Finder Number Settings

A finder number is a unique, sequential number assigned to each record in a marketing effort. Finder numbers provide an identifier for each list name in the finder file or acquisition list, as well as each constituent in a house mailing. Finder numbers are typically printed on the reply device A reply device is the piece of paper that the donor returns with their donation. This reply device includes the donor’s name and address, ask ladder information, donation amount, other donor options. The most important piece of information on this reply device is the pre-printed source code and constituent ID. In the program this is the finder number which indicates exactly which marketing solicitation the donor has responded to so the organization can measure the success of that marketing solicitation. In addition, the finder number automatically pulls the donor information into batches so you do not have to re-key or look-up the donor by name and address. and can be formatted for barcode scanners. Using finder numbers for prospects and current donors ensures greater accuracy and efficiency when entering responses to marketing efforts. During gift entry, users enter or scan the finder number and the batch automatically populates the donor’s name, address, and source code.

In Configuration, specify the first number of the finder number sequence and the number of characters available. These settings are typically configured once and never changed. However, the settings are editable if you need to make a change such as increasing the number of characters in the Fixed Width field.

When you calculate segment counts, the program automatically assigns a finder number to every record in the marketing effort using the next available number in the sequence. On the Finder Numbers tab of a marketing effort, you can reserve a range of finder numbers for a vendor or for internal use with imported lists.