Overview of DevComm
See below: helpful pieces of info you may need in DevCommThe Development & Communications Department (we lovingly call it "DevComm") is the primary fundraising and communications arm of Vote Smart.
Development: We process all of the incoming money, including: grants from charitable foundations (handled by RK), donations from private citizens, and incoming money via Vote Smart's API. We are also responsible for maintaining our database of members in DonorPerfect, and we respond to questions, complaints, and material requests from members and potential members. We also handle all member correspondence through the mail and email, which includes sending thank you letters to our donors every 2 weeks.
Communications: We handle all external communications, including: social media, email marketing, creating blog content, pitching the media and promoting PVS through the media, and creating promotional materials. We are also responsible for website management, including updating the Ad Square, updating information on communications-related web pages, and monitoring Google Analytics and Ad Words.
DevComm Tasks are managed in the DevComm Tasks Sheet
Historically, the Development & Communications Department has provided somewhat more than half of the funds used by the Project in any given year. The fundraising efforts of the Department have historically been centered on direct mail appeals to prospective and current members. The following table shows the amount of money raised by the Development & Communications Department since the inception of the Project (not including donations made from large foundations such as Pew, Knight, and Ford.)
| Year | Total Income Derived Through the Development & Communications Department |
|---|---|
| 1989 | $40,003.73 |
| 1990 | $170,121.53 |
| 1991 | $224,195.43 |
| 1992 | $945,321.89 |
| 1993 | $423,945.21 |
| 1994 | $764,454.72 |
| 1995 | $999,886.31 |
| 1996 | $945,966.37 |
| 1997 | $888,155.01 |
| 1998 | $1,192,257.48 |
| 1999 | $1,078,925.97 |
| 2000 | $1,146,219.79 |
| 2001 | $1,131,460.22 |
| 2002 | $1,078,165.47 |
| 2003 | $1,022,672.69 |
| 2004 | $1,245,599.75 |
| 2005 | $1,114,184.68 |
| 2006 | $1,192,391.83 |
| 2007 | $974,775.05 |
| 2008 | $1,044,837.27 |
| 2009 | $1,478,092.27 |
| 2010 | $890,760 |
| 2011 | $908,684 |
| 2012 | $1,230,212.23 |
| 2013 | $1,013,005.84 |
| 2014 | $1,856,669.32 |
| 2015 | $1,066,218.21 |
| 2016 | $1,082,019.46 |
Random Tidbits of Information you may need for DevComm:
Our EIN #: is 85-0364261Renewal Dates:
2016: December 3, 2015
2017: November 30, 2016
2018: December 6, 2017
2019: December 3, 2018
2020: December 9, 2019
2021: November 11, 2020
Ad Square Dimensions:
Desktop Ad Square Dimensions: 950px x 560px
Mobile Ad Square Dimensions: 320px x 300px
Social Media Posts Dimensions: 940px x 788px
Letterhead Dimensions:
Top: 1.50
Bottom: 1.50
Left: 1.70
Right: .50
Correct CRID: #22085687 and is under the name “Project Vote Smart”
Password for Safe:
Ask Director
*Away from your desk? Make sure the safe is locked!
Clipperz:
In safe
John Floyd:
AKA Direct
503-467-2229
Evergreen@AKADirect.com
Current DonorPerfect Account Manager (as of April 2017):
Paula Burns
866-410-4439
pburns@softerware.com
IContact Account Manager (as of November 2020)
Paige Madtes
scarroll@icontact.com
919.957.6233
IContact Technical Support:
866.331.3207
Wells Fargo CEO Helpline:
1-800-289-3557
Example API Call:
http://api.votesmart.org/CandidateBio.getBio?key=bbad23b6fa27737fd5b2e4655d4ac673&candidateId=9490
Site for sharing secure information: https://ncry.pt
It allows you to enter whatever text you want in the big box.
- Set the info to "Expire in" "one-time only".
- Check the "Assign a password" box. Come up with a password and enter it.
- Click submit (you could add a file if you really needed to, but that's typically not the case).
- Once you've submitted, it will give you a pop up with a link.
Handling Membership@:
Alert Richard if emails come in from any of the following entities:
- Major Foundations (not DAF’s or community foundations)
- Founding board members
- Anyone who specifically addresses Richard by name
Interview requests? Forward to Adelaide and see how she wants to handle. Visit Handling Interview Requests
Interested in legacy gift, IRA’s, stock gifts, etc: forward to Adelaide. Also visit Unusual Donations you may receive
Research related question? Forward to research director (research@votesmart.org)
Handling Richard:
- If you aren’t sure about something, ASK. If you made a mistake, TELL Richard. There is no use in hiding anything from RK or trying to do things on your own. Just openly communicate.
- Even if you aren’t sure how to respond to an email, or need time to figure it out, let Richard know that it was received. Ex. “Thanks Richard, I will get back to you.”
- Make sure that people do not EVER get the same thank you letter twice.
- Make sure donations are data entered correctly and records are personalized.
- Do not send him an info sheet with errors on it.
Submitting an event to the AP Calendar
Email event information to news@applanner.com
Follow up by calling 212-621-1500
