Joined on 02-02-2005
TechSoup Member
Our group is looking for an online advocacy solution which allows our 4,000 members to go on the web, fill out a form, and have their message sent as a fax to public officials, companies, et al.
In the past, we have partnered with larger groups who share our goals, who have set up their own Action Alert (through GetActive) which we then drove our members to with emails. We would prefer to do this ourselves, naturally.
GetActive, however, tells me they only can provide a full package -- i.e., their entire suite of services including integrated database, donation as well as the advocacy module. This costs $12,000 up front and $1,000 per month.
As we are quite happy with our existing database and online donation services, we are thus looking exclusively for an affordable vendor who can provide an Advocacy module as a standalone product.
Suggestions? I've put in calls to Groundspring and Kintera, but I suspect there may be some smaller and more affordable options out there. Thanks!
Joined on 05-29-2002
TechSoup Member
I'm looking for something similar, for about 700 members. Actually need two tiers - 700 is the broader membership base, 40 is the more limited action alert base. This is for a small temple congregation with an active social action committee. If anyone knows of solutions for something this small, that would be really great... THANK YOU... very very low budget... things like GetActive are awesome but way out of our price range... THANKS
For affordable ASP advocacy services, you might check out DemocracyInAction @ democracyinaction.org They have a very capable and proven platform and are a non-profit themselves. Their pricing is very reasonable.
John Lorance
CompuMentor/TechSoup
Joined on 12-30-2003
TechSoup Member
if you are just looking for advocacy, try Cap-Wiz. It does not give you the mobilization tools but it does help to craft the campaign.
http://civicspacelabs.org/home/civicspace/features
Check out CivicSpace, for your web-based online advocacy needs. Also, this list of
Online Advocacy development tools may be useful to you.
HTH,
Susan
Joined on 03-07-2004
TechSoup Member
We hear this same issue about GetActive pricing time and time again. As a GetActive competitor I do highly recommend DIA (democracy in action). I know we are less expensive than GetActive and I would be willing to talk to you if you want to email me off list. Heck, as I always say my opinion is free... you just may not always agree with it :)
Jordan
Joined on 06-14-2005
TechSoup Member
Hi All,
During my work in non-profits in the UK, I came across some very nifty post-code based open source platforms. Why spend money on Kintera when you can implement it yourself for free?
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/
http://www.writetothem.com/
The folks at http://www.mysociety.org/ who built it voluntarily could probably use your cash infusion more than Kintera.
Yours, Dennis
Joined on 05-13-2005
TechSoup Member
Try actionstudio.org. It's a stand alone advocacy module (the same one groundspring.org used to offer)--we've been happy with the service.
It's $50/mo, plus one cent per email sent. Currently, there's no setup fee.
Joined on 06-14-2005
TechSoup Member
I'm the developer of Groundspring's AdvocacyNow and recently took the project back into the fold of ActionStudio when Groundspring discontinued the service.
I've revamped the ActionStudio Web site (http://www.actionstudio.org) to provide a full description of our services.
You can get many of the features of GetActive for a fraction of the price.
For a limited time, there is no set up fee. Monthly fee is $49.99 + applicable message fees (email .01 or fax .20).
We provide an easy to use Web service interface to manage your campaigns including invitations, zip code to district matching for state and federal candidates, or just targeting critical decision makers.
We also have a number of special features such as pre-delivery message review and tell a friend.
Visit http://www.actionstudio.org for more information or email me at support@actionstudio.org