Read Group offers charities free data services

by Nikki Sandison, Brand Republic 10-Jun-08, 16:30

LONDON - The Read Group is inviting UK registered charities to apply for free data cleansing and consultancy, worth £25,000 over a 12-month period, through its charity data bursary.

Mark Roy, the Read Group's CEO, said that charity direct mail complaints to the Fundraising Standards Board are hitting an alarming high and that Read feels compelled to offer some database management assistance.

All UK registered charities are eligible to be considered for the bursary, which will apply to a suite of Read Group products including the Gone Away Suppression File, Xpression and The Bereavement Register.

Interested charities can apply online. Priority will be given to charitable organisations that currently do not use any data cleansing and/or bureau services but all submissions will be considered.

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday July 18. Representatives from the Read Group will select the successful recipient in association with UK Fundraising, the online resource for fundraisers, which will announce the winner on August 8.

Howard Lake, UK Fundraising's publisher, said: "Accurate supporter data is an essential component of successful fundraising. The Read Group's charity data bursary is therefore a valuable opportunity for one charity to ensure it can catch up with best practice and enjoy even greater direct mail fundraising success."

Roy said: "We're cognisant of the considerable financial and technical constraints faced by charity and volunteer organisations, so it's time to stop hollering from the sidelines and muck in to help make life easier and more efficient for fundraisers, I've decided."

Comments

Scott Logie - 17/06/2008

Whilst the ReAD Group's bursary goes some way towards the commendable goal of raising the importance of suppression (although, let us not forget that Mr Roy is talking about his suppression products, and his only....), I can't help but wonder if the effects will be short lived? There's no doubt that following the bursary, the lucky charity will continue on the cost-effective path towards long-term and effective data management, but what about the others?

The focus should be placed on educating charities, regardless of size or sophistication, on how to develop a tailored approach for their data management, both for today's climate but also for long term ambition. Alongside this, there needs to be a clear and concise directory of all the tools, products and service providers out there who can support charities working towards these goals.

The Institute of Fundraising, Fundraising Standards Board, DMA and a whole host of bodies regulate fundraising and marketing practice. The information, best practice and advice is too fragmented. To make meaningful and lasting change here we all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet with holistic and comparable advice provided by all. That doesn't mean that one provider shouts the loudest, it means an impartial, independent service is available. Let's make it easier for the charities to adopt change and we'll soon see those complaints drop.