Longtime fundraising software provider acquires fundraising services startup to transform capacity building for good
WASHINGTON, DC – April 14, 2015 – Network for Good, a nonprofit-owned B Corporation that provides fundraising software for small and mid-sized nonprofits, today announced an expansion of services to help organizations achieve sustainability through better fundraising results. The acquisition of Chicago-based firm DonorPath brings tech-enabled virtual fundraising expertise to the Network for Good platform and to the vast market of small nonprofits in need.
“We are excited to welcome DonorPath to Network for Good,” said Bill Strathmann, Network for Good’s chief executive officer. “We know that thousands of small nonprofits are in need of more than just training and fundraising software. If we’re going to help nonprofits get on a path to sustainability we need to offer them strategic guidance and tactical advice from fundraising experts at an affordable price. DonorPath has figured out how to do that by leveraging technology and drawing from a network of 30,000 fundraising experts. Now Network for Good can help DonorPath reach thousands of organizations to take advantage of this kind of service and couple it with best-in-class software to get dramatically better results.”
“While much of the U.S. economy has experienced a steady recovery from 2008’s ‘Great Recession,’ many of the nation’s small nonprofits have not. The same organizations experiencing increased demand for their services have also seen deep cuts in the funding required to provide them. Small, community-based nonprofits must find new ways to generate and sustain revenues without increasing expenses, which is a tall order,” said Brian Lauterbach, founder and CEO of DonorPath. “DonorPath is seeing a 50% lift in funds raised by the nonprofits we serve, so it’s thrilling to now be part of Network for Good, which has already built a network with tens of thousands of small nonprofits.”
This acquisition positions Network for Good to be a stronger partner for foundations and the nonprofits they support.
Strathmann added, “This is also an amazing opportunity for us join with community foundations to help them fuel the capacity-building movement. We have always infused our fundraising insight and expertise into our software—adding DonorPath’s services will allow us to take that to the next level with our own customers and with grantees of community foundations across the country.”
This summer, the now-merged companies will introduce two initiatives with a national scope that directly support the capacity building activities and funding programs currently being delivered by foundations: the Fundraising Readiness Project, designed to help nonprofits create a right-sized 12-month fundraising plan and engage their board; and the Giving Day After Project, designed to help nonprofits retain new donors and sustain the momentum created for one day of giving for the next 364 days.
The company will serve tens of thousands of charities and employ over 72 people in Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, Indianapolis, and San Francisco. This acquisition adds virtual fundraising services and plan management to Network for Good’s existing offering of donation pages, peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, event ticketing, email marketing, and donor management. DonorPath will become a Network for Good company, with DonorPath founder Lauterbach joining as vice president of impact and capacity building.
DonorPath customers will continue to be serviced by DonorPath staff and experts. Network for Good staff will continue to service Network for Good customers. The DonorPath product will be integrated with Network for Good’s existing software platform in phases over several months, focused on guaranteeing the best experience for nonprofit clients.
