“Forward has provided us with more insight into the long term profitability of our fundraising programmes and a better way of monitoring these programmes throughout the year(s). The different templates, calculations and reports within Forward not only give us a uniform way of working, but also create more ownership and insight for the fundraisers responsible for the different programmes and channels.
One of the most beneficial parts of Forward however, I have found, is the specific questions Forward asks you when filling in new plans. Starting with the segmentation you choose and ending with the data drivers you need to fill in, like sign-up, average gift, cost per donor combined with no-show, fulfillment and retention. The honest and comprehensive image it creates of our programs throughout the current and upcoming four years, has helped us make choices on what to upscale, downscale and where and what to focus on moving forward.
Although Reinier likes to say Forward is a big calculator, I would argue it is more than that. It forces you to ask the tough questions every fundraiser needs to ask about their programmes and their profitability. It forces you to look at your programmes in a new light and to make the hard choices you need to make, in order to step up your fundraising game and aim for better results.”
Reviews
Eva van der Zee - Senior Fundraiser Loyalty & Retention, Greenpeace Netherlands
“Our integration of last year's fundraising plan and investments into the tool proved to be a game-changer as we actively monitored our progress throughout the year. While there was an initial learning curve in adapting to Forward's distinct structure compared to our database, the effort invested in inputting variables for various segments paid off remarkably. We now find ourselves examining data that was previously inaccessible, and the insights gained have proven to be truly invaluable.
The distinctive feature of Forward, allowing us to project five years into the future, has provided us with crucial insights into the long-term profitability of specific programs. This foresight has empowered us to make informed choices about our investments, and the monthly actuals input has translated into realistic end-of-year forecasts. Reinier's quarterly meetings were instrumental in providing essential data insights, identifying areas requiring further analysis, and guiding us with targeted questions to enhance our decision-making process.”
Jessica de Gier - Database Marketeer, Leprastichting
“To gain a comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of the decisions made in designing a healthy and well-founded fundraising mix, Forward is an excellent tool.
It provides a solid foundation for quickly comparing and contrasting different scenarios. The output in clear tables and graphs ensures that the overall strategy is visually clear, even for non-fundraising professionals. This is particularly useful, for example, in supporting a Board of Trustees.
Within our team, we have adopted the tool to become more data-driven, allowing fundraisers to have better control and insight into the dynamics of underlying variables. By establishing these variables together, we can collaborate on improving quality and gaining insights. This approach fosters a better understanding within the team of the holistic objectives that extend beyond a budget and long-term vision.”
Fernando van der Brug - Director Private Fundraising, Simavi