Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired — Goodwill

The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired — Goodwill Uses The Raiser’s Edge to Maximize Fundraising Efficiency and Further Its Mission

Since its founding in 1911, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) — Goodwill has worked to “prepare and empower people who are blind or visually impaired to be self-sufficient and contribute to their families and communities.” With an emphasis on this mission of empowerment, the Association aids the blind and visually impaired in obtaining the skills and confidence they need to live their lives to the fullest. In 1994, The Association teamed up with Goodwill Industries International; the relationship has enhanced both organizations’ ability to offer employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and has generated vital resources to help fund the the Association mission. Today, ABVI-Goodwill spans nine counties in the state of New York.

The Challenge:

• With approximately 70,000 records, the Association’s database had outgrown its previous software and was no longer able to manage such a large quantity of data.
• Staff members at the Association were still collecting data, but their software was not powerful or dynamic enough to handle the sheer amount of records, and it could not be used as a tool with the capability to apply their numbers.
• Additionally, the Association desired a software partner that was compatible with JAWS, a screen-reading software application that speaks the text on the screen, allowing the computer to “talk” to a blind user.

The Solution:

• The Association chose The Raiser’s Edge because they wanted to not only capture data but also utilize it as a tool to further their mission.
• Services from Target Analytics give the Association's staff members the ability to better understand donors and prospects to improve interactions with these constituents. This has also helped them gain new donors in support of the Association's mission.
• Recently, the Association added RE:Event, and the module has made them more proficient in organizing, managing, and executing their fundraising events.

The Results:

• The Raiser’s Edge has helped increase fundraising, and the additional funds have been applied to the Association’s services, which include a low vision center, adaptive technology, adult recreation programs, and assistance with rehabilitation, orientation, and mobility.
• Compatibility with The Raiser’s Edge and JAWS has allowed the Association to live its own mission by employing people who are blind or visually impaired. Staff members have also developed a variety of entrepreneurial business initiatives to support the organization's mission.