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"All I have to say is... thank God we hired Robert Weiner
to help us navigate the treacherous waters of database options,
assessment and selection! He provided us a clear and objective road map
that kept us on task and on time!"
Nancy Trish Calderon
Assistant Vice President, Development
Santa Clara University
"We hired Robert to conduct a donor database needs assessment
and to guide us through the subsequent selection process. Robert’s combined
knowledge of fundraising best practices, information technology systems,
and the ever-changing market for donor databases made him an extremely valuable
resource during this time. Robert also has the admirable ability to convey complex
information to a broad audience without alienating anyone in the process.
I always looked forward to asking Robert critical questions, and I never doubted
that he would provide an informed response. I strongly recommend Robert for your
database assessment and selection needs. You won't be disappointed!"
David Jaeger
Development Operations Manager
Earthjustice
"We first engaged Robert to help us reach consensus
on how to improve the database that we had been struggling with for several years.
With his guidance, we were able to agree that we really needed to find a new
solution. He then helped us identify and agree on that solution. He helped
craft RFPs for our prospective vendors that, first, really captured the
critical issues for our organization, and second, forced the vendors to
respond in an "apples to apples" manner, which helped the decision process
tremendously. Robert was a supportive, enthusiastic, and knowlegable
facilitator of this process and his approach helped us achieve critical
buy-in from all departments throughout the process, which I'm very pleased
to say, resulted in a successful migration to a much more robust and
dynamic database that should serve our needs for many years to come."
David C. Miller
Director of Operations and Finance
SFJAZZ
"Robert is perhaps the best organized, most professional
consultant with whom I have ever worked. He helped a small nonprofit with which
I volunteer select a new Application Service Provider to provide online membership
services. His attention to detail was amazing, and his ability to keep us on schedule
was calming. He researched options, recommended selection criteria, and facilitated
our group decision making process with a calm ease that I hope to someday mirror
as a consultant myself. As a result of our new website, our membership has doubled
in the last year. A++ rating all around!"
Gayle Roberts
Fundraising Consultant
Gayle Roberts Fundraising for Nonprofits
“Florida State University hired Robert to assist in selection
of a new Advancement database. He guided us through the needs assessment process,
made difficult by the fact we were merging academic and athletic fundraising units.
He was able to work with the divergent campus groups and guide them to a common
purpose. He was tremendously helpful in identifying vendors, creating demonstration
scripts and evaluation forms. The result of his professional approach was a
software selection and, as important, the uniting of 5 campus groups on a single
software decision."
Marilyn Spores
Vice President
Florida State University Foundation
"Robert helped us turn our 'technologically maladroit'
Development Office into a competent, successful fundraising machine! We
recently reported our holiday appeal numbers to the finance committee,
and my reports were professional, easy to understand, and informative,
thanks to the new fund raising software that Robert helped us choose. Now our
Board sees the benefits of spending money on technology, and for the first time
in our organization’s history, we are creating a professional marketing strategy
based on actual numbers, not guesswork. It’s been a huge success, and we’re grateful
for Robert’s wise counsel."
Christine Paquette
Director of Development
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County
"Robert was hired by the ADRP Board of Directors to provide
professional guidance in choosing membership and recruitment software that will
meet our growing association’s needs. His expert advice and thoughtful
recommendations helped the Board easily navigate through some very difficult
technical decisions. From undertaking a thorough needs assessment to scripting
vendor demonstrations, Robert delivered exactly what he promised, when
he promised, within budget. The Board could not be more pleased by our
decision to work with Robert."
Rose Dalba
President
Association of Donor Relations Professionals
"Robert was wonderful to work with. For those of us involved
in the decision making process, but not well versed on the technical aspects,
he was able to translate the technical components for us in a way we could
all understand. He was thorough, professional and discreet."
Britt Cocanour
Chief of Staff
EMILY's List
"Marin Agricultural Land Trust hired Robert Weiner to assist us with
the selection of a new fundraising database. Robert’s analytical skills, knowledge of the
industry, and good counsel were invaluable in helping us make the right decision for
our needs. His database demo script was the most thorough I’ve ever seen – and he
played a critical role in our interviews with vendors. I would highly
recommend Robert, and would be happy to provide a reference for him."
Rita Cummings
Development Director
Marin Agricultural Land Trust
"Robert was able to evaluate our development needs and
provide us with a framework that was easy to use to make our final software
selection. He was a pleasure to work with and we got great results."
Marcie Storch
Director of Development
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
"Mothers Against Drunk Driving retained Robert while I was the national Director of
Development and Marketing. Robert gave us a
thoughtful and pragmatic assessment of our
data management issues and helped us think through our options.
He provided guidance on the operational, technical, financial, and cultural
issues involved in addressing our issues at a national level. I would not
hesitate to call on him again."
Robert Heard
Associate Executive Director
American College of Emergency Physicians
"I hired Robert when I was the national Development Director
at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Robert delivers thoughtful,
insightful and empowering observations and recommendations. He blends
his knowledge of technology, data management and fundraising to identify the
best solutions for the situation and resources. Robert is a master at
communicating concepts and helping to translate those concepts into reality.
I would highly recommend Robert!"
Kristy Hensel
(Former) Director of Development
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
"Robert provided expert guidance as we evaluated donor databases and
negotiated with
the chosen vendor. The project was well under way when he came on board,
but he was able to get up to speed almost instantly. He helped us
understand the pros and cons of various approaches and counseled us on
potential pitfalls. His approach was very effective. He acted as a
consultant - providing guidance without a pre-determined solution. I felt
like we were in the driver's seat; Robert was the navigator."
Lance Henderson
(Former) Acting Executive Director
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
"Robert was able to evaluate and articulate effectively our
specialized development technology needs. Having him a part of the
process with our marketing and information services staff helped us find
a better solution. He provides a great service."
Ann E. Root
Director of National Development
The Trust for Public Land
"As a new university our funds are limited. I was very impressed with
Robert's analysis of our requirements and his cost effective
recommendations. I am pleased to say that his consulting assignment
was completed on time and in a very professional manner. We now have a
system
in place that meets our current needs and is expandable to accommodate
our
growth in the future."
Michael Campbell
Associate Vice Chancellor for Development
UC Merced
"Robert delivered a thoughtful assessment of our organization’s
database situation and helped us understand what our next steps should be. Robert’s work was
thorough and timely. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to any organization trying to come to
terms with technology and how to make it work for them."
Mary Beth Smith
Director of Marketing and Communications
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
"At the start of our capital campaign, we asked Robert to
conduct an
assessment of the UM Foundation's technology. We asked him to
determine
whether we were prepared to support the escalating need for accurate
and
efficient data management and reporting. Robert quickly got up to
speed on
our internal and external issues and produced a thorough and highly
professional report. His recommendations provided a clear and concise
road
map of what we needed to do. He was timely, affordable and accessible
throughout the process, and his contribution to our organization was
invaluable."
Laura Brehm
President and CEO
The University of Montana Foundation
"Robert gave us the best advice possible, including a pragmatic
assessment
of where he was needed and where he wasn't. He can roll up his sleeves
and
work alongside staff, and present to the president with the best of
them.
It's hard to choose among his strengths-projects on budget and on time,
strategic as well as technical advice, and an unfailing sense of
perspective."
Dyan Sublett
(Former) Senior Vice President for Advancement
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
"When I was Director of Development for the San Francisco Ballet, Robert
played
a key role in assessing our technology needs, and guided us through a
thorough process of selecting new software. I've known Robert for 20
years
and have only the highest praise for his sensitive guidance, thoughtful
advice, and superb professionalism. He is the first person I turn to
for
technology issues."
Donna Blakemore
Associate Vice President for Advancement
San Francisco State University
"Working closely with Robert has been a pleasure. He's an
enthusiastic advocate with practical solutions to difficult problems.
His
support was invaluable during our recent database conversion."
Anita Lawson
(Former) Director, Advancement Services
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
"As a fundraising consultant, it is vitally important for me to have
technical consultants on whom I can depend. I recently provided
counsel on
a major donor campaign to a small community-based organization in San
Francisco. Robert was invaluable in offering that client advice
on
fundraising software that would fit their needs and their budget. The
client was very pleased--and so was I."
Bob Zimmerman
President
Zimmerman Lehman
"When he assessed our information systems area, Robert went beyond
offering suggestions based on his own experience and expertise to making connections for us
with other advancement services professionals. The assistance we received from these individuals continues
to add value to Robert's consulting assignment to this day."
Robert W. Burt
Vice President, University Advancement
California State University, East Bay
"Robert, we have enjoyed working with you immensely, and now feel we are
fully prepared to fly on our own with our new database. Thank you for your
encouragement to take the time to thoroughly assess our needs and your
step-by- step guidance through the process. It's been a few months now since
our data conversion, and we are still excited about the possibilities of our
new database and confident that you helped us make the right choice. Thank
you so much for your expert assistance!"
Janet Patterson
(Former) Development Administrator
Bay Area Video Coalition
"It was wonderful having the opportunity to have you consult with
New Connections and learn more about your approach and in-depth knowledge of the
field. Your thoughtful comments and critical thinking will help further NC's
approach to better planning, implementing and managing our approach to
'philanthropic activism'. I would not hesitate to recommend your consulting
services in the future."
Alan R. Stein, MPH, MS, MFT
Executive Director
New Connections
Counseling and Recovery Services
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