March 16, 2021   //   Not-For-Profit   //   By PKF Mueller Solutions

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This is one of those Believe It or Not stories: A charity generated solicitation letters from a computerized database. One letter addressed to a state Humane Society stated: “Dear Miss Society.”

Whoops! On the surface, member or database management may seem like an impersonal admin function, but how it’s handled can have a profound impact on your relationship with donors.

You’ve probably not seen most of the people listed in your database. But these faceless members and potential donors deserve to be valued, respected and protected. You don’t want to drive anyone away with sloppy database management.

Here are some tips to prevent problems:

1. Review the role of your database manager. Is the person an integral part of your organization or consulted only when a donor calls to complain about a triplicate mailing? How do you communicate complaints that come via phone, email or regular mail? If your method is to forward the email or stick notes on the person’s chair, it’s time to develop a more systematic approach and communicate to everyone who needs to know.

2. Update snail mailing lists. Regularly have a licensee of the National Change of Address (http://nationalchangeofaddress.com) process your lists to find the names of people who have moved or passed away. It’s estimated that at least 8% of all U.S. mail is undeliverable because of incorrect addresses. This means lost donations and wasted money.

Moreover, when someone receives a letter from you addressed to a person who hasn’t lived there for years or one that contains misspellings, your reputation may start to suffer. The recipients may start to think your organization is careless and wonder if that lack of attention spills into the way you handle your finances. You can see how easy it is for sloppy database management to erode relationships.

3. Turn complaints to your advantage. When a member makes a request or complaint, follow up with a phone call or e-mail. If a donor complains about mailings in triplicate, wait a month or so, then call to find out if the problem has been corrected.

4. Respect their wishes. If donors ask to be removed from your mailing list, inactivate the file but don’t purge their names and addresses. Perhaps they’ll start supporting you again in the future. You certainly don’t want to send them communications that go to current members. But by leaving the history of their past donations in your database, you’ll have a record of their past support.

Relationship building is one of the most important functions of member database management.

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