More than a decade ago, when Lancaster-based Giftworks was a startup known as Mission Research, the software options available for non-profits to manage their fundraising were pricey and hard to use.
Since the 2006 release of its software, Giftworks has earned the trust of more than 10,000 nonprofits and is a fraction of the cost of what competitors like Sage or Raiser's Edge can offer. Beyond that, Giftworks' ease of use and its “SmartLists” functionality have made it a favorite for savvy fundraisers.
The ultimate validation came two months ago when Virginia-based merchant solutions provider FrontStream acquired Giftworks. FrontStream is a huge operation that boasts more than $1.6 billion of committed capital under management and is backed by Arsenal Capital Partners, a leading New York-based private equity group.
This move goes beyond expanding our market share; we are enhancing our ability to contribute to the advancement of meaningful causes and, to that end, we will continue to find new and creative ways to serve nonprofits and the donors that support them,” said Steve Fafel, GiftWorks’ Chief Executive Officer.
Giftworks has received more than $300,000 in funding from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania, and is one of the Program’s brightest success stories. The company has continued to grow and evolve and its socially responsible ethos has carried over into its second decade. The company routinely offers webinars that aim to help nonprofits on a variety of fronts and its blog helps keep clients up to date on new features and methods to take advantage of the software's many add-ons.