Convio Unveils Nonprofit Sector’s Most Comprehensive Study of Online Trends; Online Tools Continue to Drive Value in Today’s Economy

AUSTIN, Texas, March 23, 2009 — Convio, Inc., today announced the results of its annual Convio Online Marketing Nonprofit Benchmark Index Study. Viewed by many as the de facto standard for measuring online results for nonprofits, this year’s study indicates that online engagement — whether it is fundraising, advocacy or building a constituent database — continues to see positive growth even in a down economy.

“Compared to traditional marketing and engagement channels, online marketing and fundraising held up well. The study results prove that online marketing should be a key component of any nonprofit organization’s strategy to raise money, empower constituents and build a solid database of donors and supporters.”

“Results from the 2008 study indicate that online engagement continues to play a vital role for nonprofits, especially in this economy,” said Gene Austin, chief executive officer of Convio. “Compared to traditional marketing and engagement channels, online marketing and fundraising held up well. The study results prove that online marketing should be a key component of any nonprofit organization’s strategy to raise money, empower constituents and build a solid database of donors and supporters.”

The study is designed to help nonprofit professionals evaluate beneficial online marketing metrics, evaluate the effectiveness of their organization compared to similar organizations and determine strategies for future success. This year’s study analyzes data compiled from 597 nonprofit organizations, representing millions of online interactions and transactions from Convio’s Software as a Service (SaaS) system. The study aggregates results into benchmarks that nonprofit organizations can compare against their peer group and the industry as a whole. In addition the study provides separate benchmarks for 14 nonprofit industry sub-groups, or verticals across 21 key metrics.

“The value of this type of data for Convio’s clients and the nonprofit community as a whole is remarkable,” said Holly Ross, executive director of NTEN, a membership organization of nonprofit professionals who put technology to use for their causes. "Convio, with their SaaS-model, is uniquely positioned to provide this data. And with a decade of expertise as well as a strong network of partners, they're able to help organizations analyze the information, turning it into actionable strategies and tactics that drive fundraising and advocacy results.”