New Research Shows Internet is Favored Way for Major Donors to Engage with Nonprofits; Reveals Online Expectations of Key Constituency Being Unmet

Tremendous Opportunities Exist= for Nonprofit Organizations to Better Engage “Wired Wealthy” Online according to Convio, Sea Change Strategies and Edge Research

AUSTIN, TEXAS (March 24, 2008) — The results of a first-of-its-kind national research study into the online behaviors and attitudes of the Wired Wealthy was announced today by Convio, Sea Change Strategies and Edge Research. The study surveyed more than 3,000 donors fro= m 23 major nonprofit organizations to determine the online behaviors and prefere= nces of one of the nonprofit sectors most important constituents. The Wired Weal= thy are identified as individuals who donate a minimum of $1,000 dollars annual= ly to a single cause and give an average of $10,896 to various charities each year, with a median gift of $4,500.

“The main theme that jumped out at us is that major donors – or the Wired Wealthy as we call them – are very active online with the intention of becoming even more so when it comes to their philanthropic support,” said Vinay Bhagat= , Founder and Chief Strategy Officer for Convio. “Based on what these important donors told us, we believe a tremendous opportunity exists for nonprofit organizations to better leverage their online presence to improve= the online experience of the wired wealthy.”

The research study began in the fall of 2007. A variety = of nonprofit sectors were represented, including: Advocacy/P= ublic Affairs, Animal Welfare, = Christian Ministries, Environ= ment, Health, International relief and development, and Public Television.= The constituency surveyed represented approximately one percent of the participating charities’ email files, but accounted for nearly 32 percent of their annual gifts.

“This was a very exciting project to be a part of,” said Pam Loeb, Principal for Edge Research = who donated their services to conduct the research. “Never before has the sector pulled together to study this donor segment. Until this time there h= as been little research on the online behaviors, experiences and expectations = of major donors and the role the Internet and electronic communication plays in their giving process. We believe this research shed some light on key strategies nonprofits can implement to better serve their constituent base.”

Major findings from the research include:

· Major and moderate donors are generous and online

o&nb= sp; The e-mail files surveyed represent one percent of the membership but 32 percen= t of the revenue for this sector

o&nb= sp; 80 percent of the wired wealthy made donations both online and offline

o&nb= sp; 72 percent say donating online is more efficient= and helps charities reduce administrative costs

o&nb= sp; 51 percent said they prefer giving online and 46 percent said that five years from now they will be making a greater portion= of their charitable gifts online

· Most charity Web sites are mis= sing opportunities to fully engage wealthy wired with their organization

o Only 40 percent said that most charity Web sites made them feel personally connected to their cause or mission

o Only 40 percent said that most charity Web sites= are inspiring

o 48 percent felt most charity Web sites are well-designed

· Email shows signs of lost oppo= rtunities to connect with various donors

o 74 percent said it was appropriate for the chari= ty to send an email reminding them to renew an annual gift

o 74 percent said that an email from the charity a= bout how their donation was spent, and what happened as a result would make them more likely to give again

o 65 percent said they always open and glance at emails from causes they support

· = Three distinct groups of donors emerged based on the extent to which= the donor sees the Internet as a source of connection between themselves and the causes

o Relationship seekers (29%) – the group most likely to connect emotionally with organizations online

o All business (30%) – not looking for a relationship or emotional connection, but a smooth and simple donation proc= ess

o Casual connectors (41%) occupy the middle ground, showing some interest in sustaining an online relationship, but also wantin= g a smooth and simple process

o Nonprofits should create and provide options that let the wired wealthy customize their online experience with the cause=

“We believe this researc= h will fundamentally shift the way some nonprofit organizations approach their relationships with major donors online,” said Mark Rovner, Principal = of SeaChange Strategies. “Because these constituents have high expectati= ons for their online engagement, the research provides important insight into t= he ways nonprofits can better connect, motivate and retain these donors. This seminal work provides a variety of different nonprofit organizations – both large and small – the tools to assess their online strategy and = make adjustments where necessary to better capture big opportunities.”

About Convio

Convio is a leading provider of on-demand constituent relationship management software and services to nonprofit organizations to enable nonprofit organizations to more effectively raise funds, influence public policy and support their missions by leveraging the Internet to build strong relationships with constituents. The Company’s online constitu= ent relationship management, or eCRM, solution includes a suite of on demand software modules for fundraising, advocacy, email marketing and Web content management complemented by a portfolio of best-in-class consulting services= .

Convio's clients include American Red Cross, American Dia= betes Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Sierra Club, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and National Public Radio. For more information, please visit www.convio= .com.

About Sea Change Strategies

Sea Change Strategies is about research = and strategy for remarkable causes. Founded in 1999, Sea Change Strategies offe= rs two kinds of integrated marketing and fundraising services for their client= s -- long-term retainers for “soup to nuts” fundraising and marketing, and

sho= rt term strategic reviews for organizations in transition, with big ambitions = or who just need an infusion of energy and ideas. To learn more, visit: www.seachangestrategies.com =

About Edge Re= search

Edge Research is a full-service custom research firm that helps nonprofits and corporations meet their strategic objectives. They for= ge strong partnerships with a select number of clients, learn their business a= nd continue to provide smart, insightful research and analysis over time. Edge Research’s adaptive app= roach, full range of services, strategic analysis and personal attention have earn= ed them long term relationships with major corporations and nonprofits across = the country. For more information, visit www.edgeresearch.com <= /span>

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