in giving to charities was 2.8% during recessions and 4.3% in years of growth. In 1987, giving actually declined by 1%. So history shows that in the best case, the current recession will slow the rate in giving significantly, and in the worst case, the rate of giving may decline.

Mary Pat Donnellon, Executive Vice President of GiftWorks says, "Nonprofits are asking themselves how they'll weather this economic storm. For many, the answer is to do everything possible to get the best results from their fundraising efforts." New GiftWorks Events and Online Donations are meant to give nonprofits new ways to succeed at fundraising during these challenging times.

GiftWorks Events is an optional add-in to GiftWorks 2008 Standard or Premium fundraising software. It lets users track event participants, measure event revenue, record expenses, and manage event tasks. The result is a closer relationship with potential donors and fewer missed solicitation opportunities. Duke Speer of Apogee Consultants, a consultant to nonprofits and an early user of GiftWorks Events, says, "I can't tell you how many times I have seen annual dinner reservations managed with Excel. By the week of the event, the spreadsheets are full of disorganized notes and there's confusion about which reservations are confirmed and which are tentative." Speer goes on to say, "Avoiding just one embarrassment with a regular donor pays for the software." Each perpetual license for GiftWorks Events costs $299 and works as an add-in to GiftWorks 2008 Standard or Premium fundraising software.

Online Donations is another optional add-in to GiftWorks 2008 Standard or Premium. It offers nonprofits an easy way of collecting donations through their websites -- an opportunity that is growing dramatically as the online interaction between donors and organizations grows. After buying the service, nonprofit organizations activate it in three steps: 1) Set up a merchant account where donations are deposited; 2) Choose a donation web page from a library of templates (or create their own); 3) Add a "donate now" button to their website. Once donations are collected, they can be downloaded into GiftWorks with just a few clicks. GiftWorks Online Donation also accepts recurring donations.

Donnellon says, "There are a number of online donation solutions in the marketplace, but our customers are asking for a solution that integrates with GiftWorks. Plus, they want to accept recurring donations on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. Regular giving programs are among the best ways for nonprofits to increase their donations." GiftWorks Online Donations has a set up fee of $149, a monthly fee of $29.99 and transaction fees of around 3.5% depending on payment method. Currently it is available to US-based nonprofits.

Mission Research is a socially responsible software company focused on serving the nonprofit and small business sectors with contact, customer and donor management software that's affordably-priced and easy to learn and use. Started in 2002, the company launched GiftWorks fundraising software in 2004. Today GiftWorks has over 7,000 customers and is endorsed by leading State Nonprofit Associations including the Council of Community Services of New York State (CCSNYS) and the Florida Association of Nonprofits Organizations (FANO). GiftWorks is supported by nearly 700 consultants around the world. GiftWorks fundraising software, as well as new Events and Online Donations, can be purchased at http://www.MissionResearch.com. Mission Research can be reached at http://www.missionresearch.com, (717)-431-0200 x 121, or info@missionresearch.com

Mission Research

Mission Research

Mission Research provides nonprofits with productive, affordable solutions. Mission Research GiftWorks delivers easy, complete, and affordable fundraising and donor management. Partners include Intuit, Avery, The United Way of America, NTEN, TechSoup and CompassMentor. The company is headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with offices in San Francisco. Mission Research can be reached at www.missionresearch.com,, 1-717-431-0200, or info@missionresearch.com.

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