Salvation Army looks to Blackbaud for CRM

The Salvation Army Southern Territory (TSAS) has tapped Blackbaud Enterprise CRM to support its fundraising and outreach efforts.

Previously, TSAS had been using a manually intensive data system, which was inefficient and difficult for employees. Blackbaud will help TSAS simplify its processes for direct marketing, planned giving, constituent events and volunteer coordination. The Territory's goal is to consolidate all constituent data and gain a 360-degree view of the people in its database, improve its reporting and create more transparency and coordination among workers.

“It was not only the technology that led us to Blackbaud, but their people and their expertise with federated organizations,” said Max Feener, commissioner of TSAS, in a statement. “Blackbaud has the experience to support integrated fundraising for large organizations and the knowledge to help us spread best practices throughout the Territory.”

Although the Salvation Army, at a national level, raised $2 billion in 2007, current economic trends have taken their toll on the philanthropy's 2008 efforts, and requests for aid have grown.

“When disasters occur and economic times are tough, people depend on The Salvation Army to provide essential services and support,” Marc Chardon, CEO of Blackbaud said in a statement. “With Blackbaud Enterprise CRM, the Territory will achieve the highest levels of operational efficiency and fiscal transparency and will be able to attain an executive level view of supporters throughout the Territory — which is essential for effective disaster relief management.”

TSAS serves 15 southeastern states and the District of Columbia. Nationally, the Salvation Army assisted close to 29 million Americans in 2007.