How streamlined donor tools helped raise 170% of a fundraising goal
Key Nonprofit Highlights
The Lansing Area AIDS Network (LAAN) serves Michigan’s capital region by providing HIV prevention, education, testing, medical case management, and wraparound services for individuals living with HIV, as well as behavioral health services for the HIV-positive and broader queer community. LAAN overcame challenges with donor management, event logistics, and staff usability by switching to Bloomerang’s Giving Platform. The platform streamlined donor tracking, simplified event management, and provided an intuitive user experience for staff and donors alike. LAAN’s 40th anniversary event raised $17,000—170% of their goal—thanks to efficient tools and improved donor engagement. Bloomerang proved to be an easy-to-use and budget-friendly solution, helping LAAN enhance fundraising efforts and better serve their mission.
Challenge
From spreadsheets and frustration to streamlined donor management
The Lansing Area AIDS Network faced significant challenges with their previous donor management system, an ineffective platform that made tracking donors cumbersome and unreliable. Even conducting simple tasks like verifying donation histories or consolidating information was frustrating for staff. “And before that system, we just had a spreadsheet with information on it,” explained Kristina Schmidgall, Executive Director. “It wasn’t very easy to access, so we wanted to put everything in one spot.”
On top of that, the LAAN team sought efficient tools to streamline ticket sales and event check-ins to avoid logistical headaches like misplaced tickets. Additionally, LAAN required an accessible system that was user-friendly enough for staff who weren’t well-versed in fundraising software. The turning point came when LAAN, following guidance from a grant-funded consultant, decided to reassess their system. The fundraising consultant recommended Bloomerang, highlighting how its features could cater to the organization’s needs while remaining budget-friendly.
Solution
Bloomerang: An easy-to-use platform for staff and donors alike
Bloomerang’s Giving Platform emerged as the ideal choice for LAAN. The seamless migration of donor data from their previous platform allowed efficient consolidation into one centralized location. LAAN immediately experienced the benefits of this transformation. Staff could effortlessly search donation histories and access critical donor information, erasing the stress of navigating through scattered spreadsheets. “One of the things I can do when I get a donation or a call from someone is look and see, ‘Have they donated before?’” said Schmidgall.
Reflecting on their journey, LAAN’s leadership expressed pride in how Bloomerang’s Giving Platform helped refine their fundraising efforts. “I feel like our old software was confusing, frustrating, and not super user friendly,” Schmidgall emphasized. “I am a social worker by trade, and fundraising was my weakest area when I began. Bloomerang has been so helpful, a lot less hassle, and it just makes fundraising easier.” The platform’s intuitive design enabled every LAAN team member to succeed, from seasoned fundraisers to those new to donor management. “Our staff can start with the Bloomerang training videos, and if you still need help, you can contact customer service,” shared Schmidgall. “It’s been easy for our staff to use and has been reported as very user-friendly by donors too.”
Events also became easier to manage with Bloomerang’s peer-to-peer fundraising and ticketing tools. For their 40th anniversary fundraiser, LAAN was able to enhance the attendee experience and eliminate many operational challenges associated with physical tickets. The addition of QR code functionality enabled real-time donations during live events, providing a modern and efficient alternative to traditional payment methods.
Results
LAAN raised 170% of their goal with Bloomerang’s Giving Platform
The impact of Bloomerang’s Giving Platform was immediate and transformative. With an initial goal of $10,000, LAAN’s 40th anniversary event raised $17,000—a 70% increase over their target. This achievement was fueled by streamlined ticket sales, efficient donation form processing, and the platform’s ability to integrate silent auction contributions seamlessly. With sponsor donations and the elimination of the high overhead costs typically tied to extravagant galas, LAAN was able to redirect those funds to support their mission. Leveraging donation histories and event attendance records also allowed for more effective conversations with donors, encouraging further support and sponsorships.
Bloomerang’s Giving Platform didn’t just meet expectations for LAAN—it surpassed them. Not only did the platform enable LAAN to expand their database and exceed event goals, but its reliability and widespread use among nonprofits reinforced that they were in good company. “I’m part of a group of fellow nonprofit executive directors, and I found out almost everyone was using Bloomerang,” said Schmidgall. “I definitely recommend it to people—it’s popular for a reason.”
